Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Khalilur Rahman, has been elected President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for its 81st session after defeating Cyprus diplomat Andreas Kakouris in a tightly contested election held at UN headquarters in New York, United States.
Rahman secured 99 votes against Kakouris’ 91 in a secret ballot held on Tuesday. A total of 190 votes were cast, with no invalid ballots or abstentions recorded.
The presidency of the United Nations General Assembly rotates among the UN’s five regional groups, with the Asia-Pacific bloc producing the president for the 81st session.
He is expected to officially assume office on September 8, 2026, and will serve a one-year term. His tenure will coincide with a major global diplomatic process—the selection of a successor to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term ends on December 31, 2026.
Rahman, a veteran diplomat with over 40 years of experience, has served in several high-level roles, including Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser and lead official on the Rohingya crisis. He has also held senior positions within the United Nations system in New York and Geneva.
Following his election, Rahman said he accepted the role “with humility and respect,” noting that the international system is facing growing pressure and declining trust.
He warned that confidence in global institutions is being tested on multiple fronts, adding that these challenges are undermining the UN’s ability to deliver on its core commitments.
Outgoing UNGA President Annalena Baerbock described the current global environment as one of “immense pressure,” stressing that multilateral diplomacy is becoming increasingly difficult and that defending the UN Charter has become a constant responsibility.
Rahman outlined six key priorities for his presidency, including peace and security, accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate action, human rights protection, governance of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and institutional reform of the UN system.
He also pledged to strengthen preventive diplomacy, peacebuilding efforts, and civilian protection, drawing on Bangladesh’s long experience in UN peacekeeping operations.
His leadership theme for the session is: “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All.”
Rahman said he would focus on rebuilding trust among member states, strengthening consensus, and ensuring inclusive dialogue despite widening geopolitical divisions.
He also pledged commitment to the UN Charter, balanced regional and gender representation within his office, and greater support for smaller member states.
The UN General Assembly, which comprises all 193 member states with equal voting rights, remains the world’s most representative multilateral forum. While its resolutions are not legally binding, it plays a central role in shaping global discussions on peace, security, development, and international law.
The 81st session will open on September 8, 2026, followed by the annual high-level debate at UN headquarters in New York, where world leaders are expected to gather two weeks later.
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