In the secret ballot, Mr. Rahman obtained 99 votes to Mr. Kakouris’s 91. A total of 190 votes were cast, with no null votes or abstentions.
The presidency rotates among the five UN regional groups and the 81st session falls to the Asia-Pacific group. Mr. Rahman will serve as one-year term starting September 8.
His presidency will coincide with one of the most important processes on the UN calendar: the selection of the successor to Secretary General António Guterres, whose mandate ends on December 31, 2026.
Rahman brings more than four decades of diplomatic and multilateral experience to the role. Foreign Minister of Bangladesh since February, he previously served as National Security Advisor and High Representative for the Rohingya issue.
A career diplomat, he joined Bangladesh’s foreign service in 1979. He also held senior positions at the UN in New York and Geneva.
‘With humility and respect’
In accepting the role, Rahman said he was taking on the role “with humility and respect” at a time when trust in the international system was under pressure.
“The United Nations will begin its ninth decade at a time when trust in our organization is being tested on multiple fronts.”he told Member States.
“Together, these challenges tend to undermine public confidence in our organization’s ability to deliver on its promises.“
A world under pressure
The election comes amid what current General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock described as an exceptionally difficult period for multilateral diplomacy.
Addressing Member States after the vote, Ms Baerbock said the UN was facing “not only headwinds but also immense pressure”, with consensus becoming harder to achieve and upholding the UN Charter becoming “a daily necessity”.
“The role of the president of the General Assembly is no longer simply procedural,” she said.
Secretary-General António Guterres (left) and General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock (right) with Khalilur Rahman, President-elect of the 81st session of the General Assembly.
Challenges ahead
He warned that the international environment was unlikely to become easier over the next year, as the Assembly continues to work on implementing the Compact for the Future, advancing reform efforts through the UN80 initiative and navigating broader geopolitical divides.
Secretary-General António Guterres echoed those concerns, describing a world facing “conflict, division, growing inequality and climate chaos.”
It also noted slowing progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), declining funding for humanitarian action and development, and international institutions that remain “stuck in the world as it was in 1945, not in the world today.”
Six priorities for the 81st session
Rahman said his presidency would focus on six major priorities: peace and security; accelerate progress towards the SDGs; climate action and environmental protection; human rights; governance of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, and United Nations reform.
Drawing on Bangladesh’s experience in peacekeeping, he pledged to support preventive diplomacy, peacebuilding and civil protection.
He also highlighted the need to address development financing gaps, advance the implementation of the Global Digital Compact and strengthen the effectiveness of the UN at a time of increasing pressure on multilateral institutions.
‘Restore trust’
Mr. Rahman’s overall theme for the session is “Restore trust, manage transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all.“
Secretary-General Guterres described the theme as “an inspiring call to action for the multilateral system” and said it reflected a commitment to strengthen global cooperation.
The President-elect said he intends to build bridges, promising to involve all Member States and seek common ground despite growing divisions.
“As your president, I will be dedicated to rebuilding trust, fostering consensus and opening spaces for good faith negotiations that lead to results for all that are owned by all,” said.
He also pledged to uphold the UN Charter, maintain geographic and gender balance within his office, and support the needs of smaller delegations.
A wide view of the General Assembly Hall as Khalilur Rahman (on screen), newly elected President of the 81st session of the General Assembly, addresses the 85th plenary session of the General Assembly.
The world parliament
The General Assembly is the most representative body of the United Nations and brings together the 193 member states, each with one vote.
While its resolutions are generally not legally binding, the Assembly serves as the primary forum for international deliberation on peace and security, development, human rights, and international law.
The 81st session will open on September 8 and world leaders will meet two weeks later for the annual high-level debate at United Nations Headquarters in New York.