Over six days, 193 countries are allotted time to give their yearly address to the UN General Assembly. Every year, there are a couple of hot issues that mean a handful of countries' leaders enjoy extra attention to their speeches.
This year, US President Donald Trump and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas were among the most anticipated – with US challenges to the multilateral system and Mr Abbas's expected response to American plans on the Arab-Israeli conflict making headlines.
The Brazilian and American presidents are the only two leaders who have their places confirmed, as first and second speakers in the General Debate. The rest are assigned according to a complex system depending on factors including the seniority of officials representing their countries.
For the vast majority of world leaders, capturing the world’s attention is difficult enough, especially when side events have become common in New York City during UN week.
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This year, 316 side events meant that many world leaders and ministers were hardly in the UN General Assembly hall during speeches, with note takers filling their seats. Surprisingly, as more high-profile events crop up some leaders are skipping the UN altogether.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did come to New York and held bilateral meetings, but chose his Foreign Secretary Christina Freeland to address the General Assembly. He preferred to speak at the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit and Bill and Melinda Gates Goalkeepers summit.
So, how can countries make sure their message is heard by at least some of those attending? One way is to have the head of state present, ensuring they are among the first to speak in the roster of countries addressing the UN.
The art of the speech is crucial. The right time and tone is vital. Time-keeping seems to be one of the biggest challenges for world leaders in keeping within the 15-minute limit – especially for those who veer from prepared remarks.
Some leaders who speak quickly or have difficulty being articulate usually leave translators grappling with how to deliver their address.
Some have learnt to make a declaration or take a position not yet heard to get media attention. For example, France’s Emmanuel Macron made headlines when he said on Tuesday that trade deals should not be struck with countries who don’t adhere to the Paris Climate Accords – in an indirect but obvious attack on the US.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu started his speech this year with the statement: "What I am about to say today has not been shared publicly before" – in reference to his declaration that Iran has a secret nuclear programme. He has also been known to use props, including this year's picture of "secret atomic site" in Iran, complete with Google co-ordinates.
Palestinian President Abbas caught everyone's attention when he started his speech with the line: "Jerusalem is not for sale."
Personalising remarks can make them feel closer but should not be excessive.
The President of Ecuador, Lenin Moreno, spoke of the pain caused by his disability to drive the point home on the need to protect people with special needs. But details of “painkillers, IV drips and extreme pain” left some listeners baffled.
Another tip to ensure a speech is heard is to decide who will give it and when. Until Thursday, three days into the start of the general debate, Iraq had not been set a time to speak as its representation was still unclear with the delay in forming a government.
But most importantly, the art of the speech depends on the message being delivered.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Results:
Men's 100m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 15 sec; 2. Rheed McCracken (AUS) 15.40; 3. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 15.75. Men's 400m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 50.56; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 50.94; 3. Henry Manni (FIN) 52.24.
Profile Box
Company/date started: 2015
Founder/CEO: Mohammed Toraif
Based: Manama, Bahrain
Sector: Sales, Technology, Conservation
Size: (employees/revenue) 4/ 5,000 downloads
Stage: 1 ($100,000)
Investors: Two first-round investors including, 500 Startups, Fawaz Al Gosaibi Holding (Saudi Arabia)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Company%20profile
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Dubai World Cup Carnival card:
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 | 2,410 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 | 1,400m
7.40pm: Handicap (T) | $145,000 | 1,000m
8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m
8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m
9.25pm: Handicap (T) | $175,000 | 1,400m
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
if you go
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
2252 - Dh50
6025 - Dh20
6027 - Dh100
6026 - Dh200
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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THREE
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Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
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Dubai World Cup factbox
Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)
Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)
Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)
Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)
