UNWTO Secretary General Nominee  Ambassador Zurab Pololikashvili from Georgia will not be confirmed at the upcoming General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization in Chengdu, China without a fight and tough questions.

Dr. Walter Mzembi, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality from Zimbabwe made it clear today and sealed his concern and his country is requesting UNWTO to add a discussion on the election process to become a new agenda item at the upcoming UNWTO General Assembly in China.

The problem?  This WorldTourismWire article by World Tourism Wire summarizes it:
http://worldtourismwire.com/unwto-election-a-second-open-letter-from-cairo-expanding-the-movement-against-zurab-pololikashvili-1577/

Mzembi told eTN today: “If I can’t convert all this lengthy deployment in tourism into a pillar of courage and oversight service to the organization at this hour when it needs most. I will not live with my conscience intact for the rest of my life. Even if I am the only one, so be it a majority of one in the service of global tourism.”

Today Zimbabwe’s minister officially wrote to UNWTO Secretary General Dr. Taleb Rifai:

PROPOSAL FOR THE INCLUSION OF NEW AGENDA ITEMS ON THE PROVISIONAL AGENDA OF THE 22ND SESSION OF THE UNWTO GENERAL ASSEMBLY; CHENGDU, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA: 11-16 SEPTEMBER 2017.

With reference to Rule 5 of the Rules of the UNWTO General Assembly, the Agenda of a General Assembly includes “any items proposed by a Member of the Organisation.” Subsequently, the rule states that, “a member who wishes to include an item on the Agenda is required to transmit the proposal to the Secretary General at least thirty days before the opening of the session.”

In terms of the forthcoming 22nd Session of the UNWTO General Assembly to be held in Chengdu, Peoples Republic of China, from 11-16 September 2017, it is imperative that the proposed Agenda Items be submitted to the Secretary General before 11 August 2017.

It is, therefore, in this context that Zimbabwe would like to propose two new Agenda items under Agenda 9 as follows;

Agenda 9: Election of the Secretary General of the Organisation.

a) Discussion of the UNWTO Executive Council Elections of Secretary General (2018-2021), held in Madrid, Spain, 12 May 2017.

b) Discussion of the UNWTO Rules of Procedure on the conduct of elections.

c) Appointment of the Secretary General for the period 2018-2021 on the recommendation of the Executive Council (Original Agenda Item 9 becomes 9c).

In thanking you for your consideration of the foregoing request, I would also ask that you accept the assurances of my highest consideration.

Hon Dr Walter Mzembi (M.P.)
MINISTER OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE
UNWTO REGIONAL COMMISSION FOR AFRICA (CAF) CHAIR