Khondkar M Talha, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative and Ambassador to France, has been elected as the President of the 43rd General Conference of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Paris announced this news on Tuesday, October 7. UNESCO’s headquarters is also located in Paris.

In the election, Khondkar M Talha defeated Japan’s Ambassador Takehiro Kano by a narrow margin of 30 to 27 votes. Initially, candidates from Bangladesh, Japan, India, and South Korea participated, but India and South Korea later withdrew their nominations.

This marks the first time in Bangladesh’s 53-year history as a UNESCO member that a Bangladeshi has been elected to such a prestigious international position, a milestone regarded as a great honor for the country.

The President of the UNESCO General Conference is elected at the start of each session and serves until its conclusion. The upcoming 43rd General Conference is scheduled to take place from October 30 to November 13. The previous president was Simona Mirela Mikulescu, Romania’s Ambassador.

Khondkar M Talha’s election strengthens Bangladesh’s diplomatic presence on the international stage. It opens doors for Bangladesh to play a more active role in UNESCO’s policymaking and global discussions, while significantly boosting international cooperation in key national sectors such as education, culture, science, and heritage preservation.

The Bangladeshi community residing in France has expressed joy and pride over this historic achievement. Various expatriate organizations, including the France-Bangladesh Journalists Association (FBJA), Bangladesh Community in France (BCF), BNP France Chapter, Bangladeshi Citizens Council France, NCP Diaspora Alliance France Chapter, and Bangladesh Nationalist Expatriates Unity (BNDU), have extended their congratulations and best wishes to the Bangladesh Embassy and its team in Paris.