Dr. Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh formally opened the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 3:00 PM local time, beginning a one-year term as president of the world's most inclusive multilateral body. He succeeds former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, and his presidency will run until September 7, 2027.
Dr. Rahman's Election Victory
Dr. Rahman's path to the presidency began on June 2, when member states cast ballots in a secret vote at UN Headquarters. He received 99 votes against 91 for his opponent, Andreas Kakouris of Cyprus, out of 190 total votes cast. The UNGA presidency rotates among five regional groups, and the Asia-Pacific group held the turn for the 81st session. Bangladesh put forward Dr. Rahman as its candidate, and his election marks a significant moment in the country's diplomatic history.
The last time a Bangladeshi led the General Assembly was nearly four decades ago, when Humayun Rashid Choudhury presided over the 41st session between 1986 and 1987. Dr. Rahman's assumption of the presidency thus breaks a long gap for Bangladesh on the global stage.
Opening of the 81st Session
Before the opening of the session, Dr. Rahman held a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York. The Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN also issued a congratulatory message, expressing its support and best wishes as he takes on the global leadership role. The session's theme focuses on restoring trust and transformation, according to the UN.
The General Assembly brings together representatives from all 193 UN member states, making it the organisation's primary policymaking and deliberative organ. It serves as the central forum where member states discuss and coordinate positions on international peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, and other pressing global issues.
Background and Related Developments
In a related development, Legit.ng earlier reported that the United Nations General Assembly is scheduled to vote on August 4, 2026, on a resolution that would formally phase out the Mercator world map in favour of a projection that more accurately represents the true size of Africa and other equatorial regions. The resolution was sponsored by Togo and is backed by all 54 other African Union member states, according to Robert Dussey, Togo's foreign affairs minister. He said the push is rooted in science rather than politics.
Dr. Rahman's presidency comes at a time when the UNGA is addressing such global issues, and his leadership will be pivotal in guiding discussions on these matters over the coming year.
