Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has been elected President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the 81st  session, competing against Cyprus which Dhaka described as "historic and landmark" victory.

In the election held at the United Nations Headquarters on Tuesday, Dr. Khalilur Rahman secured 99 votes from the 193 Member States of the United Nations, defeating the candidate of Cyprus, who received 91 votes.

This "landmark" victory is a strong testament to the confidence and trust that the international community places in Bangladesh, as well as to the country’s growing diplomatic stature and constructive engagement within the multilateral system, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dhaka said this achievement is not only the election of a Bangladeshi candidate to one of the most distinguished positions within the United Nations; it also constitutes a significant international recognition of Bangladesh’s longstanding commitment to multilateral diplomacy, international peace and security, sustainable development, and global cooperation.

The successful outcome reflects the convergence of three key factors: the visionary leadership and timely guidance of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the coordinated and intensive diplomatic efforts undertaken by Bangladesh within a limited timeframe, and the extensive experience, professional excellence, and international standing of Dr. Khalilur Rahman, said the Ministry.

At the time the BNP-led Government assumed office, less than three months remained before the election.

Despite the limited preparation period, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took a firm and decisive position in support of Bangladesh’s candidacy.

By nominating Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, he expressed strong confidence that Bangladesh would emerge victorious through focused diplomatic engagement and strategic outreach to Member States.

In this context, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman recalled Bangladesh’s successful election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council in 1978.

At that time, under the courageous and visionary leadership of the late President Ziaur Rahman, Bangladesh mounted an effective diplomatic campaign within a short period and prevailed over the then formidable candidate, Japan, to secure its election to the Security Council.

Drawing inspiration from that historic achievement, he had expressed firm confidence from the outset that Bangladesh would similarly succeed in the election for the Presidency of the 81st Session of the General Assembly.
 
One of the biggest challenges for Bangladesh has been the severe limitation of time.

Although Bangladesh formally announced its candidature in 2020, the Government nominated Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman as its candidate on 27 February 2026, following which the country launched its full-scale international campaign.

Through high-level bilateral meetings, sustained diplomatic outreach, and multilateral engagement with all 193 UN member states, Bangladesh has actively sought to build broad international support within a very short time.

Bangladesh, in practical terms, has successfully conducted  five years’ worth of diplomatic campaigning in just three months.

In contrast, Cyprus announced its candidature as early as 2016 and has maintained a continuous campaign for nearly a decade, particularly intensifying its outreach efforts over the past year.

Bangladesh’s campaign has been spearheaded by Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, and the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, supported by Bangladesh’s missions and embassies worldwide.

The distinguished professional experience, diplomatic acumen, and proven leadership credentials of Bangladesh’s candidate contributed significantly to this landmark achievement.

A major milestone in the campaign came on 13 May 2026, when Bangladesh’s candidate Dr. Khalilur Rahman participated in the Interactive Dialogue organized by the current President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock.

During the two-and-a-half-hour session, Dr. Rahman presented his vision statement and outlined his priorities and work plan for leading the General Assembly. The dialogue was widely praised within diplomatic circles.

Following these extensive engagements and consultations, nearly 30 Member States formally conveyed their support for Bangladesh’s candidacy, reinforcing growing confidence in the country’s vision and leadership.

This broad-based endorsement placed Bangladesh on a clear and credible path towards electoral success.

Bangladesh's campaign has placed particular emphasis on strengthening effective multilateralism, safeguarding the interests of developing countries, enhancing international cooperation for climate-vulnerable states, advancing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, supporting UN peacekeeping efforts, and amplifying the voice of the Global South.

The campaign has been widely viewed as issue-based, inclusive, and grounded in principles.

The Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh expresses its profound appreciation to the Member States of the United Nations for the trust and confidence reposed in Bangladesh through this historic election.

The Government further reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and to working constructively with all Member States in advancing multilateralism, international peace and security, sustainable development, and effective global cooperation.

Ambassador Andreas S. Kakouris, Cyprus' candidate for the UNGA Presidency, brought over four decades of diplomatic and administrative experience in multilateral and bilateral diplomacy, as well as at headquarters.

Bangladesh last held the prestigious position in 1986-87, when then Foreign Minister Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury was elected President of the 41st General Assembly.

Four decades later, the country sought to reclaim the post and succeeded.

The 81st session of the UNGA will open on September 8, 2026, with the high-level General Debate commencing on September 22.

The position changes every year and rotates among the five regional groups of the UN (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Europe and Others).

The President is elected directly by the member states in the UNGA, with each country having one vote.

On June 2, 2025, former German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock was elected President of the General Assembly’s 80th session.

She assumed the role at a challenging time, with ongoing conflicts, faltering development goals, mounting financial pressures, and the upcoming selection of the next Secretary-General.

Baerbock received 167 votes following the secret ballot. Fourteen delegations abstained.

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 Dr Khalilur, however, made it clear during the informal interactive dialogue at the UN on May 13 that resignation is not the only option.

“Will I resign? No, my Prime Minister (Tarique Rahman) has told me very clearly that he's going to let me off for one year to do a full-time job. Resignation is not the only option. I can get a leave,” said Dr Khalilur while responding to a question during the informal dialogue.

There have been instances in the past where foreign ministers simultaneously served as President of the United Nations General Assembly while retaining their ministerial portfolios.

For example, Abdulla Shahid of the Maldives concurrently served as the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs while serving as President of the 76th session of the UNGA in 2021.