The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) has entered a strategic partnership with the E1 Series to promote sustainable mobility and tourism using the global appeal of electric motorsport.
The collaboration is anchored in a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aligning two global platforms to advance sustainable, low-carbon travel experiences tied to sporting events.
According a statement by UNWTO, the agreement was signed by E1 Series founder and Chairman Alejandro Agag – who has also been appointed a UN Tourism Special Ambassador for Sport – and Zurab Pololikashvili, UN Tourism Secretary-General, on E1 Monaco race day.
E1 races around the world visiting iconic locations from Jeddah and Doha to Dubrovnik, and will soon travel to Lagos in Africa and then onto Miami for the 2025 season finale. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The intersection of sports and tourism offers immense potential for sustainable development, economic growth, and the promotion of cultural exchange. Our agreement with E1 Series is a step forward in realising this potential.”
The intersection of sports and tourism offers immense potential for sustainable development, economic growth, and the promotion of cultural exchange. Joining the Secretary-General in signing the agreement, E1 founder and Chairman, Alejandro Agag, said: “This agreement between E1 and UN Tourism is a pivotal moment for sustainable sports tourism. Following my recent recognition for advancing electric mobility, I’m even more committed to demonstrating how sport can be a powerful catalyst for positive environmental change. By combining E1’s electric marine technology with UN Tourism’s global reach and expertise, we can create memorable experiences for fans while helping advance the protection of our marine environments.”
His appointment highlights Mr Agag’s dedication to driving sustainability into motorsport, promoting initiatives that align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, UN Tourism and E1 Series will collaborate on initiatives that contribute to the achievement of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). Together, both organisations will raise public awareness and promote action in marine conservation, prioritising the protection and restoration of diverse coastal and marine ecosystems.
Every year, more than 180 million international tourists travel to attend sport events around the world from global to local tournaments. Sport connects people across borders and cultures, creating shared experiences and lasting legacies. With an approximate value of $685 billion in 2024, and with a 17.5% annual growth rate, sports tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors within tourism. The tourism and sports sectors are closely linked via their impact both socially and culturally and their roles in economic diversification and social development. The collaboration between UN Tourism and E1 Series will contribute to advancing the understanding of sports tourism’s potential.
About the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF
E1 is the world’s first and only all-electric raceboat championship sanctioned by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the international governing body for powerboating activities. The UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF was established to create a new, exciting and competitive on-water racing Championship using electric technologies to focus efforts on innovations that help protect and restore our urban waters and coastal areas.
The Championship sees teams featuring both a male and female pilot. Racing on the water in iconic cities around the world including Jeddah, Doha, Monaco, and Miami, teams are owned by some of the biggest names on the planet. These already include Will Smith, Marc Anthony and Steve Aoki from the world of entertainment, LeBron James, Rafael Nadal, Tom Brady, Virat Kohli and Didier Drogba from the world of sport and Marcelo Claure from the world of business. E1 pilots navigate tight and technical circuits behind the wheel of the electric RaceBirds.
