Directors-General
A new Director-General is elected every four years (previously every six years) by the General Conference. Under his/her authority, the Secretariat is expected to implement the programmes approved by the General Conference. The list of Directors-General since UNESCO’s establishment is as follows:
2009-
Irina Bokova (Bulgaria)
1999-2009
Koïchiro Matsuura (Japan)
1987-1999
Federico Mayor (Spain)
1974-1987
Amadou-Mahtar M'Bow (Senegal)
1962 - 1974 (acting DG 1959, 1961-1962)
René Maheu (France)
1958 - 1961
Vittorino Veronese (Italy)
1953 - 1958
Luther Evans (United States)
1952 - 1953 (acting DG)
John W. Taylor (United States)
1948 - 1952
Jaime Torres Bodet (Mexico)
1946 - 1948
Julian Huxley (United Kingdom)