Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister and President-elect of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Dr Khalilur Rahman has indicated that he may continue to hold both positions simultaneously, citing historical precedent for such arrangements.
Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, Dr Khalilur Rahman questioned the assumption that he would need to resign from his ministerial post after assuming the UNGA presidency. Referring to Bangladesh’s diplomatic history, he pointed out that Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury, the country’s last UNGA president four decades ago, had managed both responsibilities during his tenure.
Dr Khalilur Rahman noted that Bangladesh last held the UNGA presidency in 1986-87, and recalled his own experience working closely with Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury at the time. He said the former foreign minister had effectively managed both roles without stepping down from his ministerial position.
His comments come amid ongoing discussions within diplomatic circles about whether he would resign from the foreign ministry or take leave to focus on his UN responsibilities. However, Dr Khalilur Rahman clarified that resignation is not the only option under consideration.
He also referenced earlier remarks made during an informal dialogue at the United Nations on 13 May, where he suggested that he could instead take an official leave arrangement, reportedly supported by the Prime Minister, rather than stepping down completely.
The possibility of dual responsibilities is not unprecedented. Former Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid also served as UNGA President while retaining his ministerial role in 2021.
Dr Khalilur Rahman’s upcoming presidency will coincide with key global processes, including the selection of the next UN Secretary-General, as António Guterres’s term ends on 31 December 2026.
The 81st UNGA session is scheduled to begin on 8 September, followed by the annual high-level debate two weeks later in New York. In a closely contested election, Dr Rahman secured 99 votes against 91, with 190 ballots cast in total.
Officials in Bangladesh have described the victory as a significant diplomatic achievement, highlighting the country’s growing influence on the global stage and its role as a soft power actor in international affairs.
