Bangladesh wins UNGA presidency

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has been elected President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), securing a major diplomatic victory for the country and becoming only the second Bangladeshi to hold one of the highest offices in the United Nations system.

Dr Rahman was elected in a vote held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, defeating the candidate from Cyprus in a closely watched contest among member states.

According to the election results, all 190 member states present participated in the vote. Dr Rahman secured 91 votes to win the election, marking a significant achievement for Bangladesh’s diplomacy and elevating the country’s profile on the global stage.

Following the announcement of the results, UN Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated Dr Rahman on his election and expressed confidence that the United Nations would benefit from his extensive diplomatic and political experience.

Guterres said he looked forward to working closely with the incoming president and hoped that Dr Rahman’s vast experience in international diplomacy, development and multilateral affairs would contribute to the effective functioning of the General Assembly during a period of unprecedented global challenges.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also congratulated the foreign minister on the achievement.

In a social media post, the prime minister said: “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 election is being widely viewed as a recognition of Bangladesh’s growing role in international diplomacy and its longstanding commitment to multilateral cooperation through the United Nations.

With the victory, Dr Rahman becomes only the second Bangladeshi to be elected President of the UN General Assembly. The first was the late Humayun Rashid Choudhury, who served as President of the 41st Session of the General Assembly in 1986.

Humayun Rashid Choudhury remains one of Bangladesh’s most celebrated diplomats. His election to the presidency of the General Assembly four decades ago was a landmark achievement for the country, and he became the first Asian diplomat to hold the post. Dr Rahman’s victory, therefore, revives a distinguished chapter in Bangladesh’s diplomatic history.

The presidency of the General Assembly is among the most prestigious elected positions within the United Nations. While the office does not possess executive authority, the President plays a crucial role in presiding over General Assembly meetings, facilitating negotiations among member states, building consensus on key international issues and guiding the work of the Assembly throughout its annual session.

A veteran diplomat and international civil servant, Dr Rahman has built a reputation through decades of work in international development, governance and global policy issues. Since becoming foreign minister, he has led an extensive diplomatic campaign to secure support for Bangladesh’s candidacy, travelling widely and engaging governments across different regions.

His successful election comes at a time when the international community faces multiple challenges, including geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts, climate change, economic uncertainty, migration pressures and growing demands for reform of global institutions.

Bangladesh has traditionally placed significant importance on the United Nations as a cornerstone of its foreign policy. The country is one of the world’s leading contributors to UN peacekeeping operations and has consistently championed the interests of developing nations, climate-vulnerable countries and displaced populations, including the Rohingya refugees sheltered in Bangladesh.

Diplomatic observers believe Dr Rahman’s election will provide Bangladesh with a stronger platform to promote issues important to the Global South and contribute more actively to international decision-making.

Nearly four decades after Humayun Rashid Choudhury first brought Bangladesh to the presidency of the General Assembly, Dr Khalilur Rahman’s election represents another landmark achievement for the country’s diplomacy and reinforces Bangladesh’s growing credibility and influence within the international community.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com