Irina Bokova is the new Director-General of UNESCO. She won the position after four rounds of voting. The other main contender for the position was the Egyptian Farukh Hosni.

“I’m very happy, this is a great victory for Bulgaria. A Bulgarian citizen will lead such an influential international organization”, said the Bulgarian vice-minister of foreign relations Marin Raikov. “This success justifies the trust of the new government in Irina Bokova”, added he.

The new Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova was chosen with 31 supporting her.

France expressed their full support for the new Director-General of UNESCO immediately:

” A woman of honor, ex-ambassador of Bulgaria in France and a constant representative of her country in UNESCO, Irina Bokova is a person with experience on the international and European scene. She will be very valuable in this position”, states the communique of the foreign ministry of France.

“This is the first time UNESCO has a woman director. This is also the first time a candidate from a Central European country – Bulgaria – will take such a high position”, concludes the document.