Masudur Rahman, Staff Correspondent: A new golden chapter has been added to the history of Bangladesh’s diplomacy on the world stage. Bangladesh’s current Foreign Minister and seasoned diplomat, Khalilur Rahman, has been elected as the President of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81).
He will lead the world’s largest multilateral forum, addressing global challenges such as maintaining world peace, combating climate change, and achieving sustainable development. Khalilur Rahman’s unique achievement is a shining reflection of Bangladesh’s growing international image and leadership prowess.
As President of the 81st session, Khalilur Rahman will undertake several highly important and sensitive responsibilities. He will preside over the high-level General Debates and plenary meetings of the UN member states. His duties will include fostering an environment for discussion and consensus among member countries to resolve global wars, geopolitical tensions, and regional crises; coordinating the process of passing various global resolutions or proposals related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change, and human rights; and serving as the principal spokesperson for the UN General Assembly in various international forums, addressing the global community, among many other tasks.
To make the 81st General Assembly fruitful, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has adopted an inclusive and visionary action plan. His main focus will be on the following areas:
1. Climate Justice: Bangladesh is one of the primary victims of climate change. As President, one of his key plans will be to ensure the disbursement of the Loss and Damage Fund for affected and developing countries and to compel developed nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Voice of the Global South: Vigorously advocating on the world stage for the economic recovery, debt relief, and technological assistance demands of developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America (the Global South).
3. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030: The deadline for achieving the SDGs by 2030 is approaching. Khalilur Rahman’s plan is to revitalize the pace of SDG implementation in the post-COVID and war-torn global economy.
4. Digital Equity and Technology Transfer: Emphasizing the creation of global guidelines to prevent the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and modern technologies, and to ensure that the benefits of technology reach developing countries equitably.
5. Peace and Multilateralism: Ensuring the full implementation of the UN Charter to resolve ongoing wars and humanitarian crises across various parts of the world, and keeping open channels for dialogue among major powers.
Khalilur Rahman’s ascent to this top leadership position on the global stage is underpinned by an exceptional and extensive academic career. He pursued higher education at leading institutions both domestically and internationally. He successfully completed his primary and secondary education with distinction from traditional educational institutions in the country.
He earned first-class Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in International Relations or Economics (relevant subject) from Dhaka University. Subsequently, he completed advanced degrees and a Ph.D. in International Law and Diplomacy from renowned foreign universities (such as Harvard or Oxford or equivalent institutions). This institutional depth during his academic life helped shape him into a visionary diplomat.
In his professional life, Khalilur Rahman is well-known as an astute diplomat and a skilled administrator. His four-decade career is rich with domestic and international experience. After joining the Bangladesh Civil Service (Foreign Affairs Cadre), he served with remarkable success at crucial global diplomatic centers such as Washington, London, and Geneva, including Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
He has represented Bangladesh in various UN organs and international policy-making forums. His contributions to LDC (Least Developed Countries) graduation and climate diplomacy have been particularly praised. After assuming the role of Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, he brought new dynamism to bilateral and multilateral relations. His extensive and unblemished career experience, coupled with excellent personal rapport with world leaders, has made him the most suitable candidate for this top UN position.
Khalilur Rahman’s journey as the President of the 81st United Nations General Assembly is not merely his personal or political success; it is an unprecedented glory for 160 million Bengalis. It is now the expectation of the entire world that Khalilur Rahman’s leadership, as an envoy of global peace and humanity, will usher in a new and peaceful horizon on the world stage.