Bangladesh has been elected president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), defeating Cyprus in a vote held at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday morning local time. Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Bangladesh’s candidate, received 99 votes against 91 for Cyprus’s candidate, Andreas S. Kakouris, the country’s permanent secretary of foreign affairs. A total of 190 member states participated in the election. Dr. Rahman will assume office in September 2026.

This victory marks Bangladesh’s return to the UNGA presidency after four decades, the last being in 1986. The position was allocated to the Asia-Pacific group under the UN’s regional rotation policy. Although geographically in Europe, Cyprus belongs to this group. Palestine initially sought the position but withdrew to avoid splitting votes among Muslim nations. Bangladesh secured support from countries including Brazil, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Gambia, and Libya.

Dr. Rahman pledged to serve as a full-time and inclusive president, emphasizing his commitment to uphold the UN Charter and engage all member states, particularly smaller delegations.