Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has been elected as the President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He will assume office when the session opens on 8 September, serving a one-year term. This marks Bangladesh’s return to the UNGA presidency after the 41st session (1986–87), when Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury held the position.
Rahman earlier joined the UN Secretariat in 1991 as a Special Adviser at United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva. The presidency follows the regional rotation system, and the 81st session falls under the Asia-Pacific group.
Key Highlights
- Bangladesh assumes UNGA presidency after nearly four decades
- Position allocated under Asia-Pacific regional rotation
- Term duration: One year starting from 8 September (opening of 81st session)
- Role combines ceremonial importance with diplomatic prestige
Significance
- Enhances Bangladesh’s global diplomatic profile
- Reflects importance of Asia-Pacific representation in multilateral diplomacy
- Reinforces UNGA’s role as the largest annual diplomatic gathering globally
Selection Process of UNGA President
- Usually chosen by acclamation (consensus among member states)
- If consensus fails then secret ballot voting is held. A Candidate with simple majority wins
- Example: Last contested election 2016 (71st session), Peter Thomson defeated Cyprus’ candidate in a secret ballot
About United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
- The most representative organ of the United Nations
- Comprises 193 member states, each with one vote
- Annual session held in September at New York
Functions
- Provides a global platform where all countries can speak
- Controls the UN budget
- Adopts treaties and resolutions
- Addresses global issues like: Corruption, Poverty and Development challenges
- Makes key institutional decisions:
- Appointment of UN Secretary-General (on recommendation of UNSC)
- Election of non-permanent members of the UNSC
Relation with UNSC
- United Nations Security Council is the only UN body with binding powers
- Can impose: Sanctions and Authorisation of force
Permanent Members (P5)
- China
- France
- Russia
- United Kingdom
- United States