Dr. M.M.M. Rushanudeen, Secretary-General of the United Nations Association of Sri Lanka, will represent the country in a bid for the Vice President position at the World Federation of United Nations Associations assembly in Geneva next August, marking the first such candidacy in the organization's 76-year history.
Dr. M.M.M. Rushanudeen will lead Sri Lanka's delegation to the 44th Plenary Assembly of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) in Geneva from August 23-30, 2026, where he will contest for the Vice President position. This marks the first time in the United Nations Association of Sri Lanka's history that a national candidate has pursued this international office.
The Vice President race is competitive, with seven countries vying for the position: Sri Lanka, Somalia, Iceland, Colombia, the United States, Tanzania, and Pakistan. According to the Daily FT, Sri Lanka will need to secure a two-thirds majority vote from member countries to secure the position on election day. The candidacy has the backing of the People's Republic of China as seconder, with UNA-Sri Lanka serving as the proposing organization.
Dr. Rushanudeen brings significant experience to the role, having been involved with UNA-Sri Lanka since 1985 as a volunteer and obtaining life membership status in 1990. He has held multiple positions within the organization and has been recognized with honors including Honorary Member status and Most Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. The delegation accompanying him includes National Executive Committee Chairman Dharmadasa Vitharanage, Vice Chairman M. D. Lalith Peris, and committee member M. J. M. Irshad.
The assembly will draw participation from over 100 countries. WFUNA, established in 1946 following the founding of the United Nations, operates as a people's movement aimed at strengthening global understanding of the UN and its values across civil society, youth, and community organizations worldwide.
