Irina Bokova, born in Sofia, Bulgaria, has been two terms the Director-General of UNESCO from 2009 to 2017.

Bokova was actively engaged in the adoption of the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030, particularly Goal 4 on “Inclusive and equitable quality education and life-long learning for all », as well the protection of the world’s cultural heritage against the destruction by extremists in Mali, Syria and Iraq. As a result, the UN Security Council adopted in 2017 the landmark Resolution 2347 declaring for the first time the link between peace and security and the protection of cultural heritage.

Bokova was on the Forbes List of the world’s most influential women for 2016.

In 2020 she was elected International Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in the category of Scientific, Cultural and Non-profit Leadership.