As United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon prepares to leave office at the end of the year, China has picked Irina Bokova, the Bulgarian head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), to replace him.

Yang Zewei, a specialist on international organizations from Wuhan University, said Beijing would opt for Bokova over the other candidates vying for the position given her credibility and integrity.

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"Her strength is not confined to her gender or origin. Her experience in leading UNESCO, an international organization not a nation, gives her more neutrality and credibility," Yang said.

Impartial

Yang said Bokova has proven her impartiality at UNESCO and has a reputation for seeking dialogue to resolve conflicts among multiple stakeholders.

He said Bokova is a reliable leader and would not be seen as taking sides in dealing with conflicts or acting in the interest of any particular nation.

Yang said Bokova is the perfect candidate to fill the position since she has the advantage of cordial relations with the US and Russia.

First female head of UNESCO

Bokova is the first female and the first person from Eastern Europe to lead UNESCO. She studied at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1976 where she received her master's degree. She also studied at Harvard and other universities in the United States.

Zhang Guihong, a professor and executive director at the ­Centre for United Nations Studies at Fudan University, said UNESCO and Beijing have enjoyed good ties under Bokova's leadership.

"Beijing would be more comfortable cooperating with a familiar leader," he pointed out.

UN head

Ban has been pushing the UN to elect a female secretary-general after eight males have served in the position over seven decades. In the history of the UN, no leader from Eastern Europe has been elected as the head of the global organization.

Ban has not publicly expressed support for any particular candidate. However, he has said that there are many qualified women who can head the UN.

"There are many distinguished, motivated women leaders who can really change this world, who can actively engage with the other leaders of the world," he said.

There are five female candidates vying for the position including Bokova from Bulgaria; Helen Clark from New Zealand; Natalia Gherman from Moldova; Christiana Figueres from Costa Rica; and Susan Malcorra from Argentina. 

TagsUN, UNESCO, Irina Bokova, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, china