GD Government Withdraws Support for Pololikashvili’s UNWTO Candidacy
The Georgian Dream government has withdrawn its support for Zurab Pololikashvili’s bid for a third term as the Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization. Georgia will instead support the candidate nominated by the United Arab Emirates, the GD government administration confirmed, adding that Pololikashvili’s candidacy was withdrawn at his own request.
The announcement follows a report by The Diplomat in Spain, an online news outlet, which called the deal an “shocking political maneuver” to replace the current UN Tourism Secretary General. The report claimed that the GD had been allegedly preparing to withdraw support for Pololikashvili as part of “a covert agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to back the UAE’s candidate, Shaikha Al Nowais, for the position.”
The publication also claimed that this move “has raised serious concerns among international tourism community, as it appears to be a strategic alignment of Georgia with the Russian Federation.” It notes that Pololikashvili “led the entire process in suspending Russia’s membership in the Organization back in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine”, noting that this was a bold stance that set a precedent within the United Nations system and were seen as a “significant moral stand against Russia’s invasion over Ukraine.”
After the Russian Federation was suspended from the organization following its invasion of Ukraine during his term, Pololikashvili said that the decision sent a clear message that tourism is a pillar of peace and international friendship, and “Members of UNWTO must uphold these values or face consequences, with no exceptions.” He added that “Russia’s actions are indefensible and contrary to the very principles of UNWTO and of international governance.”
Pololikashvili was first elected as Secretary-General in 2018 and re-elected in January 2021 for a second term covering 2022–2025. Nominated by Georgia, he won 76% of the secret ballot during the 113th session of the UNWTO Executive Council, defeating Bahrain’s candidate, Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa.
Before his role at the UNWTO, Pololikashvili served as Georgia’s Ambassador to Spain from 2012 to 2017. He was Minister of Economic Development from 2009 to 2010 and Deputy Foreign Minister from 2005 to 2006.
The nominating ceremony for a candidate for Secretary-General will be held on May 30, 2025, and will require support from at least 18 of the Council’s 35 members. If no candidate reaches a majority in the first round, additional rounds will be held among the top contenders until a consensus is reached.
The UNWTO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism. It includes 159 member states, six associate members, and more than 500 affiliate members representing the private sector, academia, tourism associations, and local authorities.
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