Taleb Rifai was the Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), until the end of 2017. He originally took up the position in 2010, and was elected for a second four-year term in 2013.

He has a background in international and national public service, the private sector and academia.

Holding a PhD in urban design and regional planning, an MA in engineering and architecture and a BSc in engineering and architecture, Taleb was initially involved in research, teaching and practising architecture and urban design in Jordan and the US.

He then went on to hold positions including assistant director general of the International Labour Organisation, several ministerial portfolios in the Jordanian government, Director of the Economic Mission to Washington DC and Director General of the Investment Promotion Corporation of Jordan.