In a significant diplomatic victory for Bangladesh, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman was elected president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this past Tuesday.
The election saw a competitive race with 190 UN member states casting their votes. Minister Rahman secured the position with 99 votes, prevailing over Andreas S. Kakouris, the special envoy of Cyprus's foreign minister for multilateralism, who received 91 votes.
Having been sworn in as Bangladesh's foreign minister in February 2026, Rahman is set to take the helm of the UNGA when the session convenes in September this year for a one-year term.
A Vision for a Challenged World
Accepting the role with "humility and respect," Rahman acknowledged that the United Nations is currently facing unprecedented tests. He highlighted the "untold sufferings" caused by ongoing global conflicts and wars, noting that the organization is under severe financial stress and increasing pressure.
Rahman warned that these compounded challenges risk undermining public trust and the UN's ability to fulfill its foundational promises. To combat this, he has outlined a strategic framework based on six pillars of action:
- Peace and security
- The 2030 agenda
- Climate change
- Human rights
- Emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence
- UN reform
Decades of Diplomatic Expertise
The election of Minister Rahman brings a wealth of experience to the presidency. Born in 1954, he entered the diplomatic service of Bangladesh in 1979. His deep ties with the United Nations began in 1999 when he joined the UN Secretariat as a special adviser at the UN Conference on Trade and Development in Geneva.
Over the subsequent 25 years, Rahman held various senior leadership positions in both New York and Geneva, establishing himself as a key substantive contributor to several of the UN's flagship publications. This blend of national diplomatic service and international institutional knowledge positions him as a seasoned leader ready to navigate the complexities of the 81st session.
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Bangladeshi FM Khalilur Rahman elected president of 81st UNGA session
cgtn.com
