Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has been elected President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, defeating the candidate from Cyprus in a vote held at the UN headquarters on Tuesday. This year, the presidency rotated to the Asia-Pacific group, giving the region the opportunity to lead the Assembly.

According to UN information, the President’s main duties include presiding over sessions, coordinating discussions among member states, and ensuring neutrality in decision-making. Former UN official Dr. Selim Jahan emphasized that the President must act impartially, while former diplomat M. Humayun Kabir noted the President’s role in guiding discussions and decisions, including on the peacekeeping budget and overall UN finances. The General Assembly also handles recommendations and may take up issues when the Security Council fails to act.

UN News reported that Rahman will lead the Assembly during a critical year marked by global crises, UN reform efforts, and the upcoming selection of the next Secretary-General. Bangladesh’s campaign focused on multilateralism, institutional reform, climate cooperation, and amplifying the voice of the Global South.