President-elect of the 81st Session of the General Assembly

The theme of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, opening on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, will be "Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all".

Election of the President of the 81st session of the General Assembly

The election took place at United Nations Headquarters, in New York, on 2 June 2026, in line with Rule 30 of the Rules of Procedure. His Excellency Khalilur Rahman (Bangladesh) was elected to serve as President of the 81st session of the General Assembly.

In accordance with the established regional rotation, the President of the 81st session of the General Assembly was elected from the Asia Pacific Group.

 

Election of H.E. Mr. Khalilur Rahman (2 June 2026; 1 hour 6 minutes)

Media stakeout of H.E. Mr. Khalilur Rahman (2 June 2026; 5 minutes)

Informal interactive dialogue for the position of President of the General Assembly for the 81st Session

In its resolution “Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly” (A/RES/71/323), the Assembly decided that candidates to the presidency of the General Assembly present their vision and conduct informal interactive dialogues with Member States, to contribute to the transparency and inclusivity of the process.

During an informal interactive dialogue, held on 13 May 2026, the candidate for the position of President of the 81st session of the General Assembly presented his vision statement and answered questions from Member States, civil society representatives and various stakeholders.

Informal interactive with H.E. Mr. Khalilur Rahman (13 May 2026; 2 hours 27 minutes)

His Excellency Khalilur Rahman
President-elect of the 81st Session of the General Assembly

Portrait of Khalilur Rahman
UN Photo/Manuel Elías

The biography is only available in a PDF format, as submitted by the then candidate to the Presidency.

Download the biography PDF

Vision Statement

The 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will open at historic crossroads. Eight decades after the UN Charter was signed in San Francisco, our shared system of multilateral cooperation faces profound challenges. Yet this moment also presents unprecedented opportunities to renew its promise for “we the peoples” in the twenty first century.

I am a candidate from the Asia–Pacific region with over thirty years of experience with the United Nations, both as a representative of Bangladesh to the General Assembly and as a senior official at the UN secretariat in New York and at UNCTAD in Geneva. Over the years, I have actively participated in sixteen UNGA sessions, engaging directly in its negotiations, high level meetings and follow up processes.

Throughout my career, I have worked extensively on development issues facing the Global South, including those related to Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Land-Locked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). I have been serving in ministerial level positions in the Government of Bangladesh since 2024.

I am convinced that our world now needs a more effective and responsive multilateralism. By working together, we can build a more robust multilateral system that commands the trust of Member States and delivers tangible benefits for all. I believe that I have the combination of knowledge, experience and leadership capabilities to effectively lead the General Assembly to advance this overarching goal.

Main Pillars of My Vision

My vision is organized around six interlocking pillars:

Pillar Title Core Focus
I Silence the Guns, Amplify the Voices Peace, Security and Justice for All
II No One Left Behind, No Country Left Out Sustainable Development, SDG Acceleration, and Countries in Special Situations
III Our Planet, Our Pact Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability
IV Rights and Protection - Freedom from Fear and Want Human Rights, Humanitarian Action, Refugees and Migrants
V Innovation with Inclusion Digital Governance, AI and the Next Generation
VI We the Peoples - Reimagined Renewed Multilateralism, UN80 Reforms and Inclusive Global Governance

Prologue: Eight Decades - A Moment for Resolve and Reform

"WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war... to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small."

- Preamble, Charter of the United Nations (1945)

These words are my constant point of reference. They remind me that this Organization was created not for easy times, but for moments of strain and uncertainty like the one we face today. Around us we see brutal conflicts, widening inequalities, unforeseen climate emergencies, erosion of trust, and an information sphere flooded with hate and disinformation. It is precisely in such times that the UN is most needed.

The 80th anniversary of the UN, marked by the UN80 Initiative, the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations, has already charted an ambitious course for renewal. The Secretary‑General's report "Shifting Paradigms: United to Deliver" calls for bold paradigm shifts in every pillar of UN work - from splintered to seamless peace operations, from fragmented development structures to joint impact, from duplicative services to shared platforms.

