Bangladesh’s Ambassador Elected President of UNESCO’s General Conference
| Khandaker Mohammad Talha was elected President of UNESCO’s General Conference by consensus following Japan’s withdrawal. |
7 October 2025 – Paris | During the 222nd session of UNESCO’s Executive Board, held at the Organization’s Headquarters in Paris, Khandaker Mohammad Talha, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Bangladesh to UNESCO, was elected President of UNESCO’s General Conference by consensus among Member States, following the withdrawal of the Japanese candidate.
Mr. Talha, a senior Bangladeshi diplomat, has more than two decades of experience in international relations. He joined Bangladesh’s Foreign Service in 1995 and has held key positions, including Director-General for East Asia and the Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy High Commissioner in London, Chief of Protocol in Dhaka, and representative of Bangladesh’s missions in New York and Geneva. He has also held various responsibilities within the framework of the United Nations, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
In this regard, Dr. Ahmad Pakatchi, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the Islamic Republic of Iran to UNESCO, and Dr. Hassan Fartousi, Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, met with Mr. Talha to congratulate him on his election as President of UNESCO’s General Conference. They reaffirmed the Islamic Republic of Iran’s support during his tenure in this important role and wished him every success.
Role and Responsibilities of the President of the General Conference
The President of UNESCO’s General Conference is responsible for chairing official meetings, facilitating decision-making processes, overseeing compliance with the Rules of Procedure and announcing decisions. During their term, the President also serves as an ex officio member of UNESCO’s Executive Board in an advisory capacity.
