United Nations General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman has urged “meaningful” reforms of the global organization, with a particular focus on the Security Council, so that it becomes “fit for the future” and can restore public confidence.
Mr. Rahman, who took office as President of the 81st session of the General Assembly on Tuesday (September 9, 2026), made the remarks in response to a question from PTI during a press briefing about how his tenure could help advance the long-delayed and slow-moving process of reforming the UN Security Council.
“Reforms must be meaningful. These reforms must help regain the trust of this organisation in the eyes of the public. Unless that happens, the reforms will be regarded as marginal or perfunctory. I take this reform very, very seriously,” he said.
Mr. Rahman, who is also the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, said he will continue to support UN Secretary-General António Guterres' UN80 initiative, which seeks to make the UN system simpler, more effective and more coherent.
We are facing a crisis of trust, and the organisation needs far-reaching reforms to ensure it is prepared not just for the present, but for the future.
This is not 1945, and we are not repeating the San Francisco conference, he said, alluding to the historic gathering at which the United Nations Charter was adopted.
Observing that the world is now in the 21st century and that the UN itself is more than eighty years old, Mr. Rahman told reporters, “The world has progressed. The organisation must progress as well, and I will support that process.”
The UNGA president added that as the global body faces challenges and seizes new opportunities, he will place strong emphasis on cooperation and dialogue.
"I am not under any illusion that every issue can be settled quickly or amicably. Some matters will remain unresolved, and others may take time to address. That is acceptable. However, this should not deter us from pursuing common ground wherever possible," he said.
Mr. Rahman was elected in June as President of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, which began at UN headquarters on Tuesday (September 8). He succeeded former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
