Opening speeches are an opportunity to explain your country's policy , introduce your resolution topic and key sub-issues you want the committee to focus on.
They are important as they will help you determine the countries you want to work with during the lobbying and merging session. They should only last one minute for those in Human Rights, Eco-Soc, Environment, Political and three minutes if you are in Security Council.
A one minute speech is about 150 words and please keep in mind that 45 seconds is better than one minute 15 seconds because you will be cut off after 1 minute anyway. There is no point in trying to squeeze in extra information and therefore talking too quickly. A good speech is delivered slowly with strategic pauses - watch Obama's speeches
Please go to this website to find out more on how to write and deliver an opening speech: http://bestdelegate.com/how-to-make-an-opening-speech/
Sample Opening Speech 1
Honorable Chair, Esteemed delegates.
The delegate of ----------- is delighted to be part of the 12th annual SIMUN conference.
He/she hopes that his/her fellow delegates will engage in relevant debates, in order to make this conference productive. Let’s all take wise decisions after considering every resolution. Bear in mind that the U.N. was created to make a better world and not to satisfy an individual will.
This delegate would like to share with you, his/her preoccupation regarding ------- resolution. It is a fact that nuclear weapons are not yet proved to exist, however suspicions are strong. It is not acceptable that a country that can threaten the existence of another one to even have the slightest possibility of producing nuclear weapons. This is an outrage!
Nonetheless the -------- resolution wants nothing more than to protect all of us, so, -------- is in favor and supports this resolution and the other resolutions to be presented in this committee over the next 3 days.
Let’s all have a wise purpose here!
Thank You for your attention!
Sample Opening Speech 2
Honorable chair, fellow delegates and distinguished guests:
The delegation of Sudan realizes the importance of a world without a digital divide between MDCs and LDCs, genetic privacy and nondiscrimination, as well as resolution on the issues between Israel and Palestine. However the delegate of Sudan wishes to especially focus on digital access among all countries, for all people. The digital divide between MDCs and LDCs is something that needs to be bridged in order to help lower the rates of poverty worldwide and give many LDCs a better economy. As an LDC, Sudan is affected by this issue because of its lack of up to date digital access. The delegate of Sudan believes that a possible solution to the bridging of the digital divide is assistance from MDCs to LDCs in the form of programs, donations, and training. The delegate of Sudan looks forward to hearing and debating other delegations’ opinions on this and other issues.
Sample Opening Speech 3
Forum: Human Rights 2
Question of: The Use of torture in criminal interrogation procedures
Country: United States Of America
Honorable chair and fellow delegates; the United States is extremely privileged to attend this conference. In the past few years, the United States and several allies have been fighting a campaign in Iraq as part of its war on terror. Many lives were lost, but after long, hard combat the US finally defeated dictator Saddam Hussein. After his removal, the United States has been working to rebuild Iraq into a democracy and soldiers have stayed behind to eliminate insurgents. However, the delegation from the United States feels that its progress in Iraq has come to the point where the Iraqi government can handle itself independently, as is needed for any strong democracy. Beginning in 2011, the United States will begin withdrawing its soldiers from its Iraq. It has faith in the Iraqi people and know that they will be able to become a healthy nation. Thank you.
Sample Opening Speech 4
Forum: The Environment II
Council Question of: The Question of the Disposal of Nuclear Waste
Delegation: The United States of America
Honorable chair, fellow delegates and distinguished guests,
The United States of America is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this conference and the chance to find suitable solutions for environmental issues, such as nuclear waste disposal. Nuclear waste disposal is an important issue to the modern world because nuclear power greatly benefits human society, while at the same time potentially resulting in serious consequences. Exposure of radioactive waste in the environment must be eliminated if nuclear power is to be used, and better disposing methods of nuclear waste must be achieved. The United States highly values the environment and its well being. Therefore, it looks forward to discussing this and other issues in the following days. Thank you.
Sample Opening Speech 5
Forum: Human Rights
Question of: Gender equality in access to primary and secondary education
Country: Morocco
Honorable Chair and fellow delegates and distinguished guests, thank you for according us your time to deliberate this speech which Morocco believes is capital. Despite many efforts made by Morocco, gender equality in access to primary and secondary education is essential for a developing country such as Morocco. Women in Morocco usually receive less education then men which the data shows that 40% of women and 60% of men in Morocco receive a basic education which is a huge impact on the society. Morocco has already made considerable effort to enforce the laws but still has some progress to make. Morocco is looking forward for the support of UN countries beyond the borders for solutions to this International issue.