Khalilur attends Commonwealth foreign ministers’ meeting in London

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman led the Bangladesh delegation at the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting in London, where representatives from 56 member states discussed strengthening multilateralism and preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth summit later this year.

The meeting was held on Sunday at Lancaster House, bringing together foreign ministers and senior officials from across the Commonwealth to deliberate on pressing global challenges and the future direction of the organisation.

The Bangladesh delegation, headed by Rahman, also included Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and other officials, according to a press release issued today by the Bangladesh High Commission in London.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed the current global landscape, focusing on the erosion of the rules-based international order and the increasing challenges faced by international institutions and norms.

They also emphasised the Commonwealth’s role in addressing emerging global issues and explored ways to strengthen cooperation to unlock opportunities for shared prosperity among member states.

The discussions helped set the agenda and policy priorities for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled to take place in Antigua and Barbuda from November 1 to 4 this year.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the Bangladesh delegation is expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers and senior officials from participating countries.

Diplomatic sources said Dhaka sees the London meeting as an important opportunity to mobilise broader international support for Bangladesh’s bid for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the 2026–2027 term.

Bangladesh has nominated Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman for the position. Following the withdrawal of Palestine’s candidature, Bangladesh will contest the post with Cyprus.

The election for the UNGA presidency is scheduled to take place on June 2 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Bangladesh last held the presidency of the UN General Assembly in 1986–87, when then Foreign Minister Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury served as President of the 41st session.

The 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) also marked the start of Commonwealth Day activities, observed annually across the 56-member organisation on the second Monday of March.

The Bangladesh delegation is expected to return home on March 12.