Why Brazil Opens the United Nations General Assembly Debate

Brazil usually speaks first when countries meet for the United Nations General Assembly’s main debate.

This is a tradition, not a formal rule.

In the early years, many countries did not want to be the first to speak.

Brazil volunteered several times, so it gradually became the usual first speaker.

The practice was firmly established in 1955.

The United States usually speaks next because the United Nations headquarters is in New York.

Other countries are placed using several factors, including geography and when they requested to speak.

Brazil’s first position gives it an important platform to discuss global issues.