WASHINGTON, DC – The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) is pleased to announce that Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), will receive the 2016 HCEF Global Leadership Award at HCEF’s 18th International Conference and Awards Banquet, Forging a New Bond of Solidarity for Equality, Prosperity and Peace. The Awards Banquet will take place on Oct. 14, 2016 at the Washington Marriott Georgetown.

UNWTO Advisor on Tourism and Culture to the Secretary General Jin-Yung Woo has announced he will be accepting the award on Dr. Rifai’s behalf.

HCEF President/CEO, Sir Rateb Rabie, KCHS, stated, “The HCEF Global Leadership Award honors individuals who play a vital international role that promotes understanding and action in support of the Holy Land as well as its people and culture. This award publicly recognizes the decades of dedication Dr. Rifai has given to HCEF’s mission.”

Dr. Rifai is currently the unanimously elected Secretary-General of the UNWTO based in Madrid, Spain, a position he was unanimously elected to and has held since January 1st, 2010. Previously, Dr. Rifai served in several ministerial portfolios in the Government of Jordan as Minister of Tourism and Antiquities; Minister of Information; and, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation. During his term as Minister of Tourism, Dr. Rifai served as Chairman of the Executive Council of the UNWTO. From 1997 to 2000, he was CEO of the Jordan Cement Company, one of the largest public shareholding companies in Jordan; and directed the first large-scale privatization and restructuring scheme in Jordan. Dr. Rifai was also actively involved in policy making and developing investment strategies in his capacity as Director General of the Investment Promotion Corporation (IPC) in Jordan from 1995 to 1997. From 1993 to 1995, Dr. Rifai headed Jordan’s first Economic Mission to Washington DC, promoting trade, investments, and economic relations between Jordan and the USA.

HCEF invites you to advocate for the Palestinian Christians. Please join HCEF in honoring Dr. Taleb Rifai by participating in the 18th International Conference in Washington, DC.

Visit www.hcef.org or email conference@hcef.org for more information.