Last Updated on June 4, 2026 12:22 am by INDIAN AWAAZ
Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Bangladesh has assumed the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly after Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman was elected president of the 81st UNGA session, in a major diplomatic victory for the country.
Khalilur was elected at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, defeating the candidate from Cyprus in a closely watched vote.
According to the results, all 190 member-states present took part in the election. Khalilur Rahman secured 99 votes, becoming only the second Bangladeshi to hold one of the highest elected offices in the UN system.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated Khalilur and expressed confidence that the UN would benefit from his extensive diplomatic and political experience. Guterres said he looked forward to working “closely with the incoming president” and hoped his experience in international diplomacy, development and multilateral affairs would help the General Assembly during a period of unprecedented global challenges.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also congratulated him, saying: “Many congratulations to our Minister of Foreign Affairs, Khalilur Rahman, on his election as the President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.”
“This achievement reflects Bangladesh’s increasing contribution and credibility on the global stage. We believe he will proudly represent Bangladesh and forge connectivity, dialogue, and cooperation in addressing multilateral, shared challenges. We wish him every success in this new responsibility,” the prime minister added.
The election is being seen as recognition of Bangladesh’s growing role in international diplomacy and its commitment to multilateral cooperation through the UN.
Khalilur Rahman becomes the second Bangladeshi to be elected UNGA president after the late Humayun Rashid Choudhury, who served as president of the 41st session in 1986. Choudhury, one of Bangladesh’s most celebrated diplomats, was the first Asian diplomat to hold the post.
The UNGA presidency is one of the most prestigious elected positions in the UN. Though it has no executive authority, the president presides over General Assembly meetings, facilitates negotiations, builds consensus and guides the Assembly’s work.
A veteran diplomat and international civil servant, Khalilur Rahman has worked for decades in international development, governance and global policy. Since becoming foreign minister, he led a diplomatic campaign to secure support for Bangladesh’s candidacy.
His election comes as the world faces geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts, climate change, economic uncertainty, migration pressures and demands for reform of global institutions.
Bangladesh is one of the world’s leading contributors to UN peacekeeping and has long championed developing nations, climate-vulnerable countries and displaced populations, including Rohingya refugees.
Diplomatic observers said the election “will provide Bangladesh with a stronger platform to promote issues important to the Global South and contribute more actively to international decision-making”.