Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has formally assumed the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), marking a significant return for Dhaka to one of the UN’s highest-profile diplomatic positions after four decades.

Khalilur was sworn in at UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday night following the conclusion of the 80th UNGA session. He succeeds former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and will preside over the 193-member General Assembly for the next year.

His first major task will be to chair the opening plenary of the 81st session, which will operate under the theme “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”

The new presidency comes at a challenging time for the international community, with wars and geopolitical tensions, climate-related disasters, development setbacks and declining public confidence in multilateral institutions putting the UN system under increasing pressure.

Khalilur was elected UNGA president on June 2 after defeating Cyprus’ candidate Andreas S Kakouris in a secret ballot, receiving 99 votes against 91. The presidency was allocated to the Asia-Pacific Group under the UN’s established regional rotation.

Bangladesh’s return to the UNGA presidency comes 40 years after former foreign minister Humayun Rasheed Choudhury became the first Bangladeshi to lead the Assembly, during its 41st session in 1986-87.

Ahead of taking office, Khalilur outlined his priorities and vision for the coming session at a media briefing at UN Headquarters. His tenure is expected to focus on strengthening multilateral cooperation and advancing discussions on peace, sustainable development, climate action and global equality.

The presidency will also give Bangladesh a prominent platform during the UN General Debate, scheduled for September 22-28, when world leaders and senior government representatives gather in New York to present their national priorities and positions on major international issues. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to attend the high-level gathering.

According to BSS, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam described Khalilur’s election as an “immensely proud moment” for Bangladesh, attributing the outcome partly to growing international confidence in the country’s democratic governance. She also highlighted Khalilur’s diplomatic experience and the campaign efforts of Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions worldwide.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres met Khalilur in New York on Monday ahead of the opening of the new session. The UN in Bangladesh also congratulated him and extended its best wishes as he assumed the international leadership role.

With Khalilur now at the helm, Bangladesh is expected to use the UNGA presidency to raise its diplomatic profile while pushing issues of particular importance to the country, including climate vulnerability, sustainable development, peace and the Rohingya crisis.

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