What is the longest speech given at the United Nations?

According to Guinness World Records, the longest statement made at the UN was given by V.K. Krishna Menon of India. His statement to the Security Council was given during three meetings on 23 and 24 January 1957 (S/PV.762, S/PV.763 and S/PV.764). According to the times listed on the meeting records, the meetings lasted more than 8 hours.

The document "List of Speeches and Visits Made by Heads of State and Dignitaries" gives the length of speech or speech times for many statements made from 1945-1976, document ST/OGS/SER.F/4 + Add.1-2.

The longest timed speech listed in the above document was made by Fidel Castro of Cuba at the 872nd plenary meeting of the General Assembly on 26 September 1960 (A/PV.872). The time listed is 269 minutes.

Other long speeches:

• 10 Oct. 1960 – H.E. Mr. Sékou Touré – Guinea – President – 896th Plenary – 144 minutes (A/PV.896)
• 23 Sep. 1960 – H.E. Mr. Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev – USSR – Chairman of the Council of Ministers – 869th Plenary – 140 minutes (A/PV.869)
• 30 Sep. 1960 – H.E. Dr. Soekarno – Indonesia – President – 880th Plenary – 121 minutes (A/PV.880)

In addition, we have this note:

• 23 Sep. 2009 – H.E. Colonel Muammar Al-Qadhafi – Libyan Arab Jamahiriya – Leader of the Revolution – 96 minutes (A/64/PV.3) – (according to the website of the 64th session General Assembly General Debate)

Please note, we have not attempted to fill the gap in this information from 1976-present.

Currently, Rule 72 of the General Assembly's Rules of Procedure (A/520/Rev.20) concerns the length of statements in formal meetings. The Rules of Procedure have been amended over the years. See the Introduction to the Rules of Procedure for a history of the amendments.