admin
Isdore Guvamombe in Livingstone, Zambia
Dr Taleb Rifai has been re-elected unopposed as secretary-general of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and will hold office for the next four years. Dr Rifai, who has been instrumental in keeping at bay Zimbabwe’s detractors who did not want the country to host the 20th session of the UNWTO general assembly in Victoria Falls, will serve his second four-year term.
President Mugabe and his Zambian counterpart Mr Michael Sata on Thursday night congratulated Dr Rifai and committed their two countries to coming up with tangible programmes and projects for tourism as a tool for economic growth and empowerment of local communities.
The UNWTO members at the 20th session of the general assembly decided to retain Dr Rifai by acclamation. The election follows the decision by the 95th session of the UNWTO executive council that sat in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 28 to recommend Dr Rifai as a nominee for the secretary-general’s post for the period 2014 to 2017.
In accordance with UNWTO statutes, his candidature was presented in Livingstone by Jordan, his country of origin. Dr Rifai has been secretary-general of the UNWTO since January 2010, after having served as deputy secretary-general since 2006.
Prior to his work at the UNWTO, Dr Rifai was the assistant director-general of the International Labour Organisation and served in several ministerial portfolios in the government of Jordan.
Online Reporter