BD to vie UNGA presidency after Palestine withdraws

Diplomatic Correspondent :

Bangladesh will now vie for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) after Palestine unexpectedly withdrew its candidature for the 2026-2027 term.

A diplomatic source said that following Palestine’s withdrawal, Bangladesh will compete with Cyprus for the prestigious post.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has also nominated Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman as the country’s official candidate, providing necessary guidance for the upcoming election. Bangladesh had initially floated its candidature ahead of Palestine.

In line with the established regional rotation, the president of the 81st UNGA session will be elected from the Asia Pacific Group.

The election is scheduled for 2 June 2026 at the General Assembly Hall of the UN Headquarters in New York, under Rule 30 of the Rules of Procedure.

Annalena Baerbock, President of the 80th UNGA, will hold informal interactive dialogues with the candidates in May 2026.

The 81st session will open on 8 September 2026, with the high-level General Debate beginning on 22 September.

Bangladesh last held the UNGA presidency in 1986-87, when then-Foreign Minister Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury led the 41st General Assembly. Forty years later, the country aims to reclaim this influential diplomatic position.

Earlier, the interim government had nominated former Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain as Bangladesh’s candidate.