The United Nations General Assembly has elected Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Khalilur Rahman, as President of its 81st session after he defeated Cyprus’ Andreas Kakouris in a secret ballot at the UN headquarters in New York.
Rahman secured 99 votes against Kakouris’ 91 in a secret ballot involving 190 member states.
He will assume office on September 8 for a one-year term during which the United Nations will begin the process of selecting a successor to Secretary-General António Guterres, whose tenure ends in December 2026.
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Accepting the role, Rahman acknowledged growing challenges facing the international system and pledged to rebuild trust, promote consensus, and strengthen multilateral cooperation. His presidency will focus on peace and security, sustainable development, climate action, human rights, governance of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and UN reform.
With over 40 years of diplomatic experience, Rahman said his guiding theme will be: “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All.”
NAN
