New York/Dhaka:

Bangladesh’s role at the United Nations has expanded significantly over the past several decades, extending beyond the deployment of troops for peacekeeping operations to include sustainable development, climate change, humanitarian assistance, the Rohingya crisis, women’s and youth participation, and multilateral diplomacy. In particular, the election of Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman as President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly has given the country’s diplomatic standing a new dimension on the international stage.

Bangladesh’s Journey at the United Nations

Bangladesh’s relationship with the United Nations dates back to the country’s struggle for independence. During the 1971 Liberation War, the UN and its various agencies provided humanitarian assistance to nearly 10 million Bengali refugees who had taken shelter in India. Following independence, UN agencies continued to support Bangladesh’s rehabilitation and development efforts.

Over time, the United Nations has become one of Bangladesh’s most important development and humanitarian partners.

Presidency of the General Assembly: A Major Achievement for Bangladesh

On June 2, 2026, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman was elected President of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. In a secret ballot, he defeated Cyprus’s candidate, Andreas Kakouris, securing 99 votes out of 190. His term began on September 8, 2026.

The position is highly significant for Bangladesh. The General Assembly comprises 193 member states, each with one vote, and serves as a global forum where representatives discuss international peace and security, development, human rights, and international cooperation.

Bangladesh’s Six Priorities

Bangladesh has identified six key priorities for the 81st session:

• Peace and security
• Progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Climate action and environmental protection
• Human rights
• Governance of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence
• United Nations reform

The central theme of the presidency is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All.”

Bangladesh’s Significant Contribution to Peacekeeping

UN peacekeeping is one of the most important pillars of Bangladesh’s international identity.

According to UN data, Bangladesh has deployed 206,476 peacekeepers to various UN peacekeeping missions since 1988. As of June 2026, approximately 4,212 Bangladeshi peacekeepers were serving in nine missions.

Bangladesh’s longstanding participation in UN peacekeeping operations has made its experience in maintaining peace, supporting post-conflict reconstruction, and protecting civilians internationally significant.

However, this contribution has come at a considerable cost. The United Nations has reported that 174 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have lost their lives and 287 have been injured while serving since 1988. In 2026, six Bangladeshi peacekeepers killed in a drone attack on the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) mission in December 2025 were also posthumously awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal.

Bangladesh’s Diplomatic Importance in the Rohingya Crisis

Another major factor behind Bangladesh’s growing influence at the United Nations is the Rohingya crisis.

For nearly a decade, Bangladesh has been providing shelter to Rohingya people fleeing Myanmar. According to UN figures for 2026, approximately 1.2 million Rohingya refugees are living in Bangladesh. The United Nations has reported that around 150,000 additional Rohingya arrived in the country since early 2024.

Various UN agencies are working to ensure food, shelter, healthcare, water, sanitation, and education for the refugees.

In 2026, the United Nations and its partner organizations appealed for US$710.5 million in humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees and host communities.

Bangladesh’s diplomatic position is that the safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees is the only sustainable long-term solution. Bangladesh continues to advocate this position at the United Nations.

The Situation in Myanmar Poses a Major Challenge for Bangladesh

The ongoing conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State is creating not only a humanitarian crisis but also security and diplomatic challenges for Bangladesh.

On September 29, 2026, the United Nations expressed deep concern over reports that an airstrike in Kyauktaw, Myanmar, near Bangladesh’s border, had killed numerous people. The UN said continuing violence in Rakhine had prevented the creation of conditions necessary for the safe repatriation of Rohingya refugees.

In this context, Bangladesh’s advocacy at the United Nations on the Rohingya issue could play an important role in mobilizing international support.

UN Cooperation in Sustainable Development

Various UN agencies also play an important role in Bangladesh’s development agenda.

In 2025, the United Nations had 24 active joint programmes in Bangladesh, providing approximately US$193 million in development assistance. These programmes covered governance, participatory political processes, women and youth, media reform, and emerging technologies.

The UN is also working with Bangladesh to reduce poverty, strengthen food security, improve disaster preparedness, empower women, and build climate resilience.

Bangladesh’s Position on Climate Diplomacy

As one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, Bangladesh has long been an active participant in international climate negotiations.

Rising sea levels, cyclones, floods, river erosion, and salinity pose serious challenges to the country. Bangladesh has consistently called for climate justice, adaptation financing, and international cooperation to address climate-related loss and damage.

Climate action and environmental protection are also among Bangladesh’s stated priorities for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

Participation of Women and Young People

Bangladesh is emphasizing greater participation by women and young people in UN peace and security initiatives.

In June 2026, the United Nations reported that 294 Bangladeshi women peacekeepers were serving in various missions. Initiatives have also been undertaken to develop new infrastructure to strengthen the training and capabilities of women peacekeepers in Bangladesh.

These efforts could create further opportunities to expand Bangladesh’s contribution to international peacekeeping operations.

Bangladesh’s Role in UN Reform

Reforming the United Nations has become a major international issue in the current global order. Many countries are calling for international institutions established after the Second World War to become more effective and better aligned with contemporary global realities.

Bangladesh has also emphasized the need to improve the effectiveness of the United Nations, strengthen multilateral cooperation, and increase the participation of developing countries in international decision-making.

UN reform is one of the key priorities of the president of the 81st General Assembly.

Impact on Bangladesh’s International Image

Bangladesh’s active engagement at the United Nations is having several important effects on its international standing.

First, the country’s longstanding experience in peacekeeping has strengthened its international credibility.

Second, by hosting Rohingya refugees, Bangladesh has demonstrated its commitment to humanitarian responsibility.

Third, Bangladesh’s advocacy on behalf of countries vulnerable to climate change has gained importance in international discussions.

Fourth, the presidency of the General Assembly has further increased Bangladesh’s diplomatic visibility.

Fifth, it has created an opportunity for Bangladesh to advance the interests of developing countries and promote multilateral cooperation.

Opportunities and Challenges for Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s current position at the United Nations has created significant opportunities, but it has also increased the country’s responsibilities.

As president of the General Assembly, Bangladesh must help reconcile the differing positions of member states. Countries remain divided over complex issues, including the war in Ukraine, the Middle East, Myanmar, climate change, food security, development financing, and artificial intelligence.

The current UN leadership has also warned that conflicts, inequality, the climate crisis, humanitarian funding shortfalls, and declining trust in international institutions pose major challenges to the global order.

What Bangladesh Needs to Do Next

To turn its growing influence at the United Nations into lasting diplomatic gains, Bangladesh should focus on several priorities:

• Strengthening international support for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees.
• Keeping climate finance and climate justice at the forefront of international discussions.
• Further improving the capabilities of Bangladeshi military and police personnel serving in peacekeeping missions.
• Increasing the participation of women and young people in international peace and security initiatives.
• Deepening cooperation with the United Nations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Maintaining a balanced, pragmatic, and realistic approach to international diplomacy.

Conclusion

Bangladesh’s influence at the United Nations has entered a new phase. From peacekeeping and the Rohingya crisis to climate diplomacy and sustainable development, the country’s role in international affairs is becoming increasingly visible.

The presidency of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly represents a particularly important diplomatic opportunity for Bangladesh. Through this responsibility, the country has gained not only an opportunity to advance its national interests but also a platform to champion the interests of developing nations and provide leadership on peace, climate action, humanitarian cooperation, and reform of the multilateral international system.

However, turning this influence into lasting diplomatic achievements will require Bangladesh to maintain trust, balance, multilateral cooperation, and pragmatic diplomacy.