Bolsonaro wants a fresh start at UN General Assembly

President Jair Bolsonaro is preparing to deliver the opening address of the UN General Assembly at the organization’s headquarters in New York next Tuesday. Brazil’s president has told his staff that he wants his appearance to be “impactful,” but when it comes to Mr. Bolsonaro, that could mean any number of things.

Aides led by Foreign Minister Carlos França are trying to convince the president to show the international community he has a pragmatic side — and “deliver the right messaging.”

Brazilian diplomats have carefully drafted a speech devoid of the highly ideological issues or vocabulary that would ruffle the feathers of the world’s superpowers. In his past UN addresses, Mr. Bolsonaro drew criticism for spreading false information and tapping into issues that were only relatable to a Brazilian audience. 

For this year, Mr. França is betting on three pillars: Covid vaccines, economic recovery, and climate action. Brazil also plans to present its credentials in peace and security, underscoring its new seat on the UN Security Council for the next two years.

If the president sticks to the script, he will highlight federal government efforts to cut Amazon deforestation rates and a plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Those points are part of...