Irina Bokova is a Bulgarian politician and diplomat who served as the Director-General of UNESCO from 2009 to 2017. She was the first woman to hold this position and focused on promoting education, cultural diversity, and freedom of expression during her tenure. Bokova has also held various roles in the Bulgarian government and international organizations. Born on July 12, 1952, in Sofia, Bulgaria, Bokova studied at Moscow State University and later earned a degree in international relations. Throughout her career, she has been an advocate for sustainable development and has worked to strengthen international cooperation in education and culture.