In a landmark diplomatic victory, Bangladesh has been elected President of the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO, marking the first time in its 53-year membership that the country will hold this prestigious leadership role.
At the 222nd Session of the UNESCO Executive Board in Paris on Monday, Ambassador Khondker M Talha, Bangladesh’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO and Ambassador to France, Monaco, and Côte d’Ivoire, secured the presidency by a narrow but decisive 30–27 vote over Japan.
The race initially included four contenders—Bangladesh, Japan, India, and the Republic of Korea—but India and South Korea withdrew their candidatures in September, paving the way for a final contest between Dhaka and Tokyo.
Ambassador Talha will succeed Romania’s Ambassador Simona Mirela Miculescu and preside over the General Conference, set to convene later this month in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The news was hailed as a major diplomatic triumph in Dhaka. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus described the election as “a landmark achievement” and commended the efforts of the Education and Cultural Advisers and Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to UNESCO.
“This is a proud moment for Bangladesh,” Professor Yunus said.
Education Adviser Dr. CR Abrar emphasised the global significance of the role: “This election will bring international attention to Bangladesh’s contributions in education, arts, and culture. It is a rare honour.”
Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki added that the presidency offers a powerful platform to showcase Bangladesh’s rich heritage and creative vitality. “Our active engagement in recent UNESCO sessions has already earned recognition. Now, we have an even greater opportunity to project our cultural narrative on the world stage.”
Ambassador Talha, who has served as Bangladesh’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO since 2021, expressed profound gratitude to member states for their trust. “This is a historic achievement for our country,” he said. “I pledge to uphold UNESCO’s values and advance its mission at a time when multilateral cooperation is more vital than ever.”
The election underscores Bangladesh’s growing influence in global cultural and educational diplomacy—and signals a new chapter in its international engagement.