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Patrick Chitumba in Livingstone, Zambia
UNITED Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) secretary-general Mr Taleb Rifai has been re-elected unopposed for the next four years.
Mr Rifai was the only candidate for the post of secretary general and by the organisation’s rules and regulations (Article 43), he retains the position for next four years.
Mr Rifai was 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 and Livingstone, Zambia.
President Mugabe and his Zambian counterpart Mr Michael Sata on Wednesday evening congratulated Mr Rifai and committed their two countries to coming up with tangible programmes and projects to use tourism as a tool for economic growth and empowerment of local communities and individuals.
The election follows the decision by the 95th session of the UNWTO executive council that sat in Belgrade, Serbia, on May 28 this year, to recommend Mr Rifai as a nominee of the secretary general post.
In accordance with UNWTO statutes, his candidature was presented in Livingstone by Jordan, his country of origin.
Prior to his work at the UNWTO, Mr Rifai was the assistant director general of the International Labour Organisation and served in several ministerial portfolios in the government of Jordan.
From 1999 to 2003, he served in several ministerial portfolios in the government of Jordan, first, as Minister of Planning and International Cooperation in charge of development agenda and bilateral as well as multilateral relationships with donors and agencies.
Mr Rifai was subsequently appointed Minister of Information, in which capacity he was spokesman of the government of Jordan.
He was also in charge of communication and public media.
During his tenure, he embarked on restructuring public media and in particular the Jordan Television Network. In 2001, his portfolio was expanded to include the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquity.
During his term as Minister of Tourism and Antiquity, he established Jordan’s first Archaeological Park in the ancient city of Petra in collaboration with Unesco and the World Bank.
He also realised several large projects in Jerash, the Dead Sea and Wadi Rum.
As Minister of Tourism, Mr Rifai was the chairman of the Jordan Tourism Board, president of the Ammon School for Tourism and Hospitality and was elected chairman of the Executive Council of the UNWTO in 2001.
Online Reporter