At the 37th meeting of the Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific (RDAP) in Jakarta, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili faced criticism for allegedly using the conference to promote his bid for a third term. This has raised concerns about the ethics and transparency of the election process.
Critics argue that Pololikashvili should have stepped down after announcing his candidacy to ensure a fair election. Instead, he continued in his role, allowing him to utilize organizational resources for campaigning, while other candidates lacked similar access, placing them at a disadvantage.
Furthermore, Pololikashvili’s emphasis on expanding the regional office in Nara, Japan, is seen by some as an attempt to garner support in the Asia-Pacific region. Collaborations with China, including joint educational programs, have also sparked debate, suggesting political motivations behind the Secretary-General’s initiatives.
These developments cast doubt on the transparency and integrity of UN Tourism, undermining trust in the organization and its leadership.
