Khalilur Rahman (Bangladeshi Diplomat) Biography

Quick Info

Profession	Diplomat, Economist
Nationality	Bangladeshi
Date of Birth	01/04/1954
Age	72 years
Birthplace	Bangladesh

Latest News about Khalilur Rahman

02/06/2026

Khalilur Rahman was elected president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in a secret-ballot vote at UN headquarters in New York. He won 99 votes against Cyprus candidate Andreas Kakouris, who received 91 votes, in a closely contested election. The result positioned him to lead the General Assembly during a year focused on UN reform, global crises, and major leadership transitions.

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Physical Stats & More

Height	5' 7" (171 cm)
Eye Colour	Black
Hair Colour	Black

Educational Qualification(s)

College/University	University of Dhaka, Bangladesh The Fletcher School, Medford, Massachusetts Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, U.S.
Qualifications	Master's in Economics from University of Dhaka Master's in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School Doctor of Philosophy in Economics, Harvard Kennedy School

Personal Life

Religion	Islam
Hobbies	Reading Travelling

Relationships & More

Marital Status	Married

Family

Wife/Spouse	Nurun Nahar Rahman
Children	Daughter - 2

Career

Highlights	In 1977, stood first class first in MA examinations in Economics at Dhaka University. Joined the Bangladesh Civil Service in 1979. Served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as Private Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Represented Bangladesh at the Economic and Financial Committee of the UN General Assembly. Spokesperson for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and aide to the President of the 41st session of the UN General Assembly. Joined the United Nations secretariat in 1991 as a Special Adviser at UNCTAD in Geneva. Led drafting of the Programme of Action of the Brussels LDCs Conference in 2001. Played a key role in the formulation of historic duty and quota free treatment of LDCs exports. Returned to government service as Private Secretary to the Chief Adviser of the caretaker government in 2001. Founder of East West University in Dhaka, served on its Board of Trustees until November 2025. Appointed High Representative on the Rohingya Issue in November 2024. Appointed National Security Adviser to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in April 2025. Became a technocrat minister of foreign affairs in February 2026. Elected President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in June 2026.

Highlights

In 1977, stood first class first in MA examinations in Economics at Dhaka University.
Joined the Bangladesh Civil Service in 1979.
Served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as Private Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Represented Bangladesh at the Economic and Financial Committee of the UN General Assembly.
Spokesperson for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and aide to the President of the 41st session of the UN General Assembly.
Joined the United Nations secretariat in 1991 as a Special Adviser at UNCTAD in Geneva.
Led drafting of the Programme of Action of the Brussels LDCs Conference in 2001.
Played a key role in the formulation of historic duty and quota free treatment of LDCs exports.
Returned to government service as Private Secretary to the Chief Adviser of the caretaker government in 2001.
Founder of East West University in Dhaka, served on its Board of Trustees until November 2025.
Appointed High Representative on the Rohingya Issue in November 2024.
Appointed National Security Adviser to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in April 2025.
Became a technocrat minister of foreign affairs in February 2026.
Elected President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in June 2026.

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. In 1977, Rahman stood first class first in MA examinations in Economics at Dhaka University.
2. Joined the Bangladesh Civil Service in 1979.
3. Served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as Private Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
4. Represented Bangladesh at the Economic and Financial Committee of the UN General Assembly.
5. Spokesperson for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

Khalilur Rahman Diplomat, Economist Bangladeshi Bangladesh