As President of the General Assembly, I will treat this moment not only as an anniversary but as a mandate. I will work with all Member States to build on the reform efforts already underway and to translate this emerging agenda into concrete, member‑driven decisions that make our United Nations more coherent, more effective, and more accountable to the people it serves.

Pillar I: "Silence the Guns, Amplify the Voices" - Peace, Security and Justice for All

"The pursuit of peace and progress, with its trials and its errors, its successes and its setbacks, can never be relaxed and never abandoned."

- Dag Hammarskjöld

Peace is the founding promise of the United Nations. Article 1 of the Charter affirms that our cardinal purpose is "to maintain international peace and security" and to do so in conformity with the principles of justice and international law. Yet, in many regions, conflicts, violence, and arms race continue to devastate lives and livelihoods. Civilians, especially women and children, bear the heaviest burdens.

As President, I will champion a holistic approach to peace - one that prioritizes prevention and political solutions, strengthens peacebuilding, and protects civilians. In doing so, I will draw inspiration from more than 200,000 peacekeepers from Bangladesh who have actively contributed to international peace and security.

My commitments:

  • Put political solutions first. I will use the moral authority and convening power of the General Assembly to encourage the peaceful settlement of disputes, in line with Chapter VI of the Charter. I will create space for inclusive dialogue on protracted conflicts, ensuring that people from affected regions, especially women and youth, are heard.
  • Protect civilians and uphold international humanitarian law. I will support efforts to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access and the protection of humanitarian and UN personnel, including in Gaza and other crisis settings, in accordance with international humanitarian law. I will continue to advocate for general and complete disarmament.
  • Strengthen peacebuilding and sustaining peace. I will deepen the Assembly's engagement with the Peacebuilding Commission and support implementation of the New Agenda for Peace, recognizing that sustainable peace requires investment in institutions, reconciliation, and inclusive development.
  • Advance Women, Peace and Security. Bangladesh was a member of the Security Council and a core sponsor when resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security was adopted. I will promote women's full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace processes, and encourage closer cooperation between the General Assembly, the Security Council, UN‑Women, and civil society women's networks.
  • Combat intolerance, hate speech, and disinformation. I will encourage Member States to safeguard information integrity so that misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech do not undermine social cohesion or fuel violence.

My initiatives

  • UN Peacekeeping Operations: Building on Bangladesh's legacy as a lead troop contributing country, I will spearhead dialogues on making UN peacekeeping more 'fit-for-purpose', coordinated, and cost-effective.
  • Transnational Organized Crimes: In view of the rapidly-evolving means used by transnational criminal networks, I will bring to the forefront global discussions on illicit drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, forced criminality in online scam centres and money laundering.

Pillar II: "No One Left Behind, No Country Left Out" - Sustainable Development, SDG Acceleration, and Countries in Special Situations

"Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man‑made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings."

- Nelson Mandela

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is our shared promise to "leave no one behind". Yet we know that the SDGs are off track. The 81st Session will be defined by the SDG Summit 2027 and the Global Sustainable Development Report 2027 (GSDR), which together will provide an evidence-based foundation for a final push toward 2030.

I will work to ensure that the General Assembly becomes a driver of course correction, not just a forum that witnesses missed opportunities.

My commitments:

  • Accelerating SDGs. With SDG Summit 2027 in mind, I will advocate for urgent, accelerated and targeted action on SDGs that are lagging, especially in reducing inequalities, building climate resilience, and fostering meaningful partnerships.
  • Putting countries in special situations at the center: I will draw on Bangladesh's institutional memory of often serving as the coordinator and spokesperson for LDCs across multiple forums over the last five decades. I will maintain a steadfast focus on the Doha Programme of Action for LDCs, the Awaza Programme of Action for LLDCs, and the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS. I will promote stronger interface between the 2030 Agenda and the African Union's Agenda 2063, and advocate for tailored remedies to address the multidimensional vulnerability of Middle-Income Countries.
  • Financing just and inclusive development: Building on the outcomes of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) and the Compromiso de Sevilla, I will encourage Member States to address financing gaps for achieving SDGs, operationalize commitments on debt sustainability and pursue reform of international financial architecture.
  • South–South and Triangular Cooperation: I will support efforts to strengthen South–South and triangular cooperation as complements to, not substitutes for, North–South cooperation, including through sharing of knowledge and best practices across the Global South.

