Bangladesh secures UN General Assembly presidency for second time

Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has been elected president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, securing 99 votes in a contested election at UN headquarters in New York. The victory marks the South Asian nation's second win since 1986.

The election for the one-year term beginning in September saw Rahman defeat the candidate from the Greek Cypriot Administration, who received 91 votes from the 193 member states. Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry described the win as a "landmark victory" and a "testament" to international confidence in Dhaka's commitment to multilateral diplomacy, international peace and sustainable development.

Incoming president's background

Rahman, 72, represents the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led government that assumed office earlier this year following the country's first election since the 2024 student-led uprising. He previously served as national security adviser and high representative for the Rohingya issue in the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, according to the ministry statement.

A career diplomat who joined Bangladesh's foreign service in 1979, Rahman holds advanced degrees from Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. Addressing the General Assembly following his election, he outlined an agenda focused on UN reforms, preparations for the next generation of the global development framework, and urgent challenges including climate change, geopolitical tensions and energy insecurity.