Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman was elected as the President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly which will begin in September.
In the election held on Tuesday, Rahman received 99 votes, while his rival from Cyprus was behind with 91 votes, out of a total of 190 votes.
The current President of the UN General Assembly, who is also the former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, "warmly" congratulated Rahman on his election.
Promising to work together until Rahman takes office, he said: "The role of the President of the General Assembly is no longer merely procedural, reading the minutes, because even in the procedural rules themselves, the rules are being challenged, as we have experienced many times before," reported Anadolu (5/6).
Saying the 81st session would not be "any easier over the next three months," Baerbock stressed Rahman was "more than ready" for the position, adding "your decade-long diplomatic and multilateral experience will serve you well during the 81st session, which promises very important consequences as you strive to build a more effective, responsive, and trustworthy multilateral system."
In his remarks, Rahman pointed to the challenges facing the UN, saying the international body "is being tested in many areas, the scourge of conflict and war, from which our organization aims to save our future generations, continues to cause untold suffering."
"Overall, these challenges tend to undermine public confidence in our organizations' ability to deliver on their promises, and these are challenges I will face with all of you," he said.
He promised to take a "holistic approach to peacekeeping and peacebuilding that prioritizes prevention and political solutions, strengthens peacebuilding, and protects civilians."
"I will support dialogue to make peace operations more in line with their objectives and advocate for greater representation of women in peace operations," she said, further pledging to "take note of the achievement of gender equality and the full and meaningful participation of women and girls in all areas of life."
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres congratulated Rahman on his election and said: "His theme is an inspiring call to action for the multilateral system, 'Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: a United Nations that Works for All.'"
"This reflects its commitment to strengthening the global problem-solving system that has benefited the world since 1945," said Secretary-General Guterres.
Promising "full support" to Rahman, the UN Secretary-General also said: "Your extraordinary political and diplomatic experience is a guarantee of a fruitful success not only for the General Assembly but also for the United Nations as a whole."
He also thanked Baerbock for her efforts, saying that "as the fifth woman to serve as President of the General Assembly, she has consistently reminded us that women's rights are embedded in the founding principles of the United Nations and are essential to global justice."
While acknowledging the "heavy" challenges around the world, Guterres said: "But the hard work of diplomacy, dialogue, and collaboration that takes place every day in this General Assembly gives me new hope that we can turn division into a determination to work for a common goal."
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