Bangladesh seeks supports for UNGA Presidency
Foreign Minister, Dr Khalilur Rahman, has actively sought international backing for the country’s candidature for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) during a series of bilateral meetings in London.
Leading the Bangladesh delegation to the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) at Lancaster House, Dr Khalilur Rahman discussed issues of mutual interest with several counterparts while also securing assurances of support for Bangladesh’s UNGA bid.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir accompanied him during the engagements.
In meetings with the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Yvette Cooper, the two sides explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
The foreign minister also held formal discussions with Canada’s Parliamentary Secretary Robert Oliphant, South Africa’s Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Alvin Botes, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister for Foreign Affairs EP Chet Greene, and Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
On the sidelines, Dr Khalilur Rahman met with several heads of delegations attending the Commonwealth gathering, highlighting Bangladesh’s role on the global stage and its candidacy for the UNGA presidency.
Diplomatic sources said Dhaka views the London meetings as a key opportunity to mobilise broader international support ahead of the election.
Bangladesh, which last held the UNGA presidency in 1986-87 under then-Foreign Minister Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury, will contest the post with Cyprus following the withdrawal of Palestine’s candidature.
The election for the 2026-2027 term is scheduled for 2 June at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Alongside his diplomatic engagements, the foreign minister is set to attend Commonwealth Day celebrations at Westminster Abbey and a reception at St James’s Palace.
The CFAMM brought together foreign ministers and senior representatives from 56 member states to address global challenges and set the agenda for this year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
