The election for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly is taking place today at the UN headquarters in New York. Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman is contesting against Cyprus’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andreas S. Kakouris. The vote is scheduled for 10 a.m. local time. The position is allocated to the Asia-Pacific Group under the UN’s regional rotation policy, and although geographically in Europe, Cyprus belongs to that group diplomatically.

Bangladesh has received formal support from several countries, including Brazil, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Gambia, and Libya. The country is contesting for this post after nearly four decades, following its previous win in 1986. Officials said Bangladesh intensified diplomatic efforts in the final hours, though limited campaign time posed challenges compared to Cyprus’s year-long promotion.

Diplomats and observers are closely watching the vote, which will be conducted by secret ballot. If elected, Dr. Khalilur Rahman would become one of the most influential voices in the 193-member body, offering Bangladesh a platform to shape global discussions on peace, sustainable development, climate action, and governance.