Taleb Rifai

Taleb Rifai (born 1949) is a Jordanian businessman and politician, who was the Secretary-General of the United Nations' World Tourism Organization[1] between 2010 and 2017.

First, he was appointed Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, in charge of Jordan's Development Agenda and bilateral and multilateral relationships with donors and agencies.

[4] In 2001, his portfolio was expanded to include the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquity, where he established Jordan's first Archaeological Park in the ancient city of Petra in collaboration with UNESCO and the World Bank.

[4] Prior to assuming his post at the UNWTO, Taleb Rifai was the Assistant Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) for three consecutive years.

[8] Zurab Pololikashvili, Ambassador of Georgia to Spain, Morocco, Algeria and Andorra, was appointed as Rifai's successor as Secretary General of the UNWTO for the period 2018–2021.