Why Brazil Always Speaks First at the UN General Assembly

Brazil will open the general debate at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, a tradition maintained for seven decades despite no written rule mandating it. The United States follows as second speaker, being the host country. The practice began in 1955 when no nation wanted the protocol responsibility of speaking first, and Brazil volunteered, making it customary. Alternative theories suggest it was recognition of diplomat Oswaldo Aranha or compensation for Brazil's exclusion from the Security Council's permanent membership. Brazil was also seen as a neutral Cold War choice. The tradition has only been broken in 1983 and 1984, when US President Ronald Reagan spoke first.