Bangladesh foreign minister leaves Dhaka to assume United Nations General Assembly presidency

Bangladesh foreign minister Khalilur Rahman left Dhaka on Sunday night for New York to assume the presidency of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), according to a foreign ministry official.

Khalilur departed shortly after 8:20 p.m. on an official visit, with a transit in Dubai, and is scheduled to remain abroad from Aug. 31 to Oct. 21.

The UNGA session will formally open Sept. 8, with world leaders gathering later in the month for the annual high-level General Debate at United Nations (UN) headquarters.

Khalilur has identified rebuilding trust, fostering consensus, and creating space for constructive negotiations as priorities. He has pledged to serve as a bridge-builder, uphold the UN Charter, and support geographical and gender balance in the president’s office.

Bangladesh is expected to use the presidency to spotlight national and regional issues, particularly the Rohingya crisis.