Khalilur takes UNGA chair today

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman is set to assume the presidency of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) today and open its session at the UN headquarters in New York at 3pm.

Khalilur will succeed former German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock. Humayun Rasheed Choudhury was the first Bangladeshi to hold the post of serving during the 1986-87 session.

Khalilur was elected on 2 June in a secret ballot, securing 99 votes against 91 for Cyprus' candidate Andreas S Kakouris. His election has raised Bangladesh’s profile on the global stage and the country's greater diplomatic exposure.

The Bangladeshi diplomat takes the year-long presidency at a critical time as conflicts, climate emergencies, development setbacks, and waning faith in multilateralism test the international system.

The presidency was allocated to the Asia-Pacific Group under the UN’s regional rotation system.

Bangladesh secured the honour about four months after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman assumed office on 17 February. The premier is also going to attend this UNGA session.

In his acceptance speech, Khalilur pledged to work with all member states to strengthen the UN’s effectiveness, credibility, and relevance, while stressing the need to restore multilateralism. His presidency will coincide with the selection of the next UN secretary-general as António Guterres’ term ends on 31 December 2026. Guterres congratulated Khalilur on his election.

Khalilur joined the Bangladesh Foreign Service in 1979 and later held senior positions in the UN system in New York and Geneva, including at the UN Conference on Trade and Development.

The high-level general debate of the 81st UNGA will begin later this month, bringing heads of state and government from across the world to New York.