Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman led Bangladesh’s delegation to the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) in London, where representatives from 56 member states discussed strengthening multilateral cooperation and preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth summit.
The meeting took place on Sunday at Lancaster House and brought together foreign ministers and senior officials from across the Commonwealth to review key global challenges and the future direction of the organisation.
Khalilur Rahma headed the Bangladesh delegation, which also included Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and other officials, according to a press release issued by the Bangladesh High Commission in London on Monday.
Participants discussed the current global situation, including concerns over the weakening of the rules-based international order and the increasing pressures facing international institutions and norms. The ministers also emphasised the Commonwealth’s role in responding to emerging global challenges and explored ways to deepen cooperation among member states to promote shared prosperity.
The meeting helped set priorities and the policy agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled to take place in Antigua and Barbuda from November 1 to 4 this year.
On the sidelines of the gathering, the Bangladesh delegation is expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers and senior officials from participating countries.
Diplomatic sources said Dhaka views the London meeting as an opportunity to mobilise broader 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 has nominated Khalilur Rahman for the position. Following the withdrawal of Palestine’s candidature, Bangladesh will contest the post against Cyprus.
The election for the UNGA presidency will take place on June 2 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Bangladesh last held the position in 1986–87, when then Foreign Minister Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury served as President of the 41st UN General Assembly.
The ministers’ meeting also marked the start of Commonwealth Day activities, observed annually across the 56-member organisation on the second Monday of March.
The Bangladesh delegation is scheduled to return home on March 12.
