Bangladesh is set to run for the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the first time in nearly 40 years, with Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain nominated as the official candidate by the interim government. The election will take place in June 2026, and if successful, Hossain will serve as President of the 81st UNGA session from September 2026 to September 2027.
This marks only the second time a Bangladeshi has been nominated for the role—the first being former Foreign Minister Humayun Rashid Chowdhury in the 1980s. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched a structured diplomatic campaign in support of Hossain’s candidacy, citing Bangladesh’s strong peacekeeping record and positive global standing.
Though the decision to participate was initiated by the previous government in 2020 under then Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, the current interim administration is continuing the bid. The presidency rotates among five regional groups, and 2026 is allotted to the Asia-Pacific group, of which Bangladesh is a member.
Touhid Hossain, a career diplomat from the 1981 BCS batch, has held senior roles in the Foreign Ministry and has served as ambassador in several key postings including Delhi and South Africa. His nomination places him in competition with Palestine’s Permanent Representative to the UN and the Foreign Secretary of Cyprus.
While the position has traditionally been filled by consensus, the presence of three candidates this time suggests a potentially competitive election. Former diplomats emphasize that the presidency now demands full-time presence in New York and holds significant geopolitical importance. A successful bid would elevate Bangladesh’s diplomatic standing and influence within the UN.
