The UN General Debate looks ceremonial, but its speaking order is carefully assembled. Tradition gives Brazil the first national statement and the United States, as host country, the second. After that, the sequence is not a simple alphabetic list.
What shapes the list
The Secretariat considers the level of representation—head of state, head of government, minister or another representative—along with each delegation's requested day, geography and previous practice. Practical scheduling matters because more than 190 delegations may speak.
The President of the General Assembly opens the meeting, followed by the UN Secretary-General, before country statements begin. Observer delegations and organizations have their own place in the programme.
Are speeches limited?
Delegations are encouraged to keep statements concise; a voluntary 15-minute guideline has often been used. In practice, major speeches can run longer. Rights of reply are usually handled separately after scheduled statements.
The 81st session's theme is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all.” Exact daily lists can change, so audiences should use the UN's published programme.
The UN's rules of procedure explain how speakers obtain the floor. Read our UNGA 81 guide and more politics coverage.
