Khalilur Rahman

Diplomat, Economist

Bangladeshi Bangladesh

Quick Info

ProfessionDiplomat, Economist
NationalityBangladeshi
Date of Birth01/04/1954
Age72 years
BirthplaceBangladesh

Latest News about Khalilur Rahman

02/06/2026

Khalilur Rahman was elected President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 2 June 2026 at UN headquarters in New York, defeating Cyprus Ambassador Andreas Kakouris with 99 votes to 91. The 72-year-old Bangladeshi Foreign Minister will assume the one-year term in September 2026, succeeding Annalena Baerbock, to lead the Assembly during a period focused on UN reform and global crises.

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Bio/Wiki

Khalilur Rahman is a prominent Bangladeshi diplomat and economist who currently serves as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was elected as the President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in June 2026, succeeding Annalena Baerbock.

Physical Stats & More

Height5' 7" (171 cm)
Eye ColourBlack
Hair ColourBlack

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

ReligionIslam
Hobbies
  • Reading
  • Travelling
Languages
  • Bengali
  • English

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried

Family

Wife/SpouseNurun Nahar Rahman
ChildrenDaughter - 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.

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).
6. Served as High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Canada from August 2020.
7. Led Bangladesh's collaboration with foreign countries on pandemic management, including vaccine procurement negotiations in 2020.
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