Khalilur hints to serve dual post
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has signalled that he intends to continue serving as foreign minister while also carrying out his responsibilities as President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for one year.
Speaking to journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday after returning from New York, Dr Khalilur Rahman dismissed speculation over whether he would take leave or step down from his ministerial role.
Asked whether he would take leave after assuming the UNGA presidency, he replied: “Are you asking whether I will leave my job? No, no, whether I will take leave? Don’t be so hurried.
There is precedence.”
Referring to a previous Bangladeshi holder of the prestigious post, he said: “Forty years ago, our former foreign minister Humayun Rashid Choudhury was elected President of the United Nations General Assembly.
I was his private secretary and worked closely with him. He was able to perform both responsibilities on a full-time basis.”
Dr Rahman also rejected suggestions that holding both positions would be unusual, citing the circumstances surrounding the current UNGA president from Germany.
“Many people have said that the current office-holder from Germany resigned as foreign minister before assuming the role.
The reality is that she was a leader of the Green Party, and after her party lost the election she could no longer remain foreign minister. It was not because of the UNGA presidency,” he said.
The foreign minister described his election as a landmark achievement for Bangladesh and credited the country’s leadership and diplomatic corps for the success.
“This victory is the victory of our unprecedented democratic journey. It is a victory that belongs to all of us,” he said.
He also praised officials of the Foreign Ministry and Bangladesh missions abroad for their efforts.
“Our officers at the Foreign Ministry and those serving in our missions overseas worked tirelessly.
The State Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Chief Adviser also made enormous contributions. We worked together with a strong team spirit,” he said.
“We dedicate this victory to the future of Bangladesh,” Khalilur Rahman said.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed were present during the media briefing.
Earlier, on the occasion of the victory, foreign ministry congratulated Dr Khalilur Rahman at a reception.
Dr Rahman was elected President of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on June 2 at the UN headquarters in New York, defeating a rival candidate from Cyprus.
The victory marks one of Bangladesh’s most significant diplomatic achievements and makes him only the second Bangladeshi to hold the post after Humayun Rashid Choudhury in 1986.
