Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman elected President of 81st UN General Assembly

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman was elected President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), defeating Cypriot diplomat Andreas Kakouris in a closely contested vote.

Rahman secured 99 votes against Kakouris’ 91 in the election held among the 193-member UN body. He will assume office in September when the 81st session of the General Assembly begins, succeeding current President Annalena Baerbock.

Rahman, who became Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister in February, is a career diplomat with extensive experience in international affairs.

He has previously served at Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, worked within the UN system, and held the position of National Security Adviser.