Primary Speakers List

In Model UN procedure, the Primary Speakers List (often just called the "General Speakers List" or GSL) is the running list of delegates who wish to address the committee on the substantive topic that has been set on the agenda. It is opened immediately after the agenda is adopted and, unlike a secondary speakers list, it does not close automatically — it persists in the background for the entire duration of debate on that topic.

When committee is not in a moderated or unmoderated caucus, the dais defaults back to the Primary Speakers List. Delegates raise placards to be added (or send a note to the dais), are recognized in the order they were added, and speak for the set speaking time — commonly 60 or 90 seconds, depending on the conference and committee size. After a speech, the chair typically entertains points and motions, which is the standard window for proposing caucuses, introducing draft resolutions, or moving to voting procedure.

Key procedural features:

• Always open by default: a motion to close the Primary Speakers List is in order, and if it passes, the committee must move to immediate voting procedure once the list is exhausted — a powerful tool used late in a session.
• Yields: under most rules of procedure (THIMUN being a notable exception), a delegate with remaining time may yield to another delegate, to questions, or to the chair.
• Substantive speeches: GSL speeches are generally used to signal bloc positions, float clauses, or call out other delegates' proposals, rather than to negotiate details (which happens in caucus).

The Primary Speakers List is distinguished from a Secondary Speakers List, which is opened to debate a specific draft resolution or amendment and closes when that item is disposed of. Procedures vary between rulesets such as UNA-USA, NMUN, Harvard WorldMUN, and THIMUN.