Ivan Paligorov, Phd
Deputy Minister
Professor Ivan Paligorov, PhD, graduated from the University of Forestry with a degree in Forestry. His scientific interests lie in the fields of forest economics and management, forest policy, sustainable development, and forest valuation. His professional career has been closely tied to the University of Forestry since 1990, when he began as an Assistant Professor. In 1997, he was appointed Associate Professor in the Department of Resource Management and Environmental Protection, and in 2012, he attained the academic rank of Full Professor. His leadership experience at the university includes terms as Vice Dean and Dean of the Faculty of Business Management, as well as Vice Rector of the University of Forestry. Professor Paligorov has completed specialized training in Austria, the Czech Republic, Greece, Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom, focusing on forest economics, management, and policy.
He is the author and co-author of over 160 scientific publications and 12 books, including textbooks, monographs, and manuals. He has led or participated in 34 research projects and represents Bulgaria in the FAO (UN) international team of specialists on forest policy for Central and Eastern Europe.
For over three decades, Professor Paligorov has been an active member of the Union of Foresters in Bulgaria. A member since 1986, he joined its Executive Board in 1996 and has served as its Chairman since 2009.
From February 2 to May 12, 2017, he served as Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food, overseeing the Forestry portfolio.
He is fluent in English and Russian and has a working knowledge of German.