Bangladesh has moved into direct competition with Cyprus for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly after Palestine withdrew its candidate, diplomatic sources said on Thursday.
Following the withdrawal, Bangladesh and Cyprus are now the two contenders for the post, which is allocated to the Asia-Pacific region for the 2026–27 term. The election is scheduled to take place in June at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has nominated Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman as Bangladesh’s candidate, the source said. Bangladesh had announced its candidature earlier, ahead of Palestine.
If elected, Bangladesh would return to a role it last held nearly four decades ago. The late Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury, then foreign minister, served as President of the 41st session of the UN General Assembly during 1986–87.
The presidency of the General Assembly rotates among regional groups, with the Asia-Pacific region set to fill the position in the upcoming term.
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