Irina Bokova re-elected as head of UNESCO
12 November 2013 News
The first woman Director-General of UNESCO, Ms. Irina Bokova, will continue to head the organization for the next four years. This was decided today on the 37th session of the UNESCO General Conference, which re-elected Bokova for a second term with 160 votes " for" , against - 14, abstained - 1. The ceremony for her re-election will be held on November 18.
Irina Bokova graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, specializing in the universities in Maryland (Washington, DC ), John F. Kennedy School of Government (Harvard University). Ms. Bokova is a Bulgarian diplomat. She has served as a coordinator of Bulgaria - EU relations in the period 1995 - 1997, and was a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. In 2005 - 2009, she was an Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to France, Monaco and UNESCO, as well as a Representative of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria to the "Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie" (OIF).
On 4 October 2013, Irina Bokova was again nominated by UNESCO’s Executive Board for a second consecutive term as Director-General.
By Decree of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Irina Bokova is awarded the "Stara Planina" state order with ribbon for her exceptional merits to the Republic of Bulgaria, her great contribution for strengthening the peace and security in the worldand for the development of the political and cultural contracts on highest level.