Aktuelna ambasadorica Bugarske u Francuskoj i stalni delegat pri UNESCO-u izabrana je za generalnu direktoricu uz podršku 31 od ukupno 58 članova izvršnog odbora tog tijela za obrazovanje, nauku i kulturu. 57-godišnja Bokova porazila je kontroverznog egipatskog ministra kulture, 71-godišnjeg Farouka Hosnija, koji je dobio preostalih 27 glasova.
Bulgaria's current ambassador to France and permanent delegate to UNESCO was elected director-general with the support of 31 of all 58 members of the education, science and culture body's executive board. Bokova, 57, defeated controversial Egyptian Culture Minister Farouk Hosni, 71, who received the remaining 27 votes.