Who gives a United Nations Speech? What is the United Nations? What happens at the U.N.G.A?
The 78th United Nations General Assembly will take place from September to December of this year. You may be asking yourself, what is the UN, and why does the UN meet?
What is the United Nations?
The UN was founded in 1945 with the objective of making the world a safer, fairer, and better place for everyone. That sounds idyllic.
According to the UN:
“The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. Currently made up of 193 Member States, the UN and its work are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter.
The UN has evolved over the years to keep pace with a rapidly changing world. But one thing has stayed the same: it remains the one place on Earth where all the world’s nations can gather together, discuss common problems, and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity.”
What happens at the United Nations General Assembly?
Several administrative things happen at the United Nations General Assembly meeting. Each country gets a vote on appointing the new Secretary General of the United Nations on the (subtle?) recommendation of the Permanent Security Council, which consists of the USA, UK, China, Russia and France.
The UN states that the security council “The Security Council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression. It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement.”
Historically, there has been a geographical rotation for the position of Secretary General, so it seems likely the next UN leader will be from Latin America and the Caribbean region.
Additionally, the member states select the ten new non-permanent members of the security council, again with the advice of the permanent members.
United Nations Speeches
The speeches given at the United Nations General Assembly are the showpieces of the event, but there is much more happening behind the scenes.
Who will be Giving a Speech at the United Nations?
193 Heads of Government, their representatives, or Heads of State will address the General Assembly, plus the leaders of two 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.
What Will They Talk About? What Goes In a United Nations Speech?
A United Nations speech is a “State of the Union” flag-flying speech with several common components.
A United Nations speech typically aims to balance national interests with global concerns, while also positioning the country as a responsible and engaged member of the international community. The tone and content varies based on the speaker’s style, the country’s global position and current circumstances, and current global events.
The opening remarks and acknowledgements are incredibly dull and formulaic and contradict every piece of advice in this article on starting a speech. Speakers greet the incoming and thank the outgoing President of the General Assembly, as well as recognise the Secretary-General and other dignitaries.
Appealing to the domestic audience is as important as appealing to international investors, governments, etc. But first, we had to get their attention. This was challenging, considering the accepted standard introduction. But we came up with a plan…
Then often comes a reaffirmation of the member state’s commitment to the UN, emphasising the country’s dedication to UN principles and values and highlighting the importance of multilateralism and international cooperation.
Pressing global challenges and regional priorities, such as climate change, poverty, terrorism, the Sustainable Development Goals, conflicts, crises, and other developments, and global and regional efforts to achieve them, are addressed.
Then come national perspective and achievements, outlining the country’s challenges, progress and contributions to global issues and the sharing of domestic policies and initiatives relevant to international concerns.
Then come Calls to Action, which include proposing solutions to global challenges, advocating for reform or changes in the international system or UN structure, or asking for help. Expect President Zelenskyy to go big on this.
Speeches cover bilateral or multilateral relationships, including key partnerships or alliances.
Speakers then focus on articulating their future vision, outlining hopes and goals for the international community and setting out a vision for global cooperation and progress.
Closing remarks will reiterate their commitment to the UN and its goals and summarise their call for collective action and unity.
Which Speech Will Be Worth Watching at the 2024 United Nations General Assembly?
The general debate starts on September 24 and concludes on September 30. The theme for the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly is Summit of the Future. A list of events focusing on youth and multilateralism is available.
Everyone likes to hear of peace and good news. But behind the Kumbaya’s “future and youth” focus, delegates will hear grim news, some passionate speeches, and some dreadfully dull ones.
So what is there to look out for? Firstly, after a bumper year full of elections, there will be many new faces, plus speeches addressing the conflicts in the Middle East and the Russian war on Ukraine.
Representatives to watch in 2024 include Middle Eastern countries, Ukraine, and Russia, as well as countries close to the conflict, such as the Baltic states, Poland, and Georgia.
The Turkish leader will also be worth listening to.
It will also be interesting to hear what the E.U., France and Germany have to say, along with the speeches given by leaders of the aspiring EU countries.
China, the United Kingdom, and the United States usually speak to a full Assembly – more on that in a minute. The President of South Africa will surely speak about the new South African G.N.U. – Government of National Unity.
