Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman. File Photo

DHAKA, June 6, 2026 (BSS) - The United States has congratulated Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on his election as president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), while underscoring the need for sweeping reforms to make the world body more efficient and effective.

Congratulating Dr Khalilur today, the US Bureau of International Organization Affairs said the United Nations needs dramatic reform and Washington would settle for nothing less as it continues to advocate for greater efficiency, reduced costs and a renewed focus on international peace and security.

"We will measure success by the quality of results achieved for the American people, not the volume of paperwork produced," the bureau of the US Department of State said in a message.

Earlier, on June 2, Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations Ambassador Tammy Bruce extended Washington's congratulations to Dr Khalilur on behalf of the United States, the host country of the United Nations.

She said Washington looked forward to working with Dr Rahmman, both as the host country and as a UN member state, to help ensure that the United Nations fulfils its potential in advancing international peace and security.

Dr Khalilur Rahman was elected president of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on June 2 after defeating the candidate from Cyprus in a closely contested vote at the UN headquarters in New York.

Of the 190 votes cast, Bangladesh secured 99 votes, while Cyprus received 91. The 81st session of the General Assembly will commence in September this year.