Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais of the United Arab Emirates picked up a key endorsement this week in her campaign to become the next Secretary-General of UN Tourism, as the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs threw its support behind her candidacy.
Al Nowais, if elected, would be the first woman form the Middle East to lead the organization.
Georgia had previously supported the candidacy of incumbent Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, who ended his re-election bid this past week.
Five candidates now remain in the race to head UN Tourism, formerly known as the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which is a specialized agency of the United Nations, headquartered in New York City.
The agency collaborates with 160 Member States, six Associate Members, and over 500 Affiliate Members to position tourism as a key driver of economic growth, inclusive development, and environmental sustainability. The Secretary-General serves as the chief administrative officer, overseeing the implementation of the organization’s programs and strategies, managing the Secretariat, representing UN Tourism at international forums, and guiding the organization’s work in areas such as tourism policy, education, and statistics.
The election process involves a recommendation by the UN Tourism Executive Council, scheduled for May 29–30, 2025, in Madrid. The final appointment will be made by the General Assembly during its 26th session in Riyadh between November 7–11, 2025.
The remaining five officially proclaimed candidates are Muhammad Adam of Ghana, Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais of the United Arab Emirates, Habib Ammar of Tunisia, Gloria Guevara of Mexico, and Harry Theoharis of Greece.
Shaikha Al Nowais’s nomination is particularly noteworthy, as she would be the first woman from the Middle East to lead UN Tourism if elected. Her candidacy reflects the UAE’s commitment to empowering Emirati women in leadership roles and promoting the growth and sustainability of the global tourism sector, reported The Gulf Observer.
Zurab Pololikashvili, the current Secretary-General, was seeking re-election for a third term.
UN Tourism plays a crucial role in collecting and disseminating tourism statistics, providing insights on key indicators for inbound and outbound tourism at global, regional, and national levels. The organization’s data dashboard offers comprehensive information on tourist arrivals, tourism’s share of exports, contribution to GDP, and more.
As the election approaches, the global tourism community awaits the selection of a leader who will guide the sector through its ongoing recovery and future development.
