FM joins dialogue ahead of 81st UNGA presidency election

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has participated in an informal interactive dialogue as part of the election process for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The dialogue was organised on Wednesday by Annalena Baerbock, president of the 80th UNGA session and was broadcast live on UN WebTV.

The session was held under UN resolution 71/323 on revitalising the work of the General Assembly, which promotes transparency and inclusiveness in selecting the UNGA president. 

As part of the process, candidates present their vision statements and respond to questions from member states, civil society organisations and individuals.

Participants submitted questions both in person and through video messages.

Khalilur Rahman, the candidate from the Asia-Pacific region, has more than 30 years of experience within the United Nations system. 

He has served as Bangladesh’s representative to the General Assembly and held senior roles at the UN Secretariat in New York and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva.

Over the years, he has taken part in 16 UNGA sessions, contributing to negotiations, high-level meetings and follow-up processes. 

His work has focused largely on development issues affecting the Global South, including Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

In his vision statement, Khalilur Rahman emphasised the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation.

“Our world now needs a more effective and responsive multilateralism,” he said. “By working together, we can build a more robust multilateral system that commands the trust of member states and delivers tangible benefits for all.”

He said his experience, knowledge and leadership abilities would help him effectively guide the General Assembly toward that objective.

The election for the presidency of the 81st UNGA session will be held on June 2 at the UN headquarters in New York, in accordance with Rule 30 of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure.

Under the UN’s regional rotation system, the president for the 81st session will be elected from the Asia-Pacific Group. Following the withdrawal of the Palestinian candidature, Bangladesh will now compete against Cyprus for the post.

Khalilur Rahman said the upcoming session of the General Assembly would begin at a crucial time for global cooperation.

“Eight decades after the UN Charter was signed in San Francisco, our shared system of multilateral cooperation faces profound challenges,” he said. “Yet this moment also presents unprecedented opportunities to renew its promise for ‘we the peoples’ in the 21st century.”

SH