My client was the Sri Lankan Prime Minister. We outlined advances in tourism, inward investment, and the proactive approach to peace talks.
How Long is a United Nations Speech?
There is a recorded time limit for Speeches at the United Nations – they SHOULD be no longer than 15 minutes. However, this is entirely voluntary, as evidenced by Fidel Castro’s 1960 address of 269 minutes. 4.48 HOURS!!!!
Who attends and who listens to a United Nations Speech?
The UNGA will be attended by heads of government, ambassadors, senior diplomats and delegates, UN officials, observers, diplomats and politicians from the 193 member states.
Representatives from non-member states such as the EU, agencies like the IMF, NGOs, media, and the press will also attend. Other guests include celebrities, advocates, and significant investors.
The other significant audience is the population in the sovereign countries back home watching TV.
Which In-Person Attendees Listen to Which United Nations Speeches?
I was fascinated to discover the identity of many people listening to the speeches.
The United Nations Assembly Hall can accommodate around 2000 people, but who are they?
Almost all Heads of State are in the Assembly Hall when the “big beast” countries speak. The year I was at the United Nations, George W. Bush was President of the United States. Everyone wanted to listen; the Assembly Hall was packed.
Heads of State are also in the room when countries from their region speak. Otherwise, they are out of the Assembly Hall in bilateral meetings, speaking with the media, or preparing their speeches.
So, Who is Really in the Room at the U.N.?
The simultaneous translators are up above behind large glass windows. They are there all the time. The United Nations police are always there – two flank the stage. The United Nations did not want the Assembly Hall to appear empty, so they sneakily only gave copies of each speech to occupied country tables. Maybe they get electronic copies these days?
But countries do not want their country tables unattended while the United Nations is live-streamed on screens around the world, so many country tables are staffed by junior Embassy staff.
So some of the people who sat at the country tables, bored by the nearly 200 speeches, were relatively junior staff. Some were drivers, messengers, and other non-diplomatic staff. They weren’t there to listen; they were there to collect the speeches and fill the tables.
The United Nations Headquarters and Building
Who owns the United Nations Headquarters
The United Nations headquarters is in New York but is not considered to be on American soil.
12. Interesting Facts about the United Nations and the United Nations Building
- The UN headquarters has 185 flags outside the building arranged in alphabetical order in English. They start with Afghanistan and end with Zimbabwe.
- Because the building is not on American soil, it has its own security force. It does not rely on the NYPD.
- The UN conducts business in six languages: Arabic, Mandarin, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
- There is a small cafe called Cafe Austria – a gift from the nation of Austria to the United Nations.
- The UN building has many different art pieces and historical artefacts that symbolise peace and human evolution. One such item is a Sputnik satellite hanging in the building.
- There are 39 floors in the building, and it is 510 feet/155 meters tall.
- The United Nations, with offices in 193 countries and 37,000 employees, is the world’s largest universal multilateral international organisation.
- The Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit (MALU) provides the media with workspaces and recording studios. I watched the replay of the speech in the cramped and crowded CNN studio – smaller than most people’s lounge.
- Brazil will be the first to speak and has done so 1947. In the early days of the United Nations, no one wanted to speak first, so Brazil volunteered and has done so ever since.
- Every country sends a representative, and the E.U. sends an Ambassador. Two observer states, the Holy See and Palestine, are invited. After Brazil, the host country’s representative (the U.S.A.) speaks, followed by other Heads of State.
- If your Head of State doesn’t attend, another representative will address the United Nations. British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw was the U.K. representative in 2002 when I was working with the Sri Lankan Prime Minister on his speech. The order of speakers is based on level of representation, preference, and geographic balance.
- Representatives of areas in the middle of a civil war or with other problems over government succession, where the conflict is still in an active phase, and the situation is changing rapidly, are not permitted to give a speech at the United Nations.
What Really Happens at the United Nations?
Most of the real business conducted at the UN is done away from the Assembly Hall, out of sight of the cameras. Agreements are made; relationships are started, fixed, and built behind closed doors in rooms and bars near the Assembly Hall or in Embassies and nearby hotels.
