Representatives from all over the world are all set to address the chamber of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York during the week-long Annual General Debate. According to the list of speakers released by the UNGA, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to speak on September 25.

It is reportedly said that the discussions are likely to centre around the impact of the Covid pandemic, climate change and security.

However, since 1995, Brazil has been the first to address the delegation, followed by the United States. After the first two speeches, the order of speakers is not fixed and is based on factors such as the level of representation, and the importance of the speaker representing the country.

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Why does Brazil get to speak first?

For the past six decades, Brazil has been the first speaker at the UNGA annual general debate. While some assume that the order is determined alphabetically, this is not the case.

This tradition dates back to the early years of the United Nations, following its formation soon after the end of World War II.

During those days, several countries were reluctant to be the first to address the chamber. Brazil, at the time, was the only country that volunteered to speak first.

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Some say that the tradition dates back to 1947, when Brazil’s top diplomat Oswaldo Aranha presided over the Assembly’s First Special Session. He was also elected president of the second session of the General Assembly.

Since 1955, Brazil has always spoken first, followed by the United States, with only a few exceptions.

This year, Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro kept the tradition going by delivering the opening speech at the international forum on Tuesday.

But why does the United States go second?

In the list of speakers, the United States always goes second after Brazil as it is the host nation.

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On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden addressed the chamber, detailing his vision for a new era of diplomacy in his first-ever UNGA speech since assuming office.

How is the order of other speakers determined?

After the US and Brazil, the order of speakers depends on a number of factors. It is generally determined by the rank of the representative — heads of state, heads of government, crown princes, and foreign ministers would be amongst the initial speakers, followed by deputies and ambassadors.

Other criteria like geographic balance also play a role in determining the order.