Explainer: What to know about the UN General Assembly

Flags fly outside the United Nations headquarters, New York, USA. [AP photo]

How long are speeches allowed to be?

They're supposed to be 15 minutes. Delegates are "kindly reminded" of that on the U.N.'s website, but speeches notoriously tend to run longer. The longest speech made to the General Assembly clocked in at 269 minutes - nearly 18 times that recommendation. It was delivered by Cuba's Fidel Castro in 1960.

How is the order of speeches determined?

Up first, as a rule: Brazil. It's tradition. Early on, Brazil volunteered when no other country wanted to speak first. So now the South American country is enshrined as the first speaker. The United States, as the host country, typically speaks second, but President Joe Biden's attendance of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral will push his speech to Wednesday this year.

After that, the order is determined by whom a country is sending - heads of state before heads of government before ministers and other representatives - and other criteria, like country preference and geographic balance.

It's called a debate, but a succession of speeches doesn't sound very lively. Where's the drama?

The structure of the General Debate doesn't lend itself to obvious fireworks - no booing or interruptions or immediate rebuttals - but that doesn't mean intrigue and drama are absent.

First, the speeches can be a font of evocative language and barbs - take Zelenskyy's speech last year, delivered roughly five months before the war began, in which he castigated the U.N. itself as a "retired superhero" and wryly quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin. Sometimes the message is veiled: While since-ousted Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan called India's Hindu nationalist government "fascist" last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted both Pakistan and China without mentioning either by name.

Member states are also allowed to exercise the right of reply, in which they can rebut criticism voiced during the General Debate. These are often fiery exchanges but aren't typically delivered by prominent members of a country's delegation. India and Pakistan's longstanding enmity practically guarantees they'll be using the right of reply.

UN General Assembly, September 16, 2022. [AP photo]

Are member states the only ones allowed to address the General Assembly?

No. The State of Palestine, Holy See (the Vatican) and the European Union are all permanent observers on the docket this year.

Are there any notable speakers to keep an eye out for this year?

Plenty. In addition to heavy hitters like Biden and Zelenskyy, expect addresses from new British Prime Minister Liz Truss, French President Emmanuel Macron, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and new Kenyan President William Ruto, among many others.

Russia is sending its foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, whose U.S. entry visa was in doubt for some time despite an agreement between the U.N. and the United States that requires the approval of visas "irrespective of the relations existing between the governments of the persons referred to" and the U.S. government.