Bangladeshi Diplomat Elected UN General Assembly President Over Cyprus’ Fellow

Bangladesh’s top diplomat, Khalilur Rahman, was elected president of the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. He won 99 votes in a secret ballot against Cypriot diplomat Andreas Kakouris who received 91 votes.

Rahman will succeed Germany’s former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock in September. The Foreign Ministry stated that this victory is a strong testament to the international community’s confidence and trust in Bangladesh, as well as its growing diplomatic stature.

Calling it a “historic achievement”, the ministry said it also constitutes a significant international recognition of Bangladesh’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy, peace, sustainable development, and global cooperation. Rahman became foreign minister in February following Bangladesh’s first elections since the 2024 ouster of longtime premier Sheikh Hasina.

During the interim government of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, Rahman served as national security adviser and point person on the Rohingya refugee issue. He holds degrees in law and economics from US universities and has participated in trade talks with Washington.

The UN General Assembly president is elected annually for a one-year term based on geographical rotation. This year’s position was allocated to the Asia-Pacific region, which includes Cyprus.

Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour withdrew his candidacy after it was strongly criticized by Israel. Deputy Prime Minister and FM Ishaq Dar felicitated Rahman on his election as president of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly.

Dar said he is confident that Rahman’s diplomatic experience and commitment to multilateralism would guide the General Assembly with distinction. He added that he looks forward to continuing engagement at the United Nations and working together to strengthen multilateral cooperation, advance shared global priorities, and promote dialogue, peace, and sustainable development.

Rahman, 72, represents the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led government in Bangladesh. After the student-led uprising in 2024, he served as national security adviser and high representative for the Rohingya issue in the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. He joined Bangladesh’s diplomatic service in 1979 and has served at the UN for 25 years, including various offices in New York and Geneva.

Speaking to the UN General Assembly after his win, Rahman said that under his presidency, the General Assembly will address UN reforms, preparations for the next generation of global development agenda, and urgent global challenges such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, energy insecurity, and widening development divides.