Tension in DISEC: Chairperson and Delegates clash over side talks
Day one of the Lifelink Tertiary Model United Nations (LTMUN) 2025 opened with early tension in the Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC), after three delegates were called out for disrupting proceedings. The delegates of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Armenia engaged in side conversations even after the chairperson had called the committee to order. Their actions briefly stalled the flow of debate, drawing visible frustration from the chairperson, who was tasked with moderating the session.
Interrupting their meeting, the chairperson reprimanded the delegates for disregarding parliamentary decorum and undermining the seriousness of the forum. When the three attempted to respond, he ignored their explanations and proceeded with the agenda.
The choice to move on without warning or sanction left the room tense, with many delegates glancing at each other in silence. Model UN simulations often stress discipline, respect, and diplomacy, making the incident particularly striking on the very first day of deliberations. While the disruption itself was minor, the chairperson’s decision not to issue a formal warning may communicates how he intends to oversee committee proceedings.
Ruth Owusu, CNN, International Press Corps, LTMUN 2025
