Irina G. Bokova

Irina Bokova is a Bulgarian diplomat, politician, and from 2009-2017 she was the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  She was the first woman to lead the Organization.  Bokova joined the United Nations Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria in 1977. Appointed in charge of political and legal affairs at the Permanent Mission of Bulgaria to the United Nations in New York, she was also a member of the Bulgarian Delegation at the United Nations conferences on the equality of women in Copenhagen (1980), Nairobi (1985) and Beijing (1995). Bokova also served as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador of Bulgaria to France, Monaco and UNESCO (2005-2009).  As Secretary of the Council of Ministers for European integration and as Foreign Minister, advocated for European integration.