In an unexpected move, the Georgian government has rescinded its backing of Zurab Pololikashvili, their intended candidate for the Secretary-General position at the UN Tourism Secretariat come 2026. Official sources have indicated this was a unilateral decision, adding that Georgia won't be putting forward a different candidate. Instead, they've voiced support for Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, the United Arab Emirates' nominee.
Georgia’s Withdrawal and Official Statement
A government spokesperson, as reported by the Georgian news outlet Interpressnews, clarified the situation: “The Georgian government did indeed submit Zurab Pololikashvili's name for consideration as Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. However, the UN Tourism candidacy has since been withdrawn under our own volition. Claims suggesting this withdrawal stems from another specific candidate are purely speculative, generally speaking. And yes, we are indeed confirming Georgia will now be supporting the UAE's candidate for the Secretary-General role at the United Nations World Tourism Organization.”
With this withdrawal, there remain five in contention for the UN Tourism leadership position: Mexico, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Ghana, and Tunisia.
Zurab Pololikashvili’s Background
Pololikashvili has been serving as UN Tourism Secretary-General since January 2018 and was looking to secure a third term. He took over from Taleb Rifai of Jordan. Prior to his UN Tourism role, Pololikashvili occupied key positions in Georgia, including serving as ambassador to Spain, Minister of Economic Development, and also Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. In addition to these roles, he once acted as the general manager of FC Dinamo Tbilisi, which is Georgia’s leading professional football club.
However, the attempt at a third term encountered hurdles. Back in October 2023, during the UNWTO General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, a proposal to renew his mandate for an additional term was rejected. It's worth noting that Spain, a very important player in the tourism world, did not endorse this proposal.
Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais: The UAE's Nominee and Perspective
Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, the candidate from the UAE, brings a robust business background to the table, in most cases. She graduated from Zayed University in Dubai with a degree in Business Administration and currently works as Vice President of Corporate Relationship Management for the Rotana Group. Rotana is a prominent hotel management company that operates across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkey. As part of the group’s family, she has very close ties to the hospitality industry. Before Rotana, Al Nowais spent around three years at KPMG in Abu Dhabi, getting experience in auditing.
Means for UN Tourism Leadership
Georgia's support for Al Nowais shows a potential strategic shift and could alter the race's dynamics. With those five candidates still remaining, the competition for the UN Tourism Secretariat’s top spot is certainly intensifying. This organization, which has a critical role in guiding global tourism policy, will see a new leader come 2026, who could steer its priorities in potentially quite different directions.
As the selection process moves forward, the world will be watching carefully to see how each candidate presents their vision for what the future holds for global tourism.
Zurab Pololikashvili's tenure as Secretary General of UN Tourism—previously known as UNWTO—has seen a steady shift in the organization's focus. There's a perception that the agency is increasingly tailored to advance his own needs. Competition seems to have been sidelined, and adjustments to UN protocols have apparently occurred. Critics allege that incentives are deployed to secure votes for his re-election. What's more, it's been claimed that rivals have faced exclusion from important gatherings. Furthermore, access to UN Tourism events is said to be barred for journalists voicing dissent—a matter of some concern, certainly.