By: Joseph Parker

The General Assembly First Committee had difficulty determining how long Representatives should be allowed to speak during debate. After speaking with several Representatives, it became clear that the committee is sharply divided on the issue. On one side, Representatives argued that moderated caucus time should remain short and focused. On the other side, Representatives believe that the current limits restrict meaningful communication and prevent delegations from fully expressing their positions.

Supporting this view, Representative Mayan Paz of Türkiye stated, “A longer speech time is beneficial for giving other Representatives a chance to be heard by the committee.” Türkiye’s Representative argued that extending speaking time would create more clarity and allow delegations to properly explain their ideas. However, this stance is far from universal.

Offering a contrasting perspective, Representative Samara Harris of El Salvador remarked, “We are being irresponsible with our time to keep going back and speaking about the time to give. El Salvador is not in favor of more speaking time because more speaking time leads to less time for others to speak, as well as less time for Representatives to negotiate with each other about the propositions we have.”

Amid these opposing viewpoints, some Representatives pushed for a more balanced approach. Representative Caden Swanigan of Costa Rica explained, “We should have a base standard before we start changing times for debate. If no one can finish their statements, then we should add more time. Until then, let’s stop changing the time we have to speak.” This middle-ground position suggests that flexibility, rather than fixed increases or decreases, may offer the most practical solution.

Despite the ongoing disagreements, several Representatives remain optimistic that a compromise will eventually be reached. Representatives appear committed to finding a system that balances fairness with efficiency. As the discussion continues, the committee moves closer toward a shared understanding of how to ensure that every voice is heard without sacrificing valuable debate time.