UNESCO’s Executive Board has designated Irina Gueorguieva Bokova as candidate to the post of Director-General. On 15 October, the nomination will be submitted to the approval of the General Conference, which brings together representatives of the Organization’s 193 Member States. Irina Gueorguieva Bokova is currently the Ambassador of Bulgaria to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. The outgoing Director-General, Koïchiro Matsuura from Japan, whose second mandate ends in November 2009, was elected in 1999.
According to UNESCO’s Constitution, the Director-General is nominated by the Executive Board and appointed by the General Conference for a period of four years. The Director-General may be reappointed for a second term of four years, but shall not be eligible for a subsequent term.
During its 182nd session (7-23 September), the Executive Board, which has 58 members, interviewed all the proposed candidates and discussed the outcome in a private meeting. The vote (by secret ballot and by a majority of the votes) also took place in a private meeting.
The General Conference will examine the proposal and decide on it by secret ballot. |
