Shibbir Ahmed, UN, New York: The United Nations General Assembly opened its 81st session on Tuesday at United Nations Headquarters in New York, with Bangladesh’s veteran diplomat Khalilur Rahman taking over as president and calling for renewed global trust in the international organization amid wars, humanitarian crises, climate change and deepening geopolitical divisions.

Rahman formally assumed the presidency after receiving the traditional Icelandic wooden gavel from outgoing General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock. In his opening remarks, he said the United Nations must adapt to the realities of a rapidly changing world and become more responsive to the needs and expectations of people across the globe.

“We must make the United Nations fit for the future,” Rahman said, stressing the importance of listening to civil society and giving greater space to voices outside governments and traditional diplomatic institutions.

“We have a situation where trust is in deficit. This is not 1945. This is the 81st session. The world has moved on. The Organization must move on, and I’ll help that process,” he said.

Rahman has placed restoring trust and managing global transformation at the center of his presidency. His agenda includes strengthening international peace and security, accelerating progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, addressing climate change, protecting human rights, supporting refugees and migrants, promoting responsible technological development and advancing reform of the United Nations and the broader multilateral system.

The new session begins at a time of heightened international tensions, with conflicts in several regions, growing humanitarian emergencies, geopolitical rivalries, persistent poverty and inequality, and increasing concerns over climate-related disasters. The risk of nuclear escalation has also added to concerns about international peace and security.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking at the opening of the session, said rebuilding confidence in the multilateral system had become one of the defining challenges of the current era.

“Rebuilding trust in the multilateral system is the defining challenge of our time,” Guterres said, arguing that international cooperation remains essential at a moment when the world is confronting crises that cannot be effectively addressed by individual countries acting alone.

Guterres said institutions across the multilateral system, including the Security Council and international financial institutions, are under growing pressure to respond to the realities of the present day. He warned that international law and human rights are too often violated with impunity, while geopolitical mistrust and suspicion continue to prevent the international community from reaching effective solutions.

Despite those difficulties, Guterres said he remained hopeful about the ability of the General Assembly to contribute to a better future. Through diplomacy, dialogue and cooperation, he said, countries can work to rebuild trust and goodwill and help ensure that future generations inherit a more peaceful and sustainable world.

The opening of the 81st session also marked the conclusion of Baerbock’s term as president of the General Assembly. Addressing member states at the final meeting of the 80th session, she defended the continuing importance of the United Nations despite criticism of its shortcomings.

Baerbock said she was more convinced than ever of the importance and necessity of the organization. She pointed to the work of United Nations agencies and peacekeeping missions around the world as evidence of the practical impact of the international body.

She cited the role of the United Nations Children’s Fund in helping millions of children and the contribution of peacekeepers to protecting civilians in conflict-affected areas. Baerbock also warned that the positive work of the United Nations often receives less public attention than negative developments, particularly in an environment where divisive and hateful content can spread rapidly.

Climate change and sustainable development are expected to remain major issues during the new session. Rahman has called for stronger international efforts to build climate resilience and protect the environment, while also accelerating progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

The new president has emphasized the need to ensure that development reaches vulnerable populations and that no country is excluded from international efforts to address poverty, inequality, education, health, food security and other development challenges.

Human rights and humanitarian action are also central to the new presidency. Continuing conflicts and instability have displaced millions of people, increasing pressure on the international community to protect refugees and migrants and provide assistance to populations affected by war and persecution.

The rapid development of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies is another issue expected to receive greater attention. Rahman has called for technological innovation that is inclusive and responsibly governed, with appropriate safeguards to protect people and future generations.

United Nations reform is also expected to feature prominently during the 81st session. The international political and economic landscape has changed substantially since the organization was established in 1945, prompting continued debate over whether its institutions adequately reflect the realities of the contemporary world.

Questions surrounding representation, inclusiveness and the effectiveness of international decision-making have become increasingly important, particularly for developing countries seeking a greater voice in global affairs.

Another major diplomatic issue during the coming year will be the selection of the next United Nations secretary-general. Guterres is scheduled to complete his term, with his successor expected to take office in January 2027.

Rahman brings extensive diplomatic experience to the presidency of the General Assembly. He previously served as foreign minister of Bangladesh and held senior positions including national security adviser and high representative for the Rohingya issue in Bangladesh’s interim government. He has also held senior positions within the United Nations system and was a founding member of East West University in Dhaka.

His assumption of the presidency gives Bangladesh a prominent role in one of the international community’s most representative forums at a particularly challenging moment for multilateral diplomacy.

As the 81st session begins, the central challenge for the General Assembly will be whether countries can overcome deep political divisions and rebuild confidence in international cooperation. For Rahman, the task is rooted in a simple premise: the world has changed significantly since 1945, and the United Nations must evolve with it.

Shibbir Ahmed, UN, NEW YORK — The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly officially opens Tuesday in New York, bringing together the world’s nations at a time of intensifying conflicts, humanitarian crises, economic uncertainty and growing pressure on the multilateral system. The ordinary session will run from September 8, 2026, through September 7, 2027, according to the United Nations. Bangladesh’s Khalilur Rahman is serving as president of the 81st General Assembly session.

The theme of this year’s session is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.” The theme reflects growing international concern over the ability of multilateral institutions to respond effectively to war, humanitarian emergencies, climate change, inequality and rapid technological change.

