UNESCO’s first female leader from Bulgaria… succeeds in reelection

 

ⓒ UNESCO/Emilien Urbano
ⓒ UNESCO/Emilien Urbano

UNESCO(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Director-General Irina Bokova has been appointed to a second term as the head of UNESCO at the UNESCO’s general conference held on the 12th in Paris, France. Director-General Bokova, who was elected with majority of the support at the election held during the 192nd session of UNESCO’s Executive Board on 4th of last month, will now be steering the Organization for 4 more years.

Director-General Bokova, who was elected as the first-ever female head of UNESCO in 2009, is from Bulgaria, and served as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Ambassador of Bulgaria to France, Monaco, and UNESCO.

However, Bokova’s second term is not expected to be a smooth path. According to Korean National Commission for UNESCO, as the US and Israel suspended donations, which take up 22% of the UNESCO budget, the Organization is facing financial difficulties. In fact, she announced at the general conference last month for a restructuring, which will affect about 280 staffs.

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