TEHRAN – Zurab Pololikashvili, the current ambassador of Georgia to Spain, has been elected as the forthcoming secretary general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Pololikashvili was elected on Thursday by consensus at the 22nd UNWTO General Assembly, which was held in Chengdu, China from September 11 to 16.

He will assume office for a four-year period starting in January 2018, replacing Taleb Rifai, who has held the position since 2010.

Pololikashvili secured nomination for the post at 105th UNWTO Executive Council held in Madrid in May, he was minister of economic development of Georgia in 2009-10 and deputy minister of foreign affairs in 2005-06, UNWTO website reported.

Over 1,300 delegates from more than 130 countries attended the biennial UNWTO meeting, which focused on sustainable development and tourism.

PHOTO: Zurab Pololikashvili (L front), newly-elected secretary-general of the UNWTO, hugs his predecessor Taleb Rifai, in Chengdu, China on Sept. 14, 2017.

AFM/MG