South Asia

Bangladesh elected president of Unesco General Conference for first time

Published: 12:17, 8 October 2025

Bangladesh has achieved a landmark diplomatic milestone by being elected president of the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO. the first time the country has ever held this top post in its 53 years of membership with the organization.

In a closely contested election on 7 October during the 222nd session of UNESCO’s Executive Board in Paris, Bangladesh’s candidate, Ambassador Khondker M. Talha, won by a narrow margin of 30–27 votes against Japan.
Initially, four nations — Bangladesh, Japan, India, and the Republic of Korea — had entered the race, but India and Korea withdrew their nominations in September, leaving Bangladesh and Japan as the final contenders.
Ambassador Talha, who serves as Bangladesh’s permanent delegate to UNESCO and also represents the country as ambassador to France, Monaco, and Côte d'Ivoire, will take over from Romania’s Ambassador Simona Mirela Miculescu. The formal handover is expected to take place later this month during the upcoming General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The presidency of the UNESCO General Conference is one of the organization’s highest and most influential positions. The president presides over the global body’s deliberations on education, science, culture, and communication — key areas of UNESCO’s mandate — and plays a vital role in shaping the strategic direction of the organization for the next two years.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus hailed the victory as a “landmark achievement” and a reflection of Bangladesh’s growing stature in global diplomacy. He also extended his gratitude to Education Adviser CR Abrar, Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, and the permanent mission team in Paris for their coordinated efforts throughout the campaign.
“This is a proud and historic moment for Bangladesh,” Yunus said, emphasizing that the achievement underscores the nation’s commitment to advancing education, cultural cooperation, and multilateralism on the world stage.
Ambassador Talha, who has been Bangladesh’s permanent delegate to UNESCO since 2021, expressed deep appreciation to the member states for their confidence and support. “This is a historic achievement for our country,” he said, pledging to work “with dedication and inclusivity” to uphold UNESCO’s values at a time when global cooperation is being tested.