From banging shoes to drawing red line, here are some key moments in UNGA's history

On Tuesday, the city of New York hosted leaders and diplomats from around the world for the 78th edition of the United Nation General Assembly’s General Debate. One of the highlights of the meet that takes place annually during fall is the high-level delegation address, in which heads of the states get a certain time to put forward their cases. On the first day of the general debate, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war stole the show with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Joe Biden urging the world to support the conflict-stricken country. However, the assembly that has been conducting the debate for decades have witnessed several monumental moments. 

During his address, the Ukrainian President unleashed a lethal attack against Russia and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy insisted that Russia is turning Ukraine, its people and its food into weapons against the International order, referring to the whole situation as “genocide”. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden warned the international body against allowing Russia to “brutalize Ukraine". "Russia believes the world will grow weary, and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence," he said. However, conflict among two nations taking the floor of the assembly is not a novel concept. Here’s a look at some of the historic moments of the UNGA General Debates throughout the years. 

Khrushchev’s shoe-banging address

In 1960, USSR’s then-Premier Nikita Khrushchev waved and banged his shoe on his desk after taking offence to a statement made by Lorenzo Sumulong, a member of the Philippines' delegation. Amid the Cold War era, the Filipino diplomat lambasted the Soviet administration and insisted that  Europeans had been "deprived of political and civil rights", as per a New York Times dispatch. Taking exception to his remarks, the Soviet premier pulled off his right shoe, stood up and banged it on the table turning the whole situation intense. 

Fidel Castro unleashed a four-hour-long attack against the US 

In the same year, Cuban leader Fidel Castro targetted US in a four-and-a-half-hour sppech, making it the longest speech at the UNGA. Castro addressed the International body one year after the Cuban Revolution which brought him to power. The Cuban leader called out the American “imperialism and aggression” and following his 226-minute long speech, the United States submitted a detailed "fact sheet" to the UN Secretary-General, discrediting his assertions. 

Cuban leader Fidel Castro denounces the United States in the longest timed speech ever in the UN General Assembly, (Image: AP)

Enraged Gaddafi rips the UN Charter

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi made a memorable impression in his debut speech at the UNGA in 2009. At one point during his 96-minute-long address Gadhafi went on to rip a part of a page of the UN charter in a symbolic show of defiance. His long speech covered everything which was going on in the world. He lambasted the UNSC, gave his take on the assassination of Former US President John F. Kennedy and even proposed the formation of "Isratine,” a  one-state solution for Israel-Palensetine tensions. 

Muammar Gaddafi gives an address at the 2009 UNGA General Debate, (Image: X/@ShadowofEzra)

Chavez calls Bush ‘The Devil’ 

In 2016, amid the brewing tensions between Venezuela and the United States, then President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez called then-US President George W. Bush a “devil”. Chavez’s assertions came a day after Bush gave his keynote address at the international event. "Yesterday, the devil came here, right here," he said, making the sign of the cross. "And it smells of sulfur still today,” the former Venezuela leader asserted. 

Hugo Chavez bashes Bush in the 2006 UNGA General Debate, (Image: AP)

Netanyahu draws the red line 

During his address to the assembly in 2012, Israeli Prime Minister  Benjamin Netanyahu called on the UN to draw "a clear red line" to stop Iran’s development of nuclear weapons. ”A red line should be drawn here," he said, drawing a literal red line to the illustration he presented to the body. “Drawing a red line before Iran completes the second stage of nuclear enrichment necessary to make a bomb,” he added. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel addresses the General Assembly, Image: UN Photo

‘The Rocket Man,’ Trump threatens North Korea’s Kim 

In 2017, former US President Donald Trump unleashed an open threat against North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jon Un, insisting that he would “totally destroy” the draconian regime. Trump even went on to call Kim “the rocket man” stirring major headlines. “Rocket man is on a suicide mission for himself and his regime,” the twice-impeached former US President avered. “The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea,” he added. 

President Donald Trump speaks at UN General Assembly (Image: AP)

While the first day of the 78th UNGA General Debate remained eventful, it will be interesting to see what other issues will come to the forefront at the assembly.