Several Muslim-majority countries, including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Palestine and The Gambia, have expressed their full support for Bangladesh’s candidacy for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The assurances were given during separate meetings held on Friday in Jeddah on the sidelines of an emergency session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman met with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Saudi Vice Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji, Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulaklikaya, Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian, and Gambian Foreign Minister Serigne Modou.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the bilateral meetings focused on issues of mutual interest alongside discussions at the OIC gathering on Palestine.

The government has nominated Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman as Bangladesh’s candidate for the UNGA presidency election, scheduled to take place in June.

During the discussions, OIC leaders congratulated Prime Minister Tareq Rahman on his assumption of office following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s electoral victory. They expressed hope that Bangladesh would achieve political stability and accelerate development under his leadership. The leaders also praised Bangladesh’s consistent stance on the Palestinian issue and formally conveyed their backing for its UNGA bid.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar fondly recalled his meeting last year with the late Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. He said Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif looks forward to visiting Bangladesh to personally extend his congratulations to Prime Minister Tareq Rahman. Dar expressed optimism about stronger bilateral relations under Bangladesh’s new government.

Türkiye’s Deputy Minister Musa Kulaklikaya highlighted the longstanding historical ties between Türkiye and Bangladesh and voiced confidence that cooperation would expand in multiple sectors. Khalilur Rahman thanked Türkiye for its continued assistance to Rohingya refugees and reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to working together for a sustainable resolution to the crisis. He also handed over an invitation letter for Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to visit Bangladesh after Ramadan.

Saudi Vice Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji expressed hope that Prime Minister Tareq Rahman would visit Saudi Arabia at a mutually convenient time. He also invited Khalilur Rahman to Riyadh. He noted that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative offers significant opportunities for collaboration with Bangladesh and reaffirmed Riyadh’s willingness to strengthen cooperation. The Bangladeshi foreign minister highlighted investment prospects for Saudi businesses in Bangladesh, and both sides agreed to work toward realizing these opportunities. Al-Khuraiji also sought Bangladesh’s support for reform initiatives aimed at improving the effectiveness of the OIC Secretariat.

In talks with Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian, Khalilur Rahman reiterated Bangladesh’s unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. He emphasized that the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, remains the only viable solution. The Palestinian minister appreciated Bangladesh’s firm and consistent support and assured that Arab and Islamic countries would back Bangladesh’s UNGA candidacy. Rahman stated that if elected, Bangladesh would uphold Palestine’s rightful demands at the UN.

During his meeting with Gambian Foreign Minister Serigne Modou, Khalilur Rahman thanked The Gambia for its continued and proactive support for the Rohingya people, particularly its role in filing a genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Bangladesh reaffirmed its readiness to cooperate fully on the Rohingya issue. Both sides agreed to organize a Rohingya-focused event during the upcoming OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Baghdad in April. The Gambian minister also pledged support for Bangladesh’s UNGA bid and committed to seeking broader backing from African nations.

The Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, Humayun Kabir, was present at the meetings.