Module 1 - How to Write an Opening Speech | MUN Prep
Module 01 - Public Speaking

How to Write
an Opening Speech

Your opening speech is your first impression on the entire committee. Here's exactly how to write one that gets you noticed and taken seriously.

LevelBeginner
Read time12 minutes
Speech length60-90 seconds
Module typeFree

What is an Opening Speech?

At the start of most MUN conferences, delegates are given time to deliver a general speakers' list speech. The time on this varies, but it's a good bet to make your speech around 60-90 seconds. This is your introduction to the committee.

You present your speech before any resolutions exist, before any blocs form, and before any real debate starts. That's what makes it so important, because you have the opportunity to set the tone from the very beginning. You're stating your country's position, signaling what you care about, and telling every other delegate what kind of ally or opponent you'll be.

Why it matters

Chairs begin forming their opinions of delegates in the first ten minutes. A strong opening speech can put you on their radar from the jump, before you've even written a single clause. If you aren't able to get on the speakers' list, it's not the end of the world. It's still possible to make a good first impression, you'll just have to find another opportunity at another time.

The Structure of an Opening Speech

Most strong opening speeches follow a rough skeleton. You don't have to exactly hit every beat. In fact, we encourage you not to. A lot of opening speeches can be really repetitive and forgettable. But it's still a good idea to have a general outline of what you want to address in your opening speech. The difference between a good opening speech and a great opening speech is how you present the information.

  1. 1
    Hook: grab the room
    Start with a statistic, short quote, or provocative question. Not “Honorable Chair and distinguished delegates…” that's how every forgettable speech begins.
  2. 2
    Country context: your nation's position
    Briefly explain why this topic matters to your country specifically. What's your nation's history with it? How does it affect your people economically, socially, or politically?
  3. 3
    Position: where you stand
    Be clear and direct. Vague speeches win no allies. State your country's position on the topic. What do you support? What do you oppose? What's your priority? Be straight up, but maintain diplomacy.?
  4. 4
    Solutions: what you're bringing
    Hint at 1-2 solutions or ideas you plan to push for. Don't reveal everything just yet, someone could swoop in and take your idea.
  5. 5
    Call to action: invite collaboration
    End with a signal to the room. Who do you want to work with? What kind of resolution do you want to build? Make delegates feel invited into something. Make them feel special.

A Real Example

Here's a sample opening speech for a delegate representing Brazil in a committee on global food insecurity. Read it once straight through, then look at the annotations.

Eight hundred and twenty-eight million people went to bed hungry last night. Hook

Brazil knows this crisis intimately. As one of the world's largest agricultural producers, we have watched our own communities battle food insecurity while exporting record tonnage of soybeans and beef. The contradiction is not lost on us. Country context

Brazil's position is clear: food insecurity is not a production problem. It's a distribution and equity problem. The world grows more than enough food. What fails is the infrastructure, political will, and the financing to get that food to people who truly need it. Position

We will be pushing for mechanisms that incentivize regional food-sharing agreements, reduce import tariffs on staple goods for least-developed countries, and invest in cold-chain logistics in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Solutions

Brazil is ready to work with any delegation that believes hunger is a solvable problem. We look forward to building something meaningful in this committee. Call to action

Notice what this speech does

Notice what this speech does: It's about 150 words, which is good for 60 seconds at a measured pace. It never says “we believe” without saying what they believe. And the final line is an open invitation to allies without naming anyone specifically.

Common Mistakes

❌ Instead of this
"France believes this is a very important topic and that we must all work together."
✓ Try this
"France advocates for a binding multilateral framework with real enforcement mechanisms, that way countries are held accountable and needs are met."
❌ Instead of this
Starting with "Honorable Chair and distinguished delegates…"
✓ Try this
Start with your hook. If in the rare chance your conference requires a formal opening, make it one sentence max, then get to your content.
❌ Instead of this
Reading a history of the topic and summarizing the issue as if 80% of the room didn't research.
✓ Try this
Assume the room knows the basics. Use your time to say something that actually adds to the table.
❌ Instead of this
Being so vague that no one knows what you actually support or oppose.
✓ Try this
Be specific enough that after your speech, another delegate could walk up and say "I agree with your point about X." A good way to start is saying something only your country would say.

Delivering it well

Writing a great speech is half the battle. Here's what separates a speech that reads well from one that makes a strong impact in the room.

Pace and timing

Most delegates rush when nervous. Aim for about 130-150 words per minute, it seems fast but it's actually a lot slower than you think. Practice with a timer. IF your 90-second speech takes 65 seconds, talk slower or add content.

Eye contact

Look up. Pick 3-4 spots in the room and rotate between them. Don't lock onto one person and don't stare at your paper. Over multiple years of experience, many delegates can think of a rough outline of a speech in their head and go up to the podium without any paper and deliver a great speech. Delegates who make more eye contact are perceived as more confident and educated.

The one-page rule

Write your speech on a single sheet, large font, with your key phrases highlighted. When you look down, you should be able to find your place instantly.

Don't memorize it word for word

If you blank on one word, you lose the whole thing. Just know the rough structure and the key lines you want to say, and let the rest flow naturally. With practice, this can become an incredible tool not just in MUN, but at any time you need to give a speech on the spot. Authenticity beats precision in a speech.

Pre-speech checklist

Run through this before you stand up to speak.

  • My speech has a hook that isn't "Honorable Chair and distinguished delegates"
  • I state my country’s position clearly, someone listing could summarize in one sentence
  • I mention at least one specific solution or policy direction
  • My speech ends with a signal to potential allies
  • I have timed it - it fits within my conference’s speaker time
  • I have practiced it out loud at least 3 times and each time it was different because I didn’t memorize my speech word for word, I know the rough shape of it
  • I know my key statistics by heart and I can recall them without looking at my paper

Key takeaways

Hook first. The first ten words of your speech determine whether the room listens to the rest. Skip the formalities and start with something that creates forward momentum.

Be specific. Vague speeches are forgettable speeches. State your position. Name your solutions. Give the room something to react to.

Think about your audience. You're not just speaking to the chair — you're speaking to every potential ally in that room. End your speech in a way that invites people toward you.

Practice out loud. Reading a speech and delivering a speech are completely different skills. You need to hear yourself say it to know if it works.