EVERY September, world leaders travel to New York to address the start of the annual United Nations General Assembly session.
The six days of speeches to mark the beginning of the 79th session will start on Sept 24.
WHO SPEAKS WHEN?
When the United Nations was formed in 1945 following World War 2, there were originally 51 members. That has since grown to 193 members. Leaders of two non-member observer states — known at the UN as the Holy See and the State of Palestine — and an observer member, the European Union, can also speak.
This year, some 87 heads of state, three vice-presidents, two crown princes, 45 heads of government, eight deputy heads of government, 45 ministers and four lower-ranked heads of a delegation are due to address the General Assembly. Last year, fewer than 12 per cent of those to stand at the lectern were women.
HOW LONG WILL THEY SPEAK?
Leaders are asked to stick to a voluntary 15-minute time limit.
According to UN records, one of the longest speeches made during the opening of a General Assembly was by Cuban leader Fidel Castro in 1960 — he spoke for about 4½ hours.
WHAT WILL THEY TALK ABOUT?
Each high-level gathering to mark the start of the General Assembly session has a theme, which leaders tend to briefly reference before moving on to talking about whatever they want.
This year's theme is "Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations".
Some other topics likely to be spoken about by leaders include:
THE WAR IN GAZA
With the death toll in Gaza ballooning to more than 41,000 and the humanitarian situation deteriorating, many leaders are expected to call for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Palestine.
The conflict started nearly a year ago with the Hamas attack on civilians in Israel on Oct 7 — two weeks after world leaders had finished meeting at the last UN General Assembly.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are scheduled to address the General Assembly on Sept 26.
UKRAINE
Many world leaders are likely to call for an end to Russia's war in Ukraine.
The General Assembly adopted six resolutions on the conflict in the first year — denouncing Moscow and demanding it withdraw all its troops. A resolution in October 2022 — condemning Russia's "attempted illegal annexation" of four regions in Ukraine — won the greatest support with 143 states voting yes.
CLIMATE
As the world struggles to hold global warming to 1.5°C, leaders of smaller island nations and other states most affected by climate changes are likely to use their speeches at the General Assembly to again make impassioned pleas for action.
UN SECURITY COUNCIL REFORM
Many world leaders — particularly from Africa and key powers including Brazil, Germany, India and Japan — are likely to call for reform of the 15-member UN Security Council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security.
It is an issue that has long been discussed by the General Assembly, but has gathered steam in recent years when Russia invaded Ukraine and then used its Security Council veto to block any action by the body. The US has also long been criticised for shielding its ally Israel from council action.
Reform ideas include expanding the council's membership — through adding more permanent veto powers or short-term elected members — to better reflect the world and limiting the veto, currently held by the US, Russia, China, Britain and France.
SUMMIT OF THE FUTURE
Before the leaders begin addressing the General Assembly, a two-day Summit of the Future will be held on Sept 22 to 23. UN member states are negotiating three documents they hope to adopt on Sept 22 — a pact for the future, a declaration on future generations and a global digital compact.
The writer is from Reuters