UN General Assembly elects Khalilur Rahman as president of 81st session amid confidence concerns

Khalilur Rahman assumed the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly for its 81st session on Tuesday, marking the culmination of a 35‑year career within the organization that has spanned roles in peacekeeping, development, and diplomatic coordination. In his opening remarks, Rahman highlighted what he described as a “crisis of confidence” afflicting the UN, citing declining public trust, funding shortfalls, and growing skepticism about the body’s ability to address global challenges such as climate change, humanitarian emergencies, and geopolitical tensions.

Drawing on his extensive experience, Rahman pledged to prioritize institutional reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, streamlining decision‑making processes, and strengthening partnerships with member states and civil society. He emphasized the need for a revitalized agenda that balances immediate crisis response with long‑term sustainable development goals, asserting that restoring confidence will require both internal accountability and renewed collective commitment from the international community. The coming months will test the new president’s capacity to navigate these reforms while steering the Assembly through a complex geopolitical landscape.