Mumtaz Hussain
UNITED NATIONS: Ambassador Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh has been elected President of the United Nations General Assembly for its 81st session, scheduled to run from September 2026 to September 2027.
Rahman secured 99 votes out of a total of 190 ballots cast, defeating Andreas S. Kakouris of Cyprus, who received 91 votes. No abstentions were recorded.
The required majority for election was 96 votes, which Rahman surpassed by a narrow margin.
The election reflects a closely contested race, with both candidates receiving substantial support from UN member states. Rahman’s victory positions Bangladesh to play a prominent role in shaping the agenda and proceedings of the General Assembly during its upcoming session.
The President of the General Assembly oversees plenary meetings, facilitates dialogue among member states, and plays a key role in advancing multilateral cooperation on global issues.
