Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman is set to attend the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) at Lancaster House in London this Sunday, marking a pivotal opportunity for Bangladesh to bolster its campaign for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The Foreign Minister will be accompanied by the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Humayun Kabir, during the five-day official visit.

The high-level gathering will bring together foreign ministers from 56 Commonwealth nations to address the role of the Commonwealth within a rapidly shifting international landscape.

The meeting, which includes an executive retreat and a formal session, will focus on forging a practical plan of action to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, and innovation.

This summit is particularly significant as it precedes the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled for November 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda, and serves as the official launch for this year’s Commonwealth Day celebrations.

For Bangladesh, the London visit serves as a strategic diplomatic platform.

Having secured broad support from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and several other partners, the Bangladesh delegation plans to engage in a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the CFAMM to further rally backing for Dr. Khalilur Rahman’s UNGA presidency bid.

Following Palestine's recent withdrawal from the race, Bangladesh is now competing against Cyprus for the Asia-Pacific regional seat.

The election is scheduled for June 2, 2026, at the UN Headquarters in New York.Bangladesh last held the presidency of the General Assembly in 1986, when the late Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury presided over the 41st session.

Reclaiming this role forty years later remains a top foreign policy priority for the current administration under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

With Inputs from UNB