The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has elected Khalilur Rahman, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, to serve as President of its 81st session. In a closely contested vote by the secret ballot, Rahman secured 99 votes out of a total of 190, defeating Andreas Kakouris of Cyprus who obtained 91 votes. Rahman’s tenure will be guided by the theme, ‘Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All.’ He will succeed Annalena Baerbock of Germany, current UNGA President, assuming the presidency on 8 September 2026.

“I will dedicate myself to rebuilding trust, nurturing consensus, and opening space for good faith negotiations that will lead to outcomes for all that are owned by all,” Rahman said in his acceptance speech.

In accordance with the principle of geographical rotation, the president of UNGA 81 was to be elected from the Asia Pacific Group. Rahman was one of two candidates for the post, and informal interactive dialogues on 13 May 2026 preceded his election on 2 June 2026.

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A career diplomat, Rahman has served as the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh since 17 February 2026. His previous roles included National Security Adviser and High Representative for the Rohingya Issue in the Interim Government of Bangladesh.

In a vision statement for his Presidency, Rahman notes that the world needs a more effective and responsive multilateralism “that commands the trust of the Member States and delivers concrete benefits for all.” His Presidency will prioritize: peace and security; accelerating progress on the SDGs; climate resilience and environmental sustainability; human rights; governance of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI); and UN reform.

Congratulating Rahman on his election, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said today’s world, marked by “conflicts, divisions, rising inequality and climate chaos,” represents a “deep challenge but also profound possibility for [the UN].” “The Pact for the Future and the UN80 Initiative represent a blueprint for action, solutions and bold reforms to carry our Organization into the future,” he stated.

Also extending her congratulations, UNGA 80 President Baerbock said the role of the UNGA President “is no longer simply procedural” as consensus in the UNGA “is no longer a given.” She further noted that Rahman’s presidency will guide the Assembly as it continues to oversee the implementation of the Pact for the Future, the UN80 reform initiative, and the selection of the next Secretary-General.

The UNGA elected Afghanistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Cabo Verde, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Eritrea, Finland, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Ireland, Lebanon, Mongolia, Paraguay, Poland, and Zimbabwe as Vice-Presidents of its plenary. They join the five permanent members of the Security Council – China, France, the Russian Federation, the UK, and the US – which serve annually as Assembly Vice-Presidents.

The Assembly also elected the Bureaus of its six Main Committees: Disarmament and International Security; Special Political and Decolonization; Economic and Financial; Social, Humanitarian and Cultural; Administrative and Budgetary; and Legal. [UN Meetings Coverage] [UN News Story] [Election of UNGA 81 President]