In a significant moment for global diplomacy, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman was elected president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this past Tuesday. The election, which saw 190 UN member states participate in the voting process, concluded with Rahman securing 99 votes, prevailing over Andreas S. Kakouris, the special envoy for multilateralism from Cyprus's foreign ministry, who received 91 votes.
Having been sworn in as Bangladesh's foreign minister in February 2026, Rahman is set to assume his new leadership role when the 81st UNGA session officially convenes in September this year. He will serve a one-year term at the helm of the world's premier diplomatic body.
Addressing the General Assembly following the announcement, Rahman expressed his gratitude, stating, "I accept the position of the president of the 81st session with humility and respect." He did not shy away from the complexities of the current global climate, noting that the United Nations is currently being tested across multiple fronts. He highlighted that ongoing conflicts and wars continue to inflict "untold sufferings," while the organization itself faces mounting pressure and financial stress.
Rahman cautioned that these systemic challenges tend to erode public trust and diminish the organization's capacity to deliver on its foundational promises. To combat this, he outlined a strategic vision based on six pillars of action: peace and security, the 2030 agenda, climate change, human rights, emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence—and comprehensive UN reform.
The newly elected president brings a wealth of seasoned experience to the role. Born in 1954, Rahman entered the diplomatic service of Bangladesh in 1979. His career took a global turn in 1999 when he joined the UN Secretariat as a special adviser at the UN Conference on Trade and Development in Geneva. Over the following 25 years, he held various senior positions within the United Nations in both New York and Geneva, establishing himself as a lead author and substantive contributor to several of the UN's flagship publications.
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Bangladeshi FM Khalilur Rahman elected president of 81st UNGA session
cgtn.com
