Irina Bokova began her tenure as Director-General of UNESCO on 15 November 2009, becoming the first woman and the first individual from Southeastern Europe to lead the agency. Her career spans decades of Bulgarian diplomacy and international governance, beginning in the late 1970s and extending to her leadership roles within global academic and policy-focused organizations.
Diplomatic Beginnings and Ministerial Service
Born in Sofia in 1952, Bokova pursued an education at the First English Language School and later the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. She began working at the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1977, serving as an intern and later as a third secretary in the Department of UN and Disarmament. By the mid-1990s, she held positions within the cabinet of Prime Minister Zhan Videnov, including serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs in an interim capacity between November 1996 and February 1997.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Parliamentary and Presidential Representation
Bokova served two terms as a member of the Bulgarian National Assembly. Her first parliamentary term occurred during the 7th Grand National Assembly from 1990 to 1991. She returned to the legislature during the 39th National Assembly, serving from 2001 to 2005 as a representative for the Coalition for Bulgaria. Additionally, she functioned as the personal representative of the Bulgarian president to the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie from 2005 to 2009.
UNESCO Leadership
In 2009, Bokova was elected as the Director-General of UNESCO, succeeding Koïchiro Matsuura. During her two terms, which concluded in 2017, she focused on initiatives regarding gender equality, education, and the protection of intellectual goods to prevent the funding of terrorism. Prior to her election as Director-General, she had represented Bulgaria as an ambassador to both France and Monaco, as well as serving as the Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.
Academic and Civil Society Engagement
Beyond her government work, Bokova has engaged in academic and institutional research. Her educational background includes programs at the University of Maryland and an executive leadership course at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. In 2021, she was elected as a Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science. She also serves as a co-founder and member of GWL Voices.
Fast facts
- Born: 1952, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Director-General of UNESCO: 2009–2017
- Minister of Foreign Affairs (ad interim): 1996–1997
- Ambassador of Bulgaria to France: 2005–2009
- Education: Moscow State Institute of International Relations
- Member of: Academia Europaea
- Award: Order of Stara Planina (2014)
Questions readers ask
Was Irina Bokova the first female Director-General of UNESCO?
Yes, she became the first woman to hold the position upon her appointment in 2009.
Which countries did Bokova serve as an ambassador for?
She served as the Ambassador of Bulgaria to France and to the Principality of Monaco.
Achievements
- Minister of Foreign Affairs (1996–1997)
- Director-General of UNESCO (2009–2017)
- Ambassador of Bulgaria to France (2005–2009)
- Special Guest of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (1990–1992)
- Commander of the Legion of Honour
- Officer of the National Order of Quebec — 2017
- Order of Stara Planina — 2014
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun of Peru
- Educated at Moscow State Institute of International Relations and John F. Kennedy School of Government