My initiatives

  • Water and oceans: In the lead‑up to, and follow‑up from, the UN Water Conference in December 2026, I will keep a strong spotlight on clean water and sanitation under SDG 6, mobilizing political will and support. In parallel, I will back science‑based ocean action and stronger partnerships for conserving marine ecosystems, building on the Ocean Decade.
  • Focus on vulnerable countries: In preparation for the SDG Summit, I will facilitate high‑level informal dialogues on the development challenges of developing countries with special focus on LDCs, LLDCs, SIDS, African countries and the middle‑income countries to identify specific challenges and concrete solutions.

Pillar III: "Our Planet, Our Pact" - Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability

"The world is not ours to keep. We hold it in trust for future generations."

- Kofi Annan

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation threaten the foundations of peace, security, and development. I will work to ensure that climate resilience and environmental sustainability run through all relevant deliberations as cross-cutting issues.

My commitments:

  • Deliver on existing commitments. I will pursue inclusive dialogues focused on tangible deliveries on the existing commitments under the Paris Agreement, especially in the context of UNFCCC COP30.
  • Operationalize Loss and Damage. I will support efforts to fully operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund with accessible, predictable, and need-based financing, particularly for LDCs and SIDS.
  • Protect biodiversity, oceans, and land. I will encourage accelerated implementation of biodiversity, desertification, pollution control and ocean agreements, and support the New Urban Agenda and sustainable cities as critical arenas for climate solutions.
  • Early warning for all. I will support the global goal of universal multi‑hazard early warning systems, which are vital for saving lives and protecting livelihoods in climate‑vulnerable countries. I will also emphasize the importance of early warning and surveillance systems for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, drawing lessons from COVID-19.

My initiatives

  • Building climate resilience: I will facilitate dialogues on an integrated approach to building climate resilience that links ambitious mitigation with practical adaptation support for countries and communities on the front lines. The focus would include, among others, the wider use of Bio‑Circular‑Green models and the 3Rs agenda - reduce, reuse and recycle - across key value chains.
  • Climate mobility: Drawing on existing commitments and partnerships, I will draw global attention to the lived experiences of climate mobility within and across borders towards identifying relevant protection norms and best practices. I will underscore this issue in the context of the High-level Meeting to Address Existential threats Posed by Sea-level Rise.

Pillar IV: "Rights and Protection - Freedom from Fear and Want" - Human Rights, Humanitarian Action, Refugees and Migrants

"Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world."

- Eleanor Roosevelt

The promotion and protection of human rights remain the bedrock of the UN's core functions, and yet there appears to be a general backsliding on certain rights and freedoms across the world. There are concomitant concerns over the shrinking humanitarian space as well as disregard for the rights and protection of refugees and migrants.

It will be one of my priorities to uphold the UN General Assembly's normative work on human rights, underscore the importance of efficient and unimpeded humanitarian access, and highlight the plights of refugees and migrant workers wherever they deserve our attention.

I must recall in this context that Bangladesh has been providing shelter and humanitarian support to 1.3 million Rohingyas, forcibly displaced from Myanmar, in one of the largest such concentrations in the world. This experience has deepened our conviction that international solidarity, responsibility sharing, and predictable resources are indispensable to an effective humanitarian system.

My commitments:

  • Strengthening of the human rights architecture. I will work towards promoting synergy within and beyond the UN human rights mechanisms through multi-stakeholder partnerships. I will lend full support to the high-level meetings to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the fortieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development.
  • Sustaining humanitarian action. Against the backdrop of proliferation of conflicts in different parts of the world, I will work with all relevant partners to ensure the space, funding and safety measures required for coordinated and effective humanitarian action.
  • Protecting those on the move. I will attach particular importance to upholding the safety and dignity of refugees and migrants irrespective of their status through regular dialogues involving the countries of origin, transit and destination. I will put renewed emphasis on resolving refugee crises in different parts of the world.

