Every September, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) opens with speeches from world leaders. And without exception, Brazil is always the first member state to speak. This tradition has become one of the most recognizable features of the UNGA’s opening session.
But why Brazil?
According to UN officials, the practice dates back to the early years of the United Nations. At that time, many countries were hesitant to volunteer to deliver the first address at the high-level debate. Brazil stepped up and took the lead, filling the role year after year. Over time, this act of consistency turned into an established tradition.
Today, Brazil’s opening speech is seen as both a symbol of its diplomatic initiative in the early UN years and a ceremonial anchor for the assembly. After Brazil, the second speaker is traditionally the United States, as the host country of the UN headquarters in New York.
The First Five Speakers in 2025
The tradition continues at the 2025 UNGA, where Brazil once again opens the session. The order of the first five speakers reflects both historical custom and diplomatic prominence:
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Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva – Brazil
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Donald Trump – United States
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Prabowo Subianto – Indonesia
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Recep Tayyip Erdoğan – Türkiye
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Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra – Peru
