Armenia’s bid falls flat in high-stakes UN Tourism Council vote

Armenia failed to secure a seat on the Executive Council of UN Tourism, finishing last among nine candidate countries vying for five positions allocated to the European region for the 2025–2029 term.

The elections, held on June 5, saw intense competition, with nine European nations contending for limited representation within the 35-member governing body of UN Tourism, a critical institution shaping global tourism policy and cooperation. Azerbaijan emerged victorious with a strong showing, securing its seat on the Council with a margin of 26 votes, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The successful candidates—Greece, Slovenia, Croatia, France, and Greece again noted with 23 votes—reflect the European Union’s coordinated efforts to prioritize its member states in the electoral process. In what appears to be a deliberate strategic alignment, the EU's backing proved decisive, ensuring the election of its preferred candidates.

Despite traditionally receiving support from certain international circles, Armenia was conspicuously absent from the EU's list of priorities in this round of voting. In a striking departure from past trends, Armenia failed to gain traction, ultimately garnering just 11 votes—placing it at the bottom of the list of contenders.

By Vafa Guliyeva