On Sept 30, the Ceremony of the Chinese Government Friendship Award was held at the Great Hall of the People to honor foreign experts working in the country for their contributions to the nation's development. Irina Bokova, honorary dean of the School of International Organizations at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and honorary director of BFSU's Research Center of the United Nations and International Organizations, was honored with the 2025 Chinese Government Friendship Award.

During the event, State Councilor Shen Yiqin presented Bokova with the medal in recognition of her outstanding contributions to advancing China's participation in global governance, promoting intercultural dialogue, and nurturing talent for international organizations.

Bokova is the fourth foreign expert from BFSU to receive this prestigious award.

Irina Bokova at the Ceremony of the Chinese Government Friendship Award in Beijing. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]  

Bokova is a globally influential expert in the field of international organizations and global governance.

She served as the Director-General of UNESCO from 2009 to 2017. During her tenure, she demonstrated exceptional leadership in guiding the organization through various challenges, maintaining its global leadership in education, natural and human sciences, culture, and communication and information. She facilitated the inclusion of 11 Chinese cities in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and the addition of nine significant Chinese cultural heritage sites to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Furthermore, she played a key role in establishing the UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education in collaboration with China, significantly contributing to the advancement of education for girls and women worldwide. Additionally, Bokova actively promoted the signing of an agreement with the Chinese government to establish internship and junior professional officer programs, making UNESCO the first UN agency to engage in such cooperation with China, thereby opening pathways for Chinese talent to enter international organizations.

Since being appointed at BFSU in September 2023, she has diligently fulfilled her duties and focused on nurturing talent. She has delivered keynote speeches at major international events such as the Global Civilization Forum and the Beijing Cultural Forum, organized or participated in by the university. Her contributions have significantly enriched the BFSU's efforts in cultivating talent for global governance and international organizations, as well as in developing regional and country-specific studies.

The Chinese Government Friendship Award is the highest award established by the Chinese government to honor foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive. Since its official establishment in 1991, 1,998 experts from over 80 countries and regions have received this award.

Bokova's receipt of this award is a high recognition of her long-term commitment to promoting cultural exchange between China and other countries and supporting China's participation in global governance. It also fully affirms the effectiveness of BFSU's efforts in attracting international talent.