“Let my first words before this World Parliament be of confidence in the human capacity to overcome challenges and to move toward higher forms of partnership, both within and among nations,” Lula declared at the outset of his first address to the annual U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) more than 20 years ago.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva feels comfortable at the United Nations. He has plenty of experience speaking before the body, having governed Latin America’s largest nation from 2003 to 2011 and again since 2023. He is also an advocate for multilateral governance, valuing the U.N. as a platform that allows so-called developing countries to exert influence and participate meaningfully in shaping global decisions.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva feels comfortable at the United Nations. He has plenty of experience speaking before the body, having governed Latin America’s largest nation from 2003 to 2011 and again since 2023. He is also an advocate for multilateral governance, valuing the U.N. as a platform that allows so-called developing countries to exert influence and participate meaningfully in shaping global decisions.

“Let my first words before this World Parliament be of confidence in the human capacity to overcome challenges and to move toward higher forms of partnership, both within and among nations,” Lula declared at the outset of his first address to the annual U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) more than 20 years ago.

But if Lula has one thing in common with the world body’s