The coronavirus pandemic lasted two years. Then there came Russia’s conflict in Ukraine. Climate change, poverty, and inequality have steadily, increasingly thrummed through each gathering of world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly.
As the 78th session begins, there is no apparent crisis that will dominate the General Debate, as none of the aforementioned have been resolved. The high-level meeting will take place against the backdrop of continuous war, new political crises in West Africa and Latin America, a persistent coronavirus, economic insecurity, growing inequality, and new natural disasters such as deadly earthquakes, floods, and fires.
In the face of this tumult, the theme for this year’s General Debate will be “Rebuilding Trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards Peace, prosperity, progress, and Sustainability for all.”
The backgrounder for the 2023 high-level conference has been revised from the previous year. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s United Nations General Assembly, which will be presided over by Trinidad and Tobago’s Dennis Francis.
What is the purpose of the United Nations General Assembly?
While the effectiveness of the United Nations has long been questioned, the benefits of attending are apparent. Countries broadcast their agendas, grievances, and calls to action to the entire world and for the record from the dais.
The exercise in multilateralism was born in the aftermath of World War II, with the intention of achieving long-term peace. This week is a critical opportunity for countries that are frequently drowned out by what they see as a hegemonic world order to capture the attention of a bigger audience. It’s also an opportunity for leaders to hold meetings on the sidelines in neutral territory.
Who is visiting New York this year?
At least 145 heads of state and government are anticipated to take the dais at the river’s edge. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, US President Joe Biden, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are among those due on the opening day. This will be Zelenskyy’s first in-person appearance at the United Nations since Russia invaded his country in 2022 when the General Assembly granted him special permission to submit a prepared message.
However, there will be several notable absences from the procession of speakers: While they are all sending delegates, the leaders of the other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council — France, the United Kingdom, China, and Russia — will not be attending. Although the appearance of Vladimir Putin would have been unexpected, Emmanuel Macron is a regular attendee, and this would have been British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s first opportunity to address the General Assembly. Macron highlighted King Charles III’s impending visit; Sunak claimed a hectic schedule.
Top leaders from other key countries, including India, which hosted the G20 conference in New Delhi earlier this month, and Mexico, are also expected to send ministers in their place.
How does the general debate appear?
Although we are in the thick of presidential primary debate season in the United States, the organization of the General Debate at the United Nations has little resemblance. It doesn’t lend itself to visible fireworks — boos, interruptions, or fast rebuttals are not permitted — but that doesn’t mean there isn’t intrigue and drama.
Each speech provides a rich text on its own, and the delivery adds subtext. Speeches can be a fountain of emotive words, barbs, and thinly disguised messages. They’re supposed to run for 15 minutes, but many don’t. Last year, speeches averaged over 19 minutes, prompting a humorous remark from Slovakian President Zuzana aputová, who clocked in under 12 minutes and closed with: “And since obeying even the smallest of rules matters, let me finish here to respect the agreed time limit.” The longest speech in history ran to 269 minutes and was delivered by Cuba’s Fidel Castro in 1960.
Member states may also use their right of reply to respond to criticism raised during the General Debate. These are often heated confrontations after the day, but they are usually delivered by lower-level members of a country’s delegation rather than presidents of state or leaders of government. There were 21 exercises of the right of reply last year.
What is this year’s general debate?
It’s still six days, but this year’s General Debate concludes a day later, on Tuesday, September 26. Previously, General Debates were held from Tuesday to Monday, with only a Sunday break, however this year there is a two-day break. A United Nations spokeswoman announced that there will be no speeches on the normally final Monday in observance of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.
Why did Brazil make the first speech at the UN General Assembly?
It’s a matter of custom. When no other country volunteered to speak first, Brazil took the initiative. Decades later, the South American country remains in first place. The United States traditionally speaks second (but last year, President Joe Biden had to postpone his speech by a day due to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral).
Multiple factors influence the sequence of the scores of speeches that follow, including who a country sends to deliver the speech (heads of state precede heads of government, who precede mere ministers and other delegates), countries’ personal preferences, and geographic balance.
Is it allowed for non-UN members to attend?
Some. While all member countries are asked to speak, not all take advantage of the chance. However, the United Nations maintains permanent observers who have access to “most meetings and relevant documentation,” according to the UN website.
This year, the European Union, Palestine, and the Holy See (the Vatican) are all permanent observers. Last year, President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine delivered the longest address, clocking in at more than 47 minutes.