My initiatives

  • Building coherence and synergy. I will strive for enhanced interface and coordination across the UN's human rights pillar and humanitarian architecture towards optimizing the resources and expertise available to the service of those most affected and vulnerable.
  • A Culture of Peace. Pursuant to Bangladesh's longstanding attachment to a Culture of Peace, I will try to encourage wider participation of women, youth and media to promote the underlying idea of living together in an environment of lasting peace, tolerance and non-violence.

Pillar V: "Innovation with Inclusion" - Digital Governance, AI and the Next Generation

"The trajectory of Artificial Intelligence will depend on our readiness to listen, to adapt, and to cooperate - across borders and disciplines."

- António Guterres

Artificial intelligence, big data, and digital platforms bring immense opportunities — but also serious risks of inequality, bias, surveillance, and misuse. The question is not whether we will use these technologies, but whether we will govern them wisely and fairly.

The Global Digital Compact, adopted at the Summit of the Future in 2024, and the establishment of the United Nations International Independent Scientific Panel on AI are important steps towards evidence‑based, inclusive governance of digital technologies.

My commitments:

  • Champion inclusive implementation of the Global Digital Compact. I will ensure that the General Assembly provides a forum for all countries - especially those from the developing world - to shape digital norms and standards, including on data governance, platform accountability, and human rights online.
  • Bridge the digital divide. I will advocate for investments in connectivity, digital literacy, and affordable access so that no Member State and no community is left offline.
  • Science, technology, and innovation for the SDGs. I will promote science, technology, and innovation (STI) as accelerators of the key "six transformations" that the UN system has identified as critical to SDG achievement - including agri-food systems transformation; health, well-being and demography; energy and decarbonization; digital connectivity; education, gender and inequality; jobs and social protection; and climate action.

My initiatives

  • Global Dialogue on AI Governance. I will work closely with the Secretary‑General to make this Global Dialogue, under the UN General Assembly's auspices, inclusive, transparent, participatory and focused on practical guardrails and capacity‑building for developing countries.
  • Youth employment. I will work closely with the United Nations Youth Office and relevant partners to to promote decent and inclusive employment opportunities for young people, including by leveraging AI and other emerging technologies, while safeguarding their rights and meaningful participation in shaping related policies.

Pillar VI: "We the Peoples - Reimagined" - Renewed Multilateralism, UN80 Reforms and Inclusive Global Governance

"Today's real borders are not between nations, but between powerful and powerless, free and fettered, privileged and humiliated."

- Kofi Annan

To restore trust in and commitment to multilateralism in general, we must demonstrate that the United Nations can adapt, reform, and deliver.

The UN80 Initiative and the mandate implementation review is expected to provide a concrete roadmap to make the UN system more agile, integrated, and impactful.

My commitments:

  • Making the General Assembly the engine of member‑driven reform. I will organize inclusive consultations to advance the ideas in "Shifting Paradigms: United to Deliver" - from consolidating peace and security structures to streamlining development entities to strengthening human rights coordination.
  • Transparency and accountability. I will maintain open channels to every mission - large or small. I will brief Member States regularly and conduct my work in a spirit of openness and accountability. While upholding Member States' decision-making prerogative, I will engage with the media, civil society, academia and private sector for their views and inputs.
  • Impartiality. I will listen to all Member States with equal respect, assess proposals on their merits, and invest my best efforts in building bridges where divides exist. I will continue to promote gender parity, equitable geographical distribution, accessibility and multilingualism under PGA's mandate.
  • Cooperation. I will work closely with the Secretary‑General, the Presidents of ECOSOC and the Security Council, and the wider UN system to promote coherence, avoid duplication, and support implementation of mandates. I will be guided by the valuable work done by the previous PGAs, and help advance the remaining work under the UN80 initiative.

My initiatives

  • Coordination with Security Council and ECOSOC. I will remain invested in enhancing the General Assembly's coordination and synergy with the work of the Security Council and ECOSOC in a visible and effective manner, as expected by our collective membership. I will sustain efforts to uphold the global representation and legitimacy of the General Assembly in the true sense of the UN Charter.
  • Promoting digital tools for system-wide coherence. I will champion the strategic application of technology across UN operations, which can serve as a powerful enabler of accountability, cost reduction, and better outcomes for Member States and the people we serve. Having led the Technology Division at UNCTAD and the Technology Bank High-Level Panel, I bring first-hand understanding of how to translate digital ambition into operational reality.

