UNGA 81st session begins under Bangladesh’s Khalilur Rahman presidency

The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has commenced under the presidency of Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman.

The meeting of the President and Credentials Committee of the General Assembly formally opened on Tuesday (September 8) at the UN General Assembly Hall in New York.

Dr. Khalilur Rahman, also a seasoned diplomat, was presiding over the 81st session of the General Assembly, which began on September 8.

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was seen to his left while Movses Abelian, the Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management, was to his right.

Moreover, delegates stood in silence during the initial minutes of the meeting. The UN Secretary-General delivered opening remarks.

‘Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All’ is the theme of the 81st session of UNGA 2026. During his opening remarks on Tuesday (September 8), Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman pledged to work tirelessly to restore confidence in the organization.

According to him, trust in the Organization is a prerequisite for realizing the collective aspirations of member states.

Peace and justice, sustainable development, the planet and climate, rights and protection, digital technologies and artificial intelligence, and enhancing the effectiveness of the United Nations and the multilateral system are the six thematic clusters.

How Dr. Khalilur Rahman Secured the Post

The election of the President of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly took place on June 2 this year at the UN headquarters in New York. In accordance with Rule 30 of the UN General Assembly Rules of Procedure, the election was held.

According to the regional rotation system, the Asia-Pacific region was due to provide the President for the 81st session. In the election, Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman was elected President of the 81st Session of the General Assembly with the support of 99 votes.

After being elected, Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman pledged to contribute to rebuilding trust, forging consensus, and fostering mutual understanding among member states.

Dr. Rahman stated that he would serve as President for all member states, seeking common ground while recognizing divergences.

Who is Dr. Khalilur Rahman?

Dr. Khalilur Rahman is the current Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. He served as the National Security Adviser to the interim government and the High Representative for Rohingya Affairs before being named Foreign Minister in February 2026. He has had a diplomatic and UN career spanning several decades.

In 1979, he was hired as a member of the diplomatic service in Bangladesh. He finished first in Bangladesh’s first regular Civil Service examination.

Dr. Rahman has served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the UN in New York. He has served as spokesperson for the Least Developed Countries Group in the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) of the General Assembly. In addition, he has extensive experience in the United Nations, having worked there for many years.

Dr. Rahman served as a Special Advisor to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva in 1991. He held several senior posts in New York and Geneva over the next twenty-five years. He has more than thirty years of experience working in the United Nations.

Topped Dhaka University, Higher Studies in Harvard and Tufts

Dr. Khalilur Rahman received his early education in Cumilla and studied at Dhaka University. In 1977, he topped the First Class MA Economics examination.

He earned an MA in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and a PhD in Economics from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in the United States.

Dr. Rahman was a co-founder of East West University in Dhaka and served on its Board of Trustees.

Dr. Rahman has written and contributed significantly to numerous UN publications, including the Secretary-General’s reports on trade, finance, and development, as well as the UNCTAD Secretary-General’s reports on trade and development.

81st Session of General Assembly Will Last for One Year

According to information from the UN, the 81st regular session of the General Assembly started on September 8, 2026, and will end on September 7, 2027.

The main part of the regular sessions of the General Assembly is usually held in September and October, covering a wide range of issues. In January, meetings and events on various topics are resumed.

The UN General Assembly is one of the six main organs of the UN, where representatives of member states discuss and make decisions on global issues. The UNGA addresses a number of critical global issues, including international crises, international security, development, human rights, climate change, and international cooperation.

According to the President of the UN General Assembly’s policy statement, the 81st Session of the General Assembly begins at a time when humanity is confronted with unprecedented crises, such as wars and conflicts, escalating social inequality, a climate catastrophe, a breakdown of trust in the international system, and an information revolution that promotes hatred and disinformation.

Therefore, the 81st Session is of exceptional importance to Bangladesh in terms of reputation as it is held under the leadership of a representative of Bangladesh. In addition, the President of the General Assembly, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, will have an even greater impact on multilateral diplomacy, the prospects of developing countries, and the future of the UN reforms during his year-long tenure.