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Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has been sworn in as the President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. This marks the first time in nearly four decades that a representative from Bangladesh will lead the world’s most important multilateral forum.
He formally assumed responsibility at a ceremony held at the UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday (September 8) night. He is scheduled to preside over the first plenary meeting of the 81st session of the General Assembly at 1 AM.
For a one-year term, he succeeds Germany’s former Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock as the President of the 193-member General Assembly.
Previously, Bangladesh’s former Foreign Minister Humayun Rashid Chowdhury served as the President of the 41st session of the UN General Assembly in 1986-87. After nearly four decades, Bangladesh has once again returned to this prestigious position.
Dr. Khalilur Rahman was elected President of the 81st session through a secret ballot vote on June 2. He secured 99 votes, while his contender, Andreas S. Kakouris of Cyprus, received 91 votes.
According to the UN’s regional rotation system, the presidency of the General Assembly was designated for the Asia-Pacific region this term.
Before assuming his duties for the new session, Dr. Khalilur Rahman met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the UN Headquarters in New York on Monday. The Bangladesh office of the United Nations extended its warm congratulations and best wishes to the newly elected president.