General Debate of the 79th Session

Sitting arrangements in the General Assembly Hall changes for each session. During the 79th Session (2024-2025), Yemen occupies the first seat in the Hall, including in the Main Committees (followed by all the other countries, in English alphabetical order).

In 1952, Iceland, believed to be the oldest democracy in the world, presented the UN with a special gavel. This gavel has since been used to open and close meetings open or closed, mark the approval of the agenda, etc. and sometimes to restore order.

A voluntary 15-minute limit is asked to be observed, but some speeches are longer. The record for the general debate? Cuba, in 1980: 269 minutes. 1960 was the year with most very long statements: Guinea (144 minutes), USSR (140 minutes) and Indonesia (121 minutes). 

Here’s a glimpse of the priorities and concerns raised by Member States in their statements during the general debate of the 79th session so far (as analyzed by generative AI). The word cloud displays the top 30 words used, and will be updated daily during the debate.

This Summit aims to reaffirm commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the United Nations Charter while enhancing cooperation and laying the foundations for a reinvigorated multilateral system and will result in a negotiated Pact for the Future.

The past year has tested humanity in every way. Despite the obstacles, the commitment of the UN staff to a better future shines through in all that they do. Their resolve is to achieve results for the people of the world and to deliver the help and hope that every person deserves.