Khalilur joins race for presidency of 81st UN Assembly

Foreign Minister, Khalilur Rahman, has taken part in an informal interactive dialogue as part of the election process for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The dialogue was convened on Wednesday by Annalena Baerbock, president of the 80th session of the General Assembly, and was broadcast live on UN WebTV.

The informal dialogues are held under Resolution 71/323 on the “Revitalisation of the work of the General Assembly”, which requires candidates for the presidency to present their vision statements and engage with member states in a transparent and inclusive process.

Representatives of civil society organisations, along with individuals, also participated by submitting questions both in person and through video messages.

Dr Rahman, the candidate nominated by the Asia-Pacific Group, highlighted his more than three decades of experience with the United Nations.

He has served as Bangladesh’s representative to the General Assembly and held senior positions at the UN Secretariat in New York and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in Geneva.
Presenting his vision statement, Dr Rahman said the international community now required “a more effective and responsive multilateralism” capable of rebuilding trust among member states and delivering meaningful benefits for people around the world.

The election for the presidency of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly is scheduled to take place on June 2 at UN headquarters in New York.

In line with the UN’s regional rotation system, the president for the 81st session will be chosen from the Asia-Pacific Group.

Following the withdrawal of the Palestinian candidature, Bangladesh will now contest the post against Cyprus.