Shama Obaid hails UNGA presidency win
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam has described the election of Bangladesh’s candidate as President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly as a matter of national pride and a victory for the country’s democracy.
Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, she said the outcome reflected the international community’s confidence in Bangladesh.
“Not only the United Nations, but the entire world has confidence in Bangladesh. This election is proof of that trust,” she said.
She also claimed that the victory was the result of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s sustained diplomatic efforts.
Her remarks came a day after Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman secured election as President of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, defeating Cyprus’ candidate Andreas Kakouris in a secret ballot at the UN headquarters in New York. Of the 190 votes cast by member states, Khalilur Rahman received 99 votes against Kakouris’ 91, winning by a margin of eight votes.
The election marks Bangladesh’s return to the prestigious post after four decades and makes Khalilur Rahman only the second Bangladeshi to hold the office after Humayun Rashid Choudhury in 1986.
Responding to questions about whether Khalilur Rahman would continue as foreign minister while serving as President of the General Assembly, Shama Obaid said the matter would be decided by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
“If he is to devote himself fully to his responsibilities at the United Nations, he will naturally need to spend time there. However, that does not necessarily mean he cannot remain foreign minister. It is entirely the Prime Minister’s decision,” she said.
Asked about reports that Khalilur Rahman may spend a year in New York and that an acting minister could be appointed to oversee the Foreign Ministry, the state minister said she had no information on the issue and that the government’s course of action would be determined by the Prime Minister.
When asked whether she herself could be given responsibility for the ministry, Shama Obaid replied, “I do not know anything about that. I am happy as State Minister for Foreign Affairs.”
On other issues, she said the government remained committed to ensuring justice in the killing of Hadi, while dismissing comments made by a defeated candidate in West Bengal’s election on the matter as not something Bangladesh needed to take into account.
The state minister also said that the Border Guard Bangladesh had been instructed to remain vigilant and prepared to deal firmly with any situation along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.
