Bangladesh leads UNGA 81

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, who is set to lead the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, met UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York on Monday, a day before the opening of the new session.

The meeting came as the UN prepared to bring together leaders of its 193 member states for the annual General Assembly, with the new session set to focus on rebuilding trust, advancing global development goals and strengthening collective action.

The UN in Bangladesh congratulated Khalilur Rahman and extended its best wishes as he takes up the high-profile global leadership role.

Rahman was elected President of the 81st session of the General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York on June 2 under Rule 30 of the Rules of Procedure.

In line with the UN’s established regional rotation, the presidency for the 81st session was allocated to the Asia-Pacific Group.

The 81st session opens on Tuesday under the theme, “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”

World leaders from the 193 UN member states are expected to attend the session, which will seek to revitalise international cooperation, accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and promote collective action for peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.

Rahman’s election gives Bangladesh a prominent role in steering the General Assembly’s deliberations at a time of heightened global challenges and growing calls for stronger multilateral cooperation.