Palestine withdraws UNGA presidency bid; Dhaka nominates candidate

Following the withdrawal of the Palestinian candidature, Bangladesh will now compete with Cyprus, a diplomatic source told UNB on Thursday.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has nominated Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman for the position, said the source.

Bangladesh floated her candidature ahead of Palestine.

The election of the President of the United Nations General Assembly for the eighty first session will be held on June 2 in the General Assembly Hall, UNHQs, in line with Rule 30 of the Rules of Procedure.

In accordance with the established regional rotation, the President of the eighty first session of the General Assembly will be elected from the Asia Pacific Group.

The President of the eightieth session of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock will convene the informal interactive dialogues with the candidates in May 2026.

Bangladesh last held the prestigious position in 1986 (1986-87), when the then Foreign Minister Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury was elected as President of the 41st General Assembly. Forty years later, Bangladesh is seeking to reclaim the post.

The 81st session of the UNGA will open on September 8, 2026, with the high-level General Debate beginning on September 22, 2026.

Earlier, the interim government nominated former Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain as the Bangladesh candidate, reports UNB.