motion to set agenda

In most Model UN committees that debate two or more topics, the motion to set the agenda is the first substantive procedural motion entertained after roll call. It determines the order in which the topics on the provisional agenda will be discussed. The motion is typically phrased as: "Motion to set the agenda to Topic A, followed by Topic B."

The motion requires a second and is debatable, usually through a short speakers list of speeches for and against (commonly two for, two against, often 30 seconds to 1 minute each, depending on the rules of procedure in use). It passes by a simple majority vote. If it fails, the agenda defaults to the reverse order, or another delegate may move to set it in a different order.

Because committees rarely finish more than one topic in a standard MUN session, the vote on setting the agenda often effectively decides which topic will be debated at all. For this reason, delegates frequently lobby heavily during the first unmoderated caucus or pre-conference correspondence to build a bloc behind their preferred topic order. Strategic considerations include which topic better suits the delegation's foreign policy, which topic offers more drafting opportunities, and which topic competing blocs are likely to dominate.

Conferences using THIMUN procedure generally skip this motion, as the agenda is pre-set by the secretariat and delegates move directly to debating pre-submitted resolutions. The motion is most common under Harvard/UNA-USA-style rules and similar North American parliamentary traditions.

Procedurally, the motion to set the agenda is distinct from a motion to table or postpone a topic, and from a motion to adjourn debate, which closes discussion on the current topic without resolving it. Once the agenda is set, reopening it typically requires a motion to suspend the rules or to change the agenda, which often demands a two-thirds majority.