Dr. Irina Bokova is the former Director-General of UNESCO (2009-2017), and the first woman to hold the position. She also served as Bulgaria's ambassador to France and to Monaco and was Bulgaria's Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. She is the Founder and Chairperson of the European Policy Forum (since its inception in Sofia in 1997). Dr. Bokova advocates for women’s empowerment, education, and sustainable development.