United News of Bangladesh

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Thursday said his election as President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) reflects the confidence and support of the international community in Bangladesh and its people. Speaking at a reception hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in his honour, Dr Khalilur noted that the achievement underscores Bangladesh’s strengthened diplomatic standing.  He paid tribute to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for his guidance and leadership throughout the campaign, emphasising that the successful outcome was made possible by the Prime Minister’s commitment to advancing Bangladesh’s global engagement. The reception was attended by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Adviser to the Prime Minister Humaiun Kobir, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, and other senior officials. Earlier, upon his arrival in Dhaka following the election, the Foreign Minister was received at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Principal Secretary and Foreign Ministry officials.

The Cabinet on Thursday congratulated Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on his election as President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The Cabinet extended its congratulations at a meeting held at the Public Administration Conference Room of the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat, said a release issued by the PM’s Press Wing. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired the meeting, which began at around 7:30pm. According to the Prime Minister’s Press Wing, the meeting viewed Khalilur’s election to the prestigious post demonstrates Bangladesh’s increasing prestige, diplomatic capability and the confidence placed in the country in multilateral forums. The Foreign Minister returned to Dhaka from New York earlier in the day. Dr Khalilur Rahman was elected President of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday by defeating Cyprus’ Ambassador Andreas Kakouris in a closely contested election. In a secret-ballot vote at the UN headquarters in New York, Khalilur secured 99 votes against Kakouris’ 91, while three member states did not cast their votes. He will succeed former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, whose one-year term will end in September. Under the UN’s regional rotation system, the presidency of the 193-member General Assembly was allocated to the Asia-Pacific Group for the 81st session. The 81st session of the UN General Assembly will formally open on September 8, while the high-level General Debate featuring speeches by heads of state and government will begin on September 22. As President of the General Assembly, Khalilur Rahman will preside over the session for one year.

President-elect of the UN General Assembly’s 81st session and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Thursday indicated he may continue to discharge his responsibilities in both capacities concurrently, citing the example Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury, the last Bangladeshi before him to be elected UNGA president. The foreign minister dedicated the victory to Bangladesh’s future, as the country reclaimed the post four decades later. “Will I leave this (foreign minister’s) job? Is that the question? Don’t be so hurried. There is precedence,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while responding to a question. Dr Rahman noted that Bangladesh last held the prestigious position forty years ago (1986-87), when then Foreign Minister Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury was elected President of the 41st General Assembly. “I was his private secretary and we worked with him. He worked in both posts full-time,” Dr Khalilur said.  Those who follow foreign affairs have been informally discussing whether Dr Khalilur would step down from his current responsibilities as Bangladesh's Foreign Minister to serve full-time at the UN, or attempt to carry out both roles simultaneously.  

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.  

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said the United Nations should be a voice of all the countries, not just the mouthpiece of a few countries. “There’s a need for a change in this situation,” he said while addressing a discussion at Jatiya Press Club marking the UN Day. He said Bangladesh will be the candidate for UNGA President in 2026 and insisted that the next UN General Secretary, if it is from Asia, should be from Bangladesh. Dr Momen said it is regrettable that there is no significant number of Bangladeshis in the UN leadership positions. “Now, time has come for increasing our representation in the UN.” The Foreign Minister appreciated the UN role in many areas saying there was no third World War because of the UN though it has failed to resolve problems in many countries. Read: Bangladesh’s UNGA participation shows its stronger presence in multilateral forum: Officials “We want peace in the world and the UN was established in search of peace. We recognize UN contributions,” he said. Dr Momen said Bangladesh will host a world peace conference in December as peace is imperative for development.

President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Volkan Bozkir on Tuesday highly appreciated Bangladesh's efforts for Rohingyas in Bhasan Char, saying it will be another example to the world on how to deal with the refugee issues. “I really applaud the work done there – the quality of buildings and also taking all the precautions. I think this will be another example to the world on how to deal with refugee issues,” he said. Bozkir hoped that this would work well for the Rohingya people, giving them a better condition in Bhasan Char. In a joint media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, the UNGA President said he could not visit Bhasan Char but he saw a video on it and acknowledged the high-level works there, including precautions and safety measures. Read: Efforts underway to resume tripartite talks over Rohingya repatriation Bozkir will visit Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar district to meet Rohingyas on Wednesday, before heading towards Pakistan. He will make a statement after visiting Rohingya camps. Prior to the briefing, Bozkir had a meeting with Foreign Minister Dr Momen at the same venue.  He said this is his second visit to Bangladesh and he found it absolutely an obligation to come and pay his respect and give a message to the world on what Bangladesh is doing and what are the problems. Bozkir appreciated Bangladesh’s role in the peacekeeping operations and sacrifices of the Bangladeshi peacekeepers for the peace and security of the world. On climate issues, he appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s efforts saying her body language shows how much importance is given to issues like tree plantation. The UNGA President said Bangladesh's role in the UN peacekeeping operations is very much appreciated. He said Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is really a leader on the climate issue. Read: Rohingya repatriation looks uncertain: Hasina tells UNGA President Bozkir said he has admiration for Prime Minister Hasina for her political and humanitarian thinking and saluted the hospitality and courage that Bangladesh has shown to the Rohingya people. “We discussed the plight of the Rohingya people, the situation in Myanmar, the impact of climate change, the importance of human-centered development, and gender equality and women’s empowerment,” he said referring to his meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. They also talked about the significance of the culture of peace as Bangladesh is the number one troop-contributing country to UN peacekeeping operations. “It was a comprehensive and insightful discussion.” Talking about his discussion with the UNGA President, Dr Momen said, "We discussed the Rohingya issue and we had very fruitful discussions on SDG 17, peacekeeping operations, migration and climate change issues.” Dr Momen said they wanted him to go to Bhasan Char but because of timing he is unable to go there. “We showed him a video.”