Khalilur Praises PM for Historic UN General Assembly Win

Bangla Press Desk:  Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has dedicated his election as President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to the future of Bangladesh and credited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's unwavering support and leadership for the historic achievement.

"This victory belongs to Bangladesh. This victory belongs to the Prime Minister. Had he not taken this decision and provided firm, unwavering and unconditional support, we could not have travelled a 10-year journey in just 10 weeks," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after returning from New York on Thursday.

"We dedicate this victory to the future of Bangladesh," he added.

Khalilur Rahman, who was elected President of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, also indicated that he may continue to discharge his responsibilities as both foreign minister and UNGA president simultaneously, citing historical precedent and modern technological advantages.

"Today, with uninterrupted communication and modern technology, it is entirely possible to perform both responsibilities simultaneously. It is quite normal now," he said in reply to a question.

The foreign minister said there was no reason for immediate speculation about whether he would relinquish or suspend his ministerial responsibilities.

"Will I leave this job? Is that the question? Don't be so hurried. There is precedent," he said.

Recalling Bangladesh's previous tenure in the prestigious position four decades ago, Khalilur Rahman said former foreign minister and parliament speaker Humayun Rashid Chowdhury had simultaneously served as foreign minister and President of the 41st session of the UN General Assembly in 1986-87.

"I was his private secretary and worked with him. He performed both responsibilities on a full-time basis," he said.

The remarks came amid discussions in diplomatic circles over whether Khalilur Rahman would step aside from his ministerial duties to serve full-time at the United Nations in New York.

He also cited the example of former Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, who served concurrently as President of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in 2021 while retaining his ministerial portfolio.

Responding to comparisons with the current UNGA president from Germany, Khalilur Rahman said the circumstances were different.

"He was a leader of the Green Party and his party lost the election. Therefore, he could no longer continue as foreign minister," he explained.

Khalilur Rahman secured 99 votes against Cyprus' Special Envoy for Multilateralism Andreas Kakouris, who received 91 votes in a secret ballot held at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The election marks Bangladesh's return to the presidency of the UN General Assembly after four decades.

Khalilur Rahman is the second Bangladeshi to hold the prestigious position after Humayun Rashid Chowdhury and will preside over the 81st session of the General Assembly for a one-year term beginning in September.