Cyprus is in the final stretch of its bid to lead the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, with member states scheduled to vote on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, at 10am at UN headquarters in New York.
The presidency of the 81st session falls, by established regional rotation, to the Asia-Pacific Group, to which the Republic of Cyprus belongs within the UN's regional grouping system. The two candidates before member states are Cypriot Ambassador Andreas Kakouris and Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman.
Nicosia has presented Kakouris's candidacy as one in favour of practical multilateralism, restoring confidence in the UN, and strengthening the role of the General Assembly at a time of acute international crises and institutional pressure. In his formal presentation, Kakouris said the presidency is called to guide collective efforts "at a time when trust in multilateralism is being tested."
During an informal interactive dialogue convened by the president of the 80th session, Annalena Baerbock, Kakouris described the upcoming session as "critical," noting it will coincide with the selection process for a new UN Secretary-General and the implementation of the Pact for the Future. "The United Nations is our collective home," he said, and there is a responsibility to safeguard it "through practical multilateralism, restoring trust, strengthening effectiveness, and ensuring it works for everyone."
The contest between Cyprus and Bangladesh takes place as the General Assembly faces overlapping challenges: institutional renewal, funding pressures, reform implementation, and deepening geopolitical divisions. Baerbock has herself described the coming session as "particularly critical" given those converging pressures.
Source: CNA
