Khalilur Rahman returns to Dhaka after UNGA presidency win

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman returned to Dhaka this morning from New York Today (4 June) after being elected president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

In the election held at the UN headquarters in New York on 2 June, Khalilur secured 99 votes, defeating Cyprus candidate Andreas S Kakouris, who received 91 votes.

The 81st UNGA session will begin on 8 September, with Khalilur serving a one-year term. He is the first Bangladeshi to be elected to the post since former foreign minister Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury presided over the 41st session in 1986-87.

Following his election, Khalilur said he would work to build consensus and restore trust in the multilateral system amid growing global challenges. His presidency will focus on peace and security, sustainable development, climate action, human rights, emerging technologies and UN reform.