Visitors pose for photos at the podium at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday. Mary Altaffer/Associated Press
United Nations — After two years of virtual and hybrid summits, world leaders will meet this week in New York at the United Nations General Assembly, an exercise in multilateralism born out of hopes for lasting peace after World War II. gather again on the banks of the river.
The 77th Session begins at a time when the Earth is plagued with crisis on almost every front. Russia’s war in Ukraine, inflation and economic destabilization, terrorism and ideological extremism, environmental degradation and devastating floods, droughts and fires, an ongoing pandemic are just some of the rampant dangers.
The high-level conference will begin on Monday with a summit on education. The complete disruption of education during the coronavirus pandemic will have repercussions for decades to come. Speeches by the many leaders in attendance will begin Tuesday and continue through September 26th.
It is purported to somehow get back on track this year, but with certain concessions to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In addition to basic health protocols, several side events will be held at the United Nations Midtown Manhattan campus.
Here’s what you need to know about this year’s UN General Assembly chaired by Hungary’s Chava Kolesi.
Are you all coming to New York this year?
Yes, mostly. To speak at this year’s rally, a leader or a senior official must be present in person, with one notable exception. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has not left the country since the war broke out in late February. The General Assembly voted on Friday to allow the submission of pre-recorded speeches that are expected to be aired later in the session on Wednesday.
What’s the real point of attending a general meeting?
For as long as the United Nations has existed, its effectiveness has been questioned, but the benefits of attending are undeniable. From the rostrum, nations issue agendas, grievances and calls to action to the world, leaving a permanent record. This week is an important chance to grab the attention of a wider audience for countries that often drown in denouncing a hegemonic world order. It is also an opportunity for leaders, especially those in countries under stress, to participate in meetings on the sidelines in neutral countries. These meetings are often referred to as bilateral meetings or “bilats”.
How long are speeches allowed?
They should be 15 minutes. A delegate “kindly reminds me” of it on the UN website, but his speeches notoriously tend to be lengthy: the longest speech given to the General Assembly was his at 269 minutes. It was delivered by Fidel Castro in Cuba in 1960.
How is the order of speeches determined?
As a rule, first: Brazil. It’s a tradition. Early on, when no other country wanted to speak first, Brazil volunteered. So now the South American nation is enshrined as the first speaker, the host nation, the United States, usually speaks second, but as President Biden attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, the speech was Postponed to Wednesday.
The order is then determined by who the country sends (head of state before ministers and other representatives) and other criteria such as country priorities and geographical balance.
It’s called a debate, but the speech sequence doesn’t sound very lively. Where’s the drama?
The structure of the general debate doesn’t lend itself to overt fireworks of boos and interruptions and immediate counter-arguments, but that doesn’t mean it’s devoid of intrigue and drama.
First, the speech can be a font of provocative words and thorns – just look at Zelensky’s speech last year, which took place about five months before the war began, and he “retired” the United Nations itself. “Superhero” and sarcastically quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin. Sometimes the message is obscured: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was ousted last year, called India’s Hindu nationalist government “fascist,” but Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said neither name should be mentioned. It targeted both Pakistan and China.
Member States are also allowed to exercise their right of reply, which allows them to refute criticisms expressed during the general debate. These are often intense exchanges, but are not usually delivered by prominent members of the country’s delegation. ing.
Are only Member States allowed to speak at the General Assembly?
No. Palestine, the Vatican and the European Union are all permanent observers on the docket this year.
Are there any notable speakers to watch this year?
many. In addition to heavyweights like Biden and Zelensky, new British Prime Minister Liz Truss, French President Emmanuel Macron, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Kenyan William Ruto Many speeches are scheduled, including the new president.
Russia has sent Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, whose visa to enter the United States has been in question for some time, despite an agreement between the United Nations and the United States requiring visa approval. ’ said the U.S. government.
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