World's Longest Speech at UN Assembly

The longest speeches ever delivered at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly are famous for their length, impact, and the political context in which they were given. Here's a breakdown of the top five longest speeches in UN history:

1. Fidel Castro (Cuba, 1960) - 269 Minutes
   Fidel Castro holds the record for the longest speech in UN history, delivering a marathon address lasting 269 minutes (over 4 hours). This speech occurred during a tense period of the Cold War, as Castro's socialist revolution in Cuba was gaining momentum. His address was marked by his fiery rhetoric against imperialism and Western powers.

2. Sekou Toure (Guinea, 1960) - 144 Minutes
   Sekou Toure, the first President of Guinea, delivered a 144-minute speech in 1960, the same year as Castro’s. Toure's speech focused on the post-colonial struggles in Africa and called for greater solidarity among newly independent African nations. His remarks highlighted the challenges of overcoming colonial legacies and the need for unity among African states.

3. Nikita Khrushchev (Soviet Union, 1960) - 140 Minutes
   Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev's 140-minute speech in 1960 was delivered during a time of intense Cold War tensions. Khrushchev used the platform to challenge Western influence and promote Soviet ideologies. His speech was part of the broader Soviet effort to assert its presence on the global stage and critique Western powers, particularly the United States.

4. Sukarno (Indonesia, 1960) - 121 Minutes
   Indonesia’s first President, Sukarno, gave a 121-minute speech at the UN in 1960. His address focused on advocating for anti-colonialism and promoting the Non-Aligned Movement, which sought to avoid aligning with either of the Cold War superpowers, the United States or the Soviet Union. His speech reflected Indonesia’s vision for a world order based on independence and neutrality.

5. Muammar Gaddafi (Libya, 2009) - 96 Minutes
   Breaking the pattern of 1960 speeches, Muammar Gaddafi’s 96-minute speech in 2009 became one of the most memorable in recent history. As Libya’s leader, Gaddafi used his address to sharply criticize Western powers and the structure of the United Nations. His speech was filled with fiery rhetoric, and he even called for reforms to the UN Security Council and the world order.

These speeches, particularly those from the 1960s, are significant for their length and the political messages they conveyed, shaping the UN General Assembly as a platform for bold and often controversial statements on global issues.