Conclusion: Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation

"Our common humanity transcends the oceans and all national boundaries. It binds us together to unite in a common cause against tyranny, to act together in defence of our very humanity."

- Nelson Mandela

As a candidate from the Global South, I carry the aspirations of developing countries, but as President, I will be everyone's President - acting without fear or favour and serving the interests of the entire membership.

The founders of the United Nations did not create this Organization to bring us to heaven, but, in Dag Hammarskjöld's words, "to save us from hell". Today, this mission endures. The Charter gives us our compass; our shared humanity gives us the determination to act.

The 81st Session will be rich with milestone events that will test our collective resolve — from addressing the existential threats of sea-level rise, to pandemic preparedness, to commemorating the Right to Development at forty, nuclear disarmament, and the Durban legacy at twenty-five. Each is more than a date on a calendar. Each is an opportunity to demonstrate that multilateralism can deliver concrete results.

If elected President of the General Assembly, I will dedicate myself to rebuilding trust, nurturing consensus, and opening space for good‑faith negotiations that will lead to outcomes for all that are owned by all.

Working together, we can restore trust in and manage the much-needed transformation of the United Nations and prove, once again, that multilateralism is not only relevant, but indispensable to a future of peace, dignity, and prosperity for all.

Acceptance Speech by H.E. Khalilur Rahman
Following his election as President of the 81st Session of the General Assembly on 2 June 2026

Madame President, Mr. Secretary-General, Excellencies, Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am truly honoured to have the opportunity to make this statement as President-elect of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

At the outset, I would like to express my deep appreciation to the Member States of the United Nations for the trust and confidence they have reposed in me. I accept the position of the President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly with humility and respect.

I would like to thank Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of Bangladesh for nominating me for the position of the President of the UNGA and for supporting our campaign strongly and consistently.

I would also like to express my appreciation to my countrymen for their support; and my team and many friends around the world for their excellent contribution to our campaign.

My family lovingly stood by me ever since my candidature was announced. Thank you.

Last but not the least, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Ambassador Andreas Kakouris of Cyprus for his constructive campaign. I wish him well in his all future endevours.

Excellencies,

The 81st session of the Assembly will open at historic crossroads. The UN will commence its ninth decade at a time when trust in our Organization is being tested on multiple fronts.

Scourges of conflict and war, from which our organization aimed to save our successive generations, continue to inflict untold sufferings.

Development gains remain fragile and uncertain, and in some cases are regressing.

Despite advancement in human rights, we witness a general backsliding of certain rights and freedoms across the world and shrinking humanitarian space.

All this is happening at a time when multilateralism has come under increasing pressure and our Organization faces financial stress.

Taken together, these challenges undermine the public trust and confidence in the ability of our Organization to deliver its promises.

Excellencies,

As I mentioned during the interactive debate, working with the Member States, I envision addressing these challenges along six pillars of action.

First, in advancing the Organization’s work on peace and security, I will draw inspiration from the work of more than 200,000 peacekeepers from Bangladesh who have contributed actively to international peace and security across the globe, from Cyprus to Sudan.

Building on my country’s experience, I would uphold the Assembly’s moral and political authority and champion a holistic approach to peacekeeping and peacebuilding that prioritizes prevention and political solution, strengthens peacebuilding and protects civilians.

I will support dialogue to make UN peacekeeping more ‘fit-for-purpose’ and advocate for greater representation of women in peacekeeping.

Excellencies,

Secondly, the 2030 Agenda is a major milestone in the work of the UN, but the gap between promise and delivery remains too wide.

Ongoing energy insecurity has added a new layer of vulnerability for many countries.

The International Energy Association has indicated that the scope of the current energy crisis could be larger than the combined size of the double energy crises of the 1970s.

As a young diplomat, I closely followed General Assembly’s deliberations on consequences of the 1970s crises on the countries of the global South.

For them, 1980s became a lost decade of development.

I intend to work closely with member States on how we can prevent another lost decade of development and protect the vulnerable people in developing countries.

