Opinion

UNWTO Secretary General Race: Final list of candidates

The Secretariat of the World Tourism Organization referring to decision CE/DEC/15(CIV) of the Executive Council at its 104th session (Luxor, Egypt, 30 October – 1 November 2016), on the procedure for the election of the Secretary-General, informs in regards to the election for the post of Secretary-General for the period 2018-2021, that as of 11 March 2017, 24:00 hours, Madrid time, the deadline for the submission of candidatures in accordance with the aforementioned decision, the following candidatures were complete and duly accompanied by the required documents (letter of the candidate, curriculum vitae, statement of policy and management intent and a certificate of good health signed by a recognized medical facility), along with the letter of support from the Government of the country endorsing a candidate (listed in alphabetical order of the Member State):

Armenia:

Mr. Vahan Martirosyan submitted with the support of the Government of Armenia and received on 10 March 2017;

Brazil:

Mr. Márcio Favilla submitted with the support of the Government of Brazil and received on 6 March 2017;

Colombia:

Mr. Jaime Alberto Cabal Sanclemente submitted with the support of the Government of Colombia and received on 6 March 2017;

Georgia:

Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili submitted with the support of the Government of Georgia and received on 2 December 2016;

Republic of Korea:

Mrs. Young-shim Dho submitted with the support of the Government of the Republic of Korea and received on 24 February 2017;

Seychelles:

Mr. Alain St. Ange submitted with the support of the Government of Seychelles and received on 18 January 2017;

Zimbabwe:

Mr. Walter Mzembi submitted with the support of the Government of Zimbabwe and received on 4 March 2017;

The Secretariat received seven other applications which were not accompanied by the required documents. Consequently, the applications will not be submitted to the 105th session of the Executive Council.

Ministers & CEO

Armenia’s minister of tourism Vahan Martirosyan enters UNWTO Secretary general race

The Hon. Vahan Martirosyan, minister of tourism for Armenia is the latest out of 7 candidates competing for the post of the UNWTO Secretary General.

Not many relevant news items in regards to the ministers connection and experience in global tourism was found, but here is some key data on Vahan Martirosyan:

Date and Place of Birth
October 28, 1962, Yerevan

Education
1979-1984, K. Marx Polytechnic Institute in Yerevan, qualification of engineer-radio technician

Work Experience
1984 – 2000, Yerevan Electrical Equipment Plant, engineer-constructor,
constructor bureau chief, deputy chief engineer
2000 – 2006, Cornet-AM CJSC Director General
2006, ArmenTel CJSC Commercial Director
2006 – 2010, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cornet-AM CJSC
2008 – 2012, GNC- Alpha CJSC, Chairman of the Board of Directors
2012-2016, GNC- Alpha CJSC, Chairman of the Board of Directors
As of September 20, 2016, Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Armenia
As of October 6, 2016, Minister of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies

Other Information
Liable to military service; reserve officer; Candidate of Technical Sciences.

Political Affiliation
Republican Party of Armenia

Marital Status
Married, with one child