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What is the UNGA and what will world leaders talk about?

Every September world leaders travel to New York to resolve the start of the annual United Nations General Assembly session.

The six days of speeches to mark the start of the 79th session will start on Sept. 24.

WHO SPEAKS WHEN?

When the United Nations was formed in 1945 following World War Two, there were originally 51 members. That has actually given that grown to 193 members. Leaders of 2 non-member observer states - known at the U.N. as the Holy See and the State of Palestine - and an observer member, the European Union, can also speak.

It is custom for Brazil to always be the very first member state to speak. This is since in the early years of the world body Brazil stepped up to speak initially when other nations were hesitant to do so, state U.N. officials.

As host to the U.N. headquarters in New York, the United States is the 2nd country to address the General Assembly.

From there the list is then based on hierarchy and generally a first come, initially served basis. Presidents speak first, followed by deputy presidents and crown princes, heads of federal government, ministers, and lower-ranked heads of a delegation.

This year some 87 heads of state, three vice-presidents, 2 crown princes, 45 heads of federal government, 8 deputy heads of federal government, 45 ministers, and 4 lower-ranked heads of a. delegation are currently due to address the General Assembly.

In 2015 less than 12% of those to stand at the lectern. were females.

HOW LONG WILL THEY SPEAK?

Leaders are asked to adhere to a voluntary 15-minute time. limitation.

According to U.N. records, among the longest speeches made. during the opening of a General Assembly was by Cuban leader. Fidel Castro in 1960 - he promoted about four and a half hours. More just recently, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi promoted more than. one and a half hours in 2009.

WHAT WILL THEY TALK ABOUT?

Each top-level gathering to mark the start of the yearly. General Assembly session has a style, which leaders tend to. quickly recommendation before moving on to speaking about whatever. they want.

This year's theme is: Leaving nobody behind: acting. together for the advancement of peace, sustainable advancement. and human self-respect for present and future generations.

Some other topics most likely to be discussed by leaders. consist of:

THE WAR IN GAZA

With the civilian death toll in Gaza swelling to more than. 41,000 individuals according to regional health officials and the. humanitarian circumstance deteriorating, numerous leaders are expected. to call for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and. Palestinian militants Hamas.

The conflict started almost a year ago with the lethal Hamas. attack on civilians in Israel on Oct. 7 - two weeks after world. leaders had actually completed conference at the last U.N. General Assembly.

After Israel began striking back versus Hamas in the Gaza. Strip, the General Assembly on Oct. 27 required an instant. humanitarian truce. It then frustrating demanded an immediate. humanitarian ceasefire in December.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - who has long. accused the U.N. of being anti-Israel - and Palestinian. President Mahmoud Abbas are both set up to resolve the. General Assembly on Sept. 26.

UKRAINE

Lots of world leaders are most likely to call for an end to Russia's. approximately two-and-a-half year war in Ukraine.

The General Assembly adopted 6 resolutions on the conflict. in the first year - knocking Moscow and requiring it withdraw. all its soldiers. A resolution in October 2022 - condemning. Russia's attempted prohibited annexation of four regions in. Ukraine - won the greatest support with 143 states voting yes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is due to resolve. the General Assembly on Sept. 25.

While Russian President Vladimir Putin virtually dealt with. the General Assembly in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, he. has not physically travelled to New York for the event because. 2015. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is instead due to. speak to the General Assembly on Sept. 28.

ENVIRONMENT

As the world has a hard time to hold global warming to 1.5 degrees. Celsius, leaders of smaller island countries and other states most. impacted by climate modifications are most likely to utilize their speeches at. the General Assembly to once again make impassioned pleas for action.

U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL REFORM

Numerous world leaders - especially from Africa and key powers. consisting of Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan - are likely to call. for reform of the 15-member U.N. Security Council, which is. charged with keeping worldwide peace and security.

It is a concern that has long been discussed by the General. Assembly, however has collected steam over the last few years after Russia. attacked Ukraine and then utilized its Security Council veto to block. any action by the body. The United States has also long been. criticized for shielding its ally Israel from council action.

Reform concepts consist of broadening the council's membership -. through adding more irreversible veto powers or short-term elected. members - to much better show the world and limiting the veto,. currently held by the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France.

Any changes to the Security Council membership is done by. changing the founding U.N. Charter. This needs the approval and. ratification by two-thirds of the General Assembly, including. the Security Council's current 5 veto powers.

TOP OF THE FUTURE

Before the leaders begin attending to the General Assembly, a. two-day Summit of the Future will be hung on Sept. 22-23. U.N. member states are currently working out 3 documents they. wish to adopt on Sept. 22 - a pact for the future, a declaration. on future generations and a worldwide digital compact.

Speaking to Reuters on Wednesday, U.N. Secretary-General. Antonio Guterres stated it was definitely important to. ambitiously use the top to come up with appropriate governance. for the world these days.

He argued for reform of the 15-member U.N. Security Council,. the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and for. worldwide governance of artificial intelligence and other emerging. obstacles.

(source: Reuters)