Bangladesh Foreign Minister Elected President of UN General Assembly

The United Nations General Assembly has elected Bangladesh's Foreign Minister, Khalilur Rahman, as its new President. Rahman secured 99 votes from the 193 UN member states, defeating his rival, Cypriot diplomat Andreas Kakouris, who received 91 votes.

Rahman, who recently took office as Bangladesh's Foreign Minister in February, will commence his one-year term in September. He succeeds Annalena Baerbock, the former German Foreign Minister, who held the position for a year starting in September 2025. The role of the UN General Assembly President is primarily organizational and ceremonial.

Baerbock's own election in June 2025 was marked by controversy, as the German government's initial candidate, Helga Maria Schmid, was not selected. Baerbock secured the candidacy herself as a departing Foreign Minister, a decision that drew criticism from former German diplomats. Baerbock has not yet disclosed her future plans following her tenure at the UN.