Bangladesh elected UNESCO General Conference president for first time
Dhaka secures the presidency of UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference, marking a historic milestone in Bangladesh’s global diplomacy
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Bangladesh has been elected to preside over the 43rd General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), achieving the role for the first time since joining the agency in 1972.
The decision came on Monday at UNESCO’s 222nd Executive Board session in Paris, where Bangladesh’s ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Khondker M Talha, won a closely contested vote against Japan by 30 to 27.
The presidency rotates among regional groups and is considered one of UNESCO’s most influential positions, overseeing deliberations on global education, culture, and science policy.
Initially, Bangladesh faced competition from Japan, India, and South Korea. However, with India and South Korea withdrawing in September, the race narrowed to Dhaka and Tokyo, setting the stage for a tight final round.
Ambassador Talha will succeed Romania’s Simona Mirela Miculescu and lead the General Conference session later this month in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Bangladesh’s interim head of government, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, hailed the victory as a “landmark achievement” that reflects the country’s growing stature in international diplomacy. Senior advisers to the administration described the appointment as an opportunity to highlight Bangladesh’s leadership in education, cultural preservation, and creative industries.
Ambassador Talha, who has represented Bangladesh at UNESCO since 2021, thanked member states for their confidence. “This election affirms Bangladesh’s commitment to multilateralism and cultural cooperation at a time when global solidarity is needed most,” he said after the vote.
The election marks a turning point in Bangladesh’s foreign policy outreach, strengthening its voice in shaping UNESCO’s global agenda—from safeguarding heritage sites to advancing inclusive education across the developing world.
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