Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman attends Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Meeting in London. Photo : MoFA

DHAKA, March 9, 2026 (BSS) - Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman led the Bangladesh delegation to the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting in London, where ministers from 56 member states discussed strengthening multilateralism and preparing for the Commonwealth summit later this year.

The meeting was held on Sunday at Lancaster House in London, bringing together foreign ministers and senior representatives from Commonwealth countries to deliberate on pressing global challenges and the future direction of the organization. 

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

The foreign ministers discussed the current global situation, particularly the erosion of the rules-based international order and the growing challenges facing international institutions and norms.

They also highlighted the role of the Commonwealth in addressing emerging global challenges and explored ways to strengthen cooperation to unlock opportunities for shared prosperity among member states.

The meeting also set the agenda and policy priorities for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled to be held in Antigua and Barbuda from November 1–4 this year.

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

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

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

The election of the UNGA President is scheduled to be held on June 2 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

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

The 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) also marked the beginning of Commonwealth Day activities, which are celebrated annually across the 56-member organisation today, the second Monday of March.

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