The new candidate nominated for the post of UNESCO Director-General is the Bulgarian diplomat Irina Gueorguieva Bokova. Irina Bokova was chosen by the UNESCO Executive Board after her candidacy obtained the majority of ballots in the fifth voting round.

Born in Sofia in 1952, Ms Bokova’s professional experience includes deputy minister of Foreign Affairs (1995-97) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1996-97) in Bulgaria. Furthermore, as a candidate for the post of Vice President of Bulgaria in 1996, she has been a proponent for Bulgaria’s membership in NATO and the European Union. Currently, Ms Bokova is the Ambassador of Bulgaria to France and a Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.

Irina Bokova will assume the new position after her nomination has been approved by the UNESCO General Conference on 15 October. She will be the first woman to head the organisation.

UNESCO