On the implementation of Agenda 2030, with the SDG Summit 2027 in mind, I will work with you all to accelerate implementation of SDGs that are lagging or regressing.

Building on the outcome of FFD4 and the Compromiso de Sevilla, I will encourage member States to address SDG financing gaps, fulfill commitments on debt sustainability and pursue reform of international financial architecture.

I will be particularly mindful of achieving gender equality and full and meaningful participation of women and girls in all walks of life.

I will also be attentive to the implementation of Doha Programme of Action for the LDCs, Awaza Programme of Action for the LLDCs and the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for the SIDS.

Working with the member States, I will advance UN’s cooperation with the African Union, particularly on the Agenda 2063.

Nearly three-fifths of global poor live in the middle-income countries. Following up on a UNGA decision, I will convene a meeting to support the needs of MICs.

Excellencies,

Thirdly, on climate action I will work with the member States on delivering on existing commitments, support operationalization of Loss and Damage Fund, and protect biodiversity, oceans and land.

Against the backdrop of the Ocean Decade, I will advance initiatives to promote science-based ocean action and effective partnerships for the conservation of marine ecosystems.

I will facilitate discussions at the first conference of the parties to the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement due in January 2027.

Excellencies,

Fourthly, I will uphold UNGA’s work on human rights.

I will work towards promoting synergy within and beyond UN human rights mechanisms through multi-stakeholder partnerships.

I will lend full support of the Office of the PGA to the high-level meetings to mark the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and PoA and the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development.

I will underscore the importance of protecting humanitarian space, and remaining attentive to refugees, migrants and displaced communities whose vulnerabilities often miss the headlines.

Bangladesh knows this in human terms as we have been sheltering for years about 1.2 million forcibly displaced Rohingya nationals of Myanmar. I know it personally when I served as my Government’s High Representative on the Rohingya Issue.

Excellencies,

Fifthly, emerging technologies including AI, big data and digital platforms bring immense opportunities but also entail serious risks of inequality, bias and misuse.

The question is not whether we will use these technologies, but how we will govern them wisely and fairly.

Building upon the important work of our current PGA -- and I thank you Madam for it -- I will champion inclusive implementation of the Global Digital Compact.

I will work with UN Youth Office to address youth employment with the advent of AI and other emerging technologies.

Excellencies,

Finally, we must collectively demonstrate that the UN can adapt, reform and better deliver in order to restore trust in our Organization.

The 80th anniversary of the UN, marked by the UN80 initiative, for which I thank our Secretary-General, as well as the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations, has already charted an ambitious course for renewal of our Organization.

I will build upon these efforts and work with the member States toward making UNGA an engine of Member-driven and Member-owned reform.

I will organize inclusive consultations to advance the ideas in “Shifting Paradigms: United to Deliver” and remain invested in enhancing UNGA’s coordination and synergy with Security Council, ECOSOC and Peacebuilding Commission.

Excellencies,

As your President, I will dedicate myself to rebuilding trust, nurturing consensus, and opening space for good faith negotiations that will lead to outcomes for all that are owned by all.

I will unfailingly uphold the UN Charter and conduct the work of the Presidency in full accordance with the code of conduct of the President.

I will be the President of all of you. I will engage all Member States in the course of my work.

I will not let my personal views interfere with my work as the PGA. I will seek common ground without ignoring differences.

I will organize my office reflecting geographical, gender and linguistic balance. Creating a group within the Office of the President to specifically serve the needs of the small delegations will be one of my early priorities.

I will also hold consultations with the Secretary-General on the organization and resources for the Office of the President of the General Assembly.

I call upon all Member States to contribute to the PGA Trust Fund to help carry out the work of the Office of the President. I will work with you to ensure adequate long-term funding for a robust internship programme.

I will set up a dedicated communication team for effective outreach throughout my Presidency.

Finally, I don’t consider the work of the President as a one-off event, but as a continuum. Therefore, Madame President, I will carry forward your important initiatives. In the coming days, I will remain in close touch with you for a smooth transition of our responsibilities.

I thank you all.

Remarks by H.E. Mr. Khalilur Rahman after his election (2 June 2026; 12 minutes)

 Back to top

Quick Links

Key Documents

Resources