Palestine withdraws UNGA presidency bid; Bangladesh nominates candidate

Palestine has withdrawn its candidature for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly for the 2026–2027 term.

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 its candidature ahead of Palestine.

The election for the president of the 81st United Nations General Assembly will be held on June 2 in the General Assembly Hall at United Nations Headquarters, in line with Rule 30 of the Rules of Procedure.

In accordance with the established regional rotation, the president of the 81st session of the General Assembly will be elected from the Asia-Pacific Group.

Annalena Baerbock, president of the 80th session of the General Assembly, will convene informal interactive dialogues with the candidates in May 2026.

Bangladesh last held the prestigious position in 1986–87, when then Foreign Minister Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury was elected 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.

Published in: The Daily Star