New York, June 3, 2026 — United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has extended his congratulations to Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Dr Khalilur Rahman, following his election as President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The election took place on Tuesday at the UN headquarters in New York, where Rahman emerged winner after securing the highest number of votes in a closely contested race.
The outcome was announced by the outgoing UNGA President and former German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, who confirmed that 190 member states participated in the secret ballot. Rahman polled 99 votes, while Cyprus’ candidate, Ambassador Andreas Kakouris, received 91 votes, giving the Bangladeshi diplomat an eight-vote lead.
With the result, Rahman secured the rotational seat allocated to the Asia-Pacific region for the presidency of the upcoming General Assembly session.
In his congratulatory message, Guterres described Rahman’s extensive diplomatic and political background as a strong foundation for the role, expressing confidence that his leadership would benefit both the General Assembly and the wider United Nations system. He also assured him of the UN Secretariat’s support as he assumes office.
The Secretary-General also acknowledged the leadership of Annalena Baerbock during the 80th session, commending her efforts in advancing her “Better Together” vision and steering member states toward implementing key commitments under the Pact for the Future.
He further noted Baerbock’s contribution to ongoing reform efforts through the UN80 Initiative, aimed at improving the effectiveness and responsiveness of the global body amid evolving international challenges.
Guterres highlighted that Baerbock’s tenure also reinforced the importance of gender equality within global leadership, noting her role as the fifth woman to preside over the General Assembly and her emphasis on women’s rights as a core UN principle.
Addressing the incoming President-elect, the UN chief said Rahman would assume office during a period marked by significant global challenges alongside opportunities for meaningful progress within the organisation.
He pointed to ongoing conflicts, widening inequality, and the worsening climate crisis, as well as slow progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, noting that only a fraction of the targets remain on track.
Guterres also drew attention to structural limitations within global governance systems, including institutions designed in 1945 that he said are increasingly misaligned with current global realities, alongside a growing trust deficit among nations.
He added that rising humanitarian needs, coupled with declining support for development and emergency assistance, continue to strain the international system.
Despite these concerns, the Secretary-General expressed optimism that sustained dialogue and cooperation among member states could help bridge divisions and strengthen collective action.
He said initiatives such as the Pact for the Future and the UN80 reform agenda provide a roadmap for renewed multilateral cooperation and institutional reform.
Guterres concluded that the work of the General Assembly remains central to translating these commitments into concrete outcomes that restore confidence in global governance and strengthen international cooperation.
He also noted that Rahman’s chosen theme for the session, “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All,” reflects a commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation and ensuring the UN remains effective in addressing global challenges in the modern era.
The statement reaffirmed the importance of building a more responsive and results-driven United Nations capable of meeting the expectations of the international community.