New Delhi, June 3 -- Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has been elected President of the UN General Assembly's 81st session after defeating Andreas Kakouris of Cyprus in a closely contested vote.

With the victory on Tuesday, Rahman has positioned himself to steer the world body through a pivotal year marked by intensifying global crises, United Nations said in a statement.

In a secret-ballot election, Rahman secured 99 votes to Kakouris's 91. A total of 190 ballots were cast, with no invalid votes or abstentions.

The presidency rotates among the UN's five regional groups, and the 81st session falls to the Asia-Pacific group. Rahman will serve a one-year term starting on 8 September.

Rahman's presidency will coincide with o...