The UN called the possible suspension of Russia's membership in the UNWTO «pernicious»

The United Nations logo at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Archival photoUN, March 18 Suspension of Russia's membership in the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) could create a disastrous precedent, UN Secretary General Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, told RIA Novosti. Assembly, where the question of the suspension of Russia's membership due to events in Ukraine will be decided. «As you know, the Secretary General has no authority over the UN World Tourism Organization, which is a specialized agency of the UN system. <…> However he believes that this could set a detrimental precedent for the functioning of the multilateral system,» Dujarric said. The Executive Board of the World Tourism Organization previously held the first ever meeting to discuss a proposal to suspend Russia's membership, initiated by Guatemala, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia and Ukraine. The holding of the extraordinary General Assembly was supported by 72 percent of the meeting participants.