‘I am fully committed to leading UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO) with transparency, good governance and institutional integrity at its core. Upon my election as Secretary-General, I will ensure that decision-making is open, accountable and always guided by the best interests of all Member States’.
I firmly believe that tourism, as an engine of peace and development, deserves leadership that upholds the highest ethical standards and respects the principles of equity and inclusiveness’.
I am fully committed to leading UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO) with transparency, good governance and institutional integrity at its core. My commitment is to uphold the values of this institution, ensuring that it remains a reliable and effective force for positive global change.’
In addition, she publicly pledged not to seek more than two full terms as Secretary General, stressing that democratic rotation in leadership is not only desirable, but essential to preserve the legitimacy, innovation and credibility of international organisations.
‘In keeping with the long-established traditions of international organisations, I am committed to serving no more than two terms as Secretary-General. I believe that democratic rotation in leadership is essential to foster renewal, bring fresh perspectives and strengthen the credibility of UN Tourism. I invite other candidates to join me in committing to this principle.
With these statements, Guevara positions herself as a strong advocate of democratic values and calls on the other candidates to join this principle, setting an ethical standard in the framework of the race for the leadership of the agency.
In this sense, the candidate Harry Theoharis, former Minister of Tourism of Greece joined the call along the same lines with a statement entitled: ‘The third time is not the charm, it is a warning. The danger of a third term in global institutions such as the UNWTO’.
In his statement, Theoharis evoked a quote from Abraham Lincoln: ‘Almost all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power’. From that reflection, he warned of a dangerous trend towards the concentration of power in multilateral institutions with little external oversight.
‘When a Secretary General seeks a third term, it is not about continuity, it is about control. What began as an administration becomes a bastion. What was meant to serve many begins to revolve around one,’ he said.
Theoharis outlined his commitment to strengthened governance through transparent selection processes; and independent oversight to prevent abuses of power. He underlined that this is a time of change, with Member States demanding greater accountability and renewal.
In this transcendental scenario for the organisation, it is particularly important that the figures with the greatest support and projection know how to channel their coincidences towards institutional strengthening. The convergence of visions could pave the way for a more cohesive, transparent stage, aligned with the founding ideals of the United Nations.
