New York, June 3, 2026 – The Europe Today: Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Khalilur Rahman, has been elected President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for its 81st session following a closely contested vote held in New York on Tuesday.
In a secret-ballot election, Rahman secured 99 votes, defeating Cyprus’s candidate Andreas Kakouris, who received 91 votes. A total of 190 ballots were cast, with no invalid votes or abstentions recorded.
The presidency of the UN General Assembly rotates among the United Nations’ five regional groups, and the 81st session was allocated to the Asia-Pacific group. Rahman is scheduled to assume office on 8 September for a one-year term.
His tenure is expected to coincide with a critical period for the United Nations, including ongoing discussions on institutional reform and heightened global crises affecting international peace and security.
A key highlight of the upcoming session will be the process to select the successor to current UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose term concludes on 31 December 2026. The leadership transition is anticipated to be one of the most significant agendas during Rahman’s presidency.
The election outcome underscores growing engagement among member states ahead of a pivotal year for the global body, as it navigates complex geopolitical and developmental challenges.