The opening of the session comes as the international community faces multiple major crises, including ongoing armed conflicts and humanitarian emergencies. The General Assembly is expected to provide a major diplomatic forum for member states to discuss peace and security, sustainable development, human rights and international cooperation.

Khalilur Rahman, who was elected president of the 81st session in June, has outlined six major priorities for his presidency: peace and security, sustainable development, climate resilience, human rights and humanitarian protection, inclusive innovation and renewed multilateralism.

His vision also places emphasis on strengthening the United Nations’ ability to deliver practical results and rebuilding confidence in the multilateral system. The opening session is only the beginning of an intense period of diplomacy at UN Headquarters. The General Assembly’s high-level general debate is scheduled for later in September, when heads of state and government from around the world are expected to gather in New York.

The United Nations says the 81st session will also address major issues including peace and security, sustainable development, climate action, human rights, artificial intelligence and reform of the UN system. With the world facing deep geopolitical divisions, the 81st General Assembly is set to test whether nations can rebuild trust and find common ground through multilateral diplomacy.

Shibbir Ahmed, UN, NEW YORK — Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman is set to assume the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, placing a Bangladeshi diplomat at the helm of the UN’s most representative body at a critical moment for global diplomacy. Rahman will formally open the 81st General Assembly session at United Nations Headquarters in New York at 3 p.m. local time on September 8, succeeding Germany’s former foreign minister Annalena Baerbock. The session will run through September 7, 2027.

His year-long presidency comes as the international community faces continuing conflicts, climate emergencies, development challenges and growing concerns over trust in multilateral institutions. The United Nations has identified the theme of the 81st session as “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”

Rahman was elected president of the 81st session in June after defeating Cyprus’ candidate, Andreas Kakouris, in a closely contested secret-ballot vote. He received 99 votes, compared with 91 for Kakouris, out of 190 ballots cast.

The presidency marks Bangladesh’s return to the top post of the General Assembly after four decades. The first Bangladeshi to hold the position was former Foreign Minister Humayun Rasheed Choudhury, who presided over the 41st session in 1986–87.

Rahman’s tenure will coincide with several major developments at the United Nations, including the high-level General Debate from September 22 to 28 and the selection of a successor to Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31, 2026.

The 81st session is expected to address a wide range of global issues, including conflicts, climate change, sustainable development, pandemic preparedness, nuclear disarmament and reform of the United Nations.

For Bangladesh, Rahman’s presidency represents a significant diplomatic milestone and provides the country with a prominent platform to contribute to international consensus-building during a period of major geopolitical and institutional change.

Shibbir Ahmed, UNITED NATIONS, New York — Bangladesh is set to take a prominent role at the United Nations as Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman assumes the presidency of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, which opens in New York on September 8.

Rahman was elected President of the 81st session on June 2, defeating Cyprus’s candidate Andreas Kakouris in a closely contested vote. The election placed Bangladesh at the center of one of the UN’s most important diplomatic forums at a time of growing geopolitical tensions and challenges to multilateral cooperation.

The 81st session will run from September 8, 2026, through September 7, 2027. During his one-year term, Rahman will preside over the General Assembly’s deliberations and high-level diplomatic engagements involving representatives of the UN’s 193 member states.

A critical moment for multilateralism

The theme of the 81st session is “Restoring trust and reigniting global solidarity.” The theme reflects the UN’s effort to rebuild confidence in multilateral institutions and strengthen international cooperation at a time when conflicts, humanitarian crises, economic uncertainty and geopolitical rivalries are placing pressure on the international system.

The General Assembly remains the UN’s principal policymaking and representative body, bringing together all 193 member states. Its annual high-level debate provides a platform for world leaders to address major international challenges and outline their countries’ priorities.

Bangladesh’s diplomatic opportunity

Rahman’s election gives Bangladesh an important diplomatic platform on the global stage. As President of the General Assembly, he will be responsible for guiding the Assembly’s proceedings, facilitating negotiations and encouraging dialogue among member states. The position does not give the president executive authority over the United Nations, but it carries significant diplomatic and political visibility.

For Bangladesh, the presidency provides an opportunity to highlight issues that are important to developing countries, including sustainable development, climate change, poverty reduction, migration, global peace and security, and greater international cooperation.

The presidency also comes at a time when developing countries are pressing for a stronger voice in global decision-making and for greater access to financing for development and climate action.

World leaders prepare for high-level week

The opening of the 81st General Assembly will be followed later in September by the UN’s annual high-level week, when presidents, prime ministers and other senior leaders gather in New York. The high-level segment is scheduled for September 22–28, bringing world leaders together for discussions on global cooperation and some of the most pressing international challenges. The gathering is expected to focus attention on ongoing conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, development, climate change and efforts to strengthen the international system.

Bangladesh at the center of UN diplomacy

Bangladesh has maintained a longstanding and active role in the United Nations, particularly on issues involving peacekeeping, development and the interests of developing countries. Rahman’s election to preside over the 81st General Assembly gives Dhaka a high-profile opportunity to contribute to discussions on how the international community can address increasingly complex global challenges.

The presidency will also require Bangladesh to maintain a balance between competing positions among UN member states while ensuring that the General Assembly’s work proceeds effectively. With the 81st session beginning on September 8, attention will now turn to Rahman’s opening priorities and the issues he intends to place at the center of the Assembly’s agenda.

For Bangladesh, the presidency represents both a diplomatic achievement and a significant responsibility as the country takes the chair of the world’s largest multilateral forum for the next year.