On Tuesday, nearly 130 heads of state and government are expected to begin taking the podium at the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York as the high-level general debate opens. The debate is the key event of the UNGA’s annual session, which began on September 8, when Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh took office as president. In this visual explainer, Al Jazeera looks at what happens at the UNGA, who will speak, and the key moments to watch.
The debate opens on Tuesday, September 22, runs through Saturday, September 26, and resumes on Monday, September 28, as no sessions are held on Sunday. It runs in two daily sessions: from 9am to 2:45pm local time ( to ) and from 3pm to 9pm ( to the next day). Statements are expected to observe a voluntary 15-minute limit, though many run longer, and meetings continue until all scheduled speakers have spoken.
The session opens with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who introduces his annual report and is expected to give his final address, followed by UNGA President Khalilur Rahman, who formally opens the debate. By tradition, Brazil is always the first country to speak, a practice that began in 1955 when it volunteered to open the debate, when no other country would. The United States, as the host country, usually speaks second, and President Donald Trump is expected to take the podium after Brazil on Tuesday morning, likely around 9:45am local time ( ).
For all other member states, the speaking order is determined by the level of representation (head of state, head of government, or minister), expressed preferences, and geographic balance. The Holy See (Vatican City), the State of Palestine, and the European Union are also invited to participate, with their speaking slots set according to their representation. Speakers for day one are shown in the graphic below.
The speaking schedule for the remaining days will be published in the coming days. The UNGA is held at the UN headquarters, which is located along the East River in Manhattan, New York. The complex, built between 1949 and 1952, is owned by the UN and is considered international territory.
It serves as the main hub for international diplomacy. The UNGA has not always been held in New York. The first six UNGA sessions took place in different cities, beginning in London and later including Paris.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
