Al Jazeera – All News reported that Brazil is slated to be the first member state to address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the opening of the upcoming session. The report outlines the procedural basis for the speaking order and the diplomatic significance of Brazil’s position.
According to UN protocol, the General Assembly’s opening sequence traditionally begins with the President of the General Assembly, followed by the Secretary‑General and the host country’s representative. After these formalities, the first member state is invited to speak, a slot that is allocated to the nation holding the presidency of the General Assembly for that session. Brazil, having been elected to the presidency for the current term, therefore receives the inaugural speaking opportunity among member states.
The article notes that Brazil secured the GA presidency through a regional rotation system that alternates among the five UN regional groups. The election, confirmed by the UN General Assembly in June, placed Brazil’s ambassador in the role of presiding officer for the 78th session. This appointment automatically grants Brazil the privilege of delivering the first member‑state address, a practice designed to reflect the elected president’s leadership and to ensure equitable representation across regions.
Al Jazeera highlights that Brazil’s opening remarks are expected to underscore themes central to its foreign policy, including South‑South cooperation, climate action, and sustainable development. The outlet points out that Brazil’s position as the first speaking nation provides a platform to project the perspectives of the Global South at a time when multilateral discussions are intensifying around economic recovery and geopolitical tensions.
The report concludes that observers will watch Brazil’s speech for indications of how the country intends to shape the agenda of the UNGA, particularly in relation to issues affecting developing economies. Brazil’s address will set the tone for the ensuing debates and may influence the priorities of subsequent speakers.
The Al Jazeera piece underscores that the speaking order is a procedural matter rooted in UN rules, yet it also carries symbolic weight, offering Brazil a prominent stage to articulate its diplomatic priorities at the start of the global forum.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Al Jazeera — All News — original source: https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/9/17/why-does-brazil-get-to-speak-first-at-unga?traffic_source=rss.