United News of Bangladesh

Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and President-elect of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly Dr Khalilur Rahman will visit Russia on June 7-9, said the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Moscow welcomes the intention of the president-elect to give priority to defending the interests of the Global South and East, to promote the rapid achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, to enhance the effectiveness of the General Assembly, and, more broadly, to help restore the UN’s central coordinating role in world affairs,” said the Russian government. The Russian side is committed to constructive and fruitful cooperation with Dr Khalilur, including during his official visit to Russia on June 7-9. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka, however, has not made any official announcement regarding the visit. Dr Khalilur said he is assuming the role “with humility and respect” at a time when confidence in the international system is under considerable strain. His presidency will coincide with one of the most significant processes on the UN calendar, the selection of a successor to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term concludes on December 31, 2026. The 81st session of the General Assembly will open on September 8, with world leaders scheduled to gather at UN Headquarters in New York two weeks later for the annual high-level debate. In a secret-ballot election, Dr Khalilur secured 99 votes while Andreas Kakouris of Cyprus received 91. A total of 190 ballots were cast, with no invalid votes or abstentions.  

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