Dhaka, June 2 -- Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has won the election for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), defeating the candidate nominated by Cyprus in a contested vote among the 193 member states of the United Nations.

The election was held on Tuesday at 10:00 am (NY time) in the General Assembly Hall, UNHQs, in New York, in line with Rule 30 of the Rules of Procedure.

This victory has brought Bangladesh back to one of the highest offices in the multilateral system more than four decades after a Bangladeshi last held the position.

His election marks a significant milestone for Bangladesh's diplomacy and elevates the country's profile at a time when the international com...