Shibbir Ahmed, United Nations, New York: Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has assumed the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, pledging to prioritize dialogue, cooperation, rebuilding trust and meaningful reform of the world body. Speaking to reporters at UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday ahead of the formal opening of the 81st session, Rahman said the multilateral system is facing unprecedented pressure and a growing deficit of trust.

Against this backdrop, he stressed the importance of finding common ground among countries despite their differences and pursuing solutions through dialogue and cooperation. According to the United Nations, Rahman was elected president of the General Assembly on June 2, 2026, and formally took office on September 8. He will preside over the 193-member General Assembly for the next year. The theme of the 81st session is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”

Rahman acknowledged that many international disputes cannot be resolved quickly. However, he said disagreements should not prevent countries from identifying areas of common interest and working together. He said his presidency would remain firmly grounded in the UN Charter and the mandates entrusted to the organization by its member states. He also emphasized that global challenges can be addressed more effectively when countries work collectively and seek solutions through dialogue rather than confrontation.

UN Reform a Key Priority

Meaningful reform of the United Nations will be one of the central priorities of Rahman’s presidency. He said deeper reform is necessary to make the world body more effective and better prepared to respond to the challenges of the future. According to Rahman, public confidence in the United Nations has declined, making it necessary to strengthen the organization not only for the present but also for the generations ahead.

His broader agenda for the 81st session includes peace and security, progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals, climate and environmental protection, human rights, governance of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, and reform of the United Nations. Rahman also pledged continued support for UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ reform efforts.

Giving Greater Space to Voices Beyond Governments

Rahman also called for greater participation in UN affairs by civil society, the media, academics, industry and innovation communities. Referring to the opening words of the UN Charter, “We the peoples of the United Nations,” he said the organization should not be viewed solely as an institution of member states.

He stressed the need to create greater opportunities for people from different sectors to contribute their views and participate in the work of the United Nations. While “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation” remains the central theme of his presidency, Rahman said making the United Nations fit for the future would also be a major objective.

Pledge to Keep Rohingya Voices Heard

Responding to a question about how the United Nations can represent stateless populations, particularly the Rohingya, Rahman said the concept of “the peoples of the United Nations” should not be restricted by nationality or legal status.

Drawing on his previous experience as Bangladesh’s High Representative on Rohingya Issues, he said he had witnessed firsthand the suffering of forcibly displaced Rohingyas and their strong desire to return to their homeland.

Recalling a visit by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, Rahman said refugees had repeatedly expressed their desire to return home. He said Bangladesh had helped bring the voices of the Rohingya to the United Nations and pledged to continue raising their concerns during his presidency.

Dialogue During High-Level Week

Rahman described the presence of world leaders at the upcoming high-level week as an important opportunity to promote dialogue and diplomacy. The General Debate of the 81st General Assembly is scheduled to take place from September 22 to 28, bringing together heads of state and government and senior representatives from around the world.

Rahman expressed hope that world leaders would use their addresses to emphasize dialogue and diplomacy as means of resolving conflicts and reaffirm their commitments to development, human well-being and human rights. He said the presidency would review the priorities outlined by world leaders and seek areas that could form the basis of a common agenda.

“I Will Be President for All Countries”

Rahman emphasized that, as president of the General Assembly, he would represent all member states, regardless of whether they supported his election. He also addressed the selection of the next UN secretary-general, saying he would remain faithful to the process established by the UN Charter.

Under the Charter, the Security Council recommends a candidate for secretary-general and the General Assembly makes the appointment. Rahman said he would work closely with member states and the president of the Security Council to facilitate the process and ensure a smooth transition of leadership.

The 80th session of the General Assembly concluded at UN Headquarters on September 8, followed by Rahman’s formal assumption of the presidency of the 81st session. His election marks Bangladesh’s return to the presidency of the General Assembly after four decades. Former Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Humayun Rashid Choudhury presided over the 41st session in 1986-87.

Rahman, who first attended the United Nations as a member of Bangladesh’s delegation in 1985, described his return to the organization four decades later as a remarkable moment, while noting how dramatically the world has changed during the intervening years.

As president of the 81st session, Rahman will seek to promote dialogue in a deeply divided world, rebuild confidence in multilateralism and help make the United Nations more effective in confronting the challenges of the future.

DHAKA – President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today urged the United States to simplify its visa processing procedures for Bangladeshi tourists and business people to facilitate people-to-people and business ties between the two countries. The President made the call when US ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christenen paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban this morning.

During the meeting, the US envoy congratulated the President on his assumption of office as the President of Bangladesh. Recalling the past US investment and cooperation in the country’s agricultural development, the President called for further US investment and cooperation in the country’s development sector.

He also referred to Chevron’s investment and important role in the development of the country’s energy sector and urged increased US investment in Bangladesh’s energy, information technology, infrastructure, and health and high-tech industries sectors. The President also sought US cooperation in ensuring the safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland.

Thanking the US ambassador, the President said, “The United States is one of the Bangladesh’s important development partners. The existing trade relations with the US are playing an important role in Bangladesh’s economic development.”

On international relations, the President said, “Bangladesh attaches the highest importance to the principles of independence, sovereignty, national interest, mutual respect and equality in its international relations.”

He expressed the hope that bilateral relations and trade agreements with the United States would be further expanded in the days to come through mutual respect while protecting common interests. Referring to the recent bilateral trade agreements with US, the President said, “This is an important development in expanding the trade relations between the two countries.”

“There is a scope to make the agreement more balanced and mutually beneficial, taking into consideration the economic realities and interests of both the countries,” he added.

The ambassador assured that the US would continue its cooperation with Bangladesh and stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with ASEAN countries. He also reiterated his US’s interest in further deepening and diversifying relations with Bangladesh. Military secretary to the President and Press Secretary and senior officials were present during the meeting.

DHAKA – Bangladesh and China today discussed launching a State Minister-level Diplomacy and Defense Dialogue alongside an early Foreign Minister-level Strategic Dialogue as the two countries seek to further deepen their strategic partnership. The issue was discussed when Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir at the foreign ministry here, according to a ministry press release.

During the meeting, Kobir described China as a “trusted friend and valued strategic partner” of Bangladesh and reaffirmed Dhaka’s commitment to the One-China Principle. He expressed satisfaction over the renewed momentum in bilateral relations and the elevation of the ties to a “China-Bangladesh Community with a Shared Future” following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s recent visit to China.

The two sides discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including cooperation on the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration and the early launching of the Foreign Minister-level Strategic Dialogue.

They also discussed beginning the State Minister-level Diplomacy and Defense Dialogue, initiating the process for exporting Bangladeshi jackfruit and guava to China, the China-Bangladesh-Myanmar Economic Corridor and cooperation on the Rohingya issue.

Ambassador Yao congratulated Kobir on assuming office and sought his support to further advance the longstanding and close relationship between the two countries.

He also conveyed felicitations from China’s Executive Deputy Foreign Minister to the state minister. The Chinese envoy briefed Kobir on progress regarding outcomes of the prime minister’s recent China visit, including the groundbreaking of the China Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) and signing of a commercial contract for modernisation of Mongla Port.

Possible cooperation on establishing a Mongla Export Processing Zone (EPZ) also featured in the discussion. Yao said the CEIZ is expected to attract around 30 Chinese companies with approximately US$500 million in investment, potentially creating an estimated 100,000 jobs for Bangladeshis.

The ambassador also briefed the state minister on upcoming high-level exchanges and visits, including planned visits to Bangladesh by the Vice President of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), the Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), and the Executive Vice Governor of Yunnan Province. Yao also invited Kobir to visit China in October this year.