Not all Ambassadors are Equal
Any country’s second most senior Ambassador is usually the Ambassador to the United Nations. While some regional differences exist, the most senior and prestigious Ambassadorial postings are generally ranked in the following order:
- United States
- United Nations
- China
- European Union
- Russia
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- India
- Japan
Writing a Speech Delivered at the United Nations
The 56th U.N.G.A. took place 17 days after 9/11 – the atmosphere then must have been intense. Although the 57th United Nations General Assembly took place 374 days after 911, security was still high, with the main arterial road, the United Nations Plaza, partially closed down. Locals rewrote the word used to describe lousy traffic and gridlock, such as BushLock, when President George W. Bush was in town.
When I was a boy growing up in a small African town, I loved reading and the power of words. But I never dreamed I would ever be inside the United Nations, never mind writing a speech for a Prime Minister that would be delivered at the United Nations.
As you can see from the picture below, I was a little awe-struck and wasn’t hiding it very well.
Where Did We Work Together on the Prime Minister’s United Nations Speech?
The Prime Minister and I worked alone together on his speech late at night high up in this building, in a prominent corner suite guarded by the United States Secret Service, facing the road.
During long twelve-hour days, I sat at the back of the room during most of his meetings, listening to his voice, delivery, and vocabulary. I also spent some time with his Ministers and advisers.
Many people helped me. Chief amongst them was Bradman Weerakoon – an amazing Civil Servant.
We had never met before and we had ten days to try and change the history of his country. In ten days, I had two three-hour slots to myself. I didn’t care; I was doing something big. Although it nearly went VERY badly wrong during one of those three-hour slots.
This was a speech for a Prime Minister to be delivered by a Prime Minister, but to be delivered in his own words, words that were at home in his mouth. It was to be an authentic speech for an authentic politician.
UN General Assembly Hotel, then known as Millennium UN Plaza, and now known as the Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza
You See Interesting People When Writing a Speech for the United Nations
One afternoon, I was walking through the lobby when a tall man entered the hotel accompanied by a noisy, larger-than-normal delegation. The crowd swelled around him as the media and others rushed towards him. It was boisterous, the thing that must set the Secret Service on edge.The man was Silvio Berlusconi.
I was introduced to Gerhard Schröder, then German Chancellor, and I spent time at a reception with Henry Chimunthu Banda, then Malawian Deputy Foreign Minister and later Speaker of the House, and I chatted with some Bangladeshi politicians.
Why I am so Proud of Being Able to Work on this United Nations Speech.
As a speechwriter, storyteller and speaker coach, you have to be careful of whose swords you are sharpening.
Some people come to me because they want to say sweet words, but they haven’t done the hard deeds that warrant the sweet words. This is true of politicians and business leaders.
I was working for a man who could deliver positive words that were not exaggerated. They reflected the hard and brave work he and his government had been doing.
I had the great fortune of putting together a real peace speech (many speeches claim that title), delivered at the United Nations when I was young and fairly inexperienced, with the input of the Prime Minister, Ministers and Special Advisors who had been busy doing the work that earned those words, long before I came on the scene.
Which speech writer wouldn’t want to write a speech for a Prime Minister to be delivered at the United Nations? But how much better is it when you work for a good man who has done good things for his country?
The Impact of the Speech.
In the United Nations General Assembly, this was a big speech, a very welcome and positive speech containing a lot of good news. It was a peace speech and heralded a turning point in the conflict within Sri Lanka. Instead of “talking about talks” the government was “doing the talks”.
But the speech’s true success was palpable in the sentiment towards the country and positive conversations about inward investment, not least because of the booming tourism industry and high hotel occupancy rates.
This was reflected on the streets and in the restaurants, cafes, and businesses in Sri Lanka. When Ranil returned to Sri Lanka, he was greeted by a jubilant crowd of over 100,000 people who lined the route from Colombo to the airport. Because of the excited crowds, this 30 km journey took the Prime Minister and his delegation over eight hours to complete.
Tragically, not everyone was as excited about the concept of peace. Shortly after his return, the President relieved Ranil of his post, along with his key Ministers. A bloody war ensued.
Do You Want To Be Greeted By Jubilant Crowds?
Imagine what you could achieve if people listened to and followed you. But first, you have to get them off their phones and pay attention to you. Want to find out more?
Or schedule a call now, and let’s discuss what you want to achieve.
