UK Pledges 'Due Consideration' for Bangladesh's UN General Assembly Presidency Bid

UK Assures Consideration for Bangladesh's UNGA Candidacy

The United Kingdom has assured Bangladesh of 'due consideration' for its candidature for the Presidency of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) for the 2026-2027 term. This assurance was conveyed by British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, during a courtesy call on newly appointed Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Bangladesh's Bid for the Prestigious Role

During the meeting, Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman officially sought London's support for Bangladesh's bid. High Commissioner Cooke committed to relaying the credentials of the Bangladeshi candidate to her headquarters, noting the high level of competency involved. The presidency of the UN General Assembly rotates annually among five geographic groups, with the 81st session specifically allocated to the Asia-Pacific Group. Bangladesh is now set to contest against Cyprus for the position, following the withdrawal of Palestine's candidature. The election for the President of the 81st session of the UNGA is scheduled to take place on June 2 at the UN Headquarters in New York. The 81st session itself is slated to open on September 8, 2026. Notably, Bangladesh last held this prestigious position in 1986-87, when then-Foreign Minister Humayun Rashid Chowdhury was elected President of the 41st General Assembly.

International Support and the Role of UNGA President

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states have already pledged their full and unequivocal backing for Bangladesh's candidacy, committing to actively campaign worldwide in support of Dhaka's bid. The President of the UN General Assembly serves as the chair and presiding officer of the General Assembly, a position voted on a yearly basis. This role is crucial for enforcing rules of procedure, directing discussions, and making recommendations on a wide array of international issues, including peace and security, human rights, and development. The UNGA is the only universally representative body of the United Nations.

Broader UK-Bangladesh Cooperation Discussed

Beyond the UNGA presidency, the meeting between High Commissioner Cooke and Foreign Minister Rahman encompassed discussions on strengthening cooperation across various sectors. These included:

• Economic growth
• Migration
• Security cooperation
• Climate change
• The Rohingya issue

Minister Rahman specifically urged the UK to maintain its leadership role at the UN Security Council and other international forums to facilitate the speedy repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the deep historical ties and the vibrant Bangladeshi diaspora in the UK, which acts as a vital bridge between the two nations.