On the eve of the formal opening of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), UN Secretary-General António Guterres held a high-level bilateral meeting with the President-Elect of the 81st Session and Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Dr. Khalilur Rahman. The strategic diplomatic dialogue took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Ahead of Dr. Rahman officially assuming his duties on Tuesday (September 8, 2026), Secretary-General Guterres extended a warm reception to the incoming UNGA President. The discussions focused on key priorities for the 81st session, global peace operations, navigating modern challenges in multilateral diplomacy, addressing the climate crisis, and coordinating joint action toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Concurrently, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Bangladesh issued a formal congratulatory message, reaffirming its full support for his historic leadership at the helm of the UN’s chief policy-making body.
Dr. Khalilur Rahman becomes the second Bangladeshi diplomat to preside over the UN General Assembly, following former Foreign Minister Humayun Rasheed Choudhury (1986–87) four decades ago. This milestone underscores Bangladesh’s growing diplomatic stature and strategic engagement in global policy formulation and international peacebuilding.
