UN General Assembly: Why Brazil Always Speaks First

Brazil will open the general debate at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, a tradition upheld for seven decades despite no written rule mandating it. The United States follows as second speaker. The practice began in 1955 when no country wanted the protocol responsibility of speaking first, and Brazil volunteered, turning it into custom. Other theories suggest it was recognition of diplomat Oswaldo Aranha or compensation for Brazil's exclusion from the Security Council. Brazil was seen as neutral during the Cold War, making it a suitable opener. The tradition was broken only in 1983 and 1984, when US President Ronald Reagan spoke first.