What does it mean for a proposal to be tabled during the conference?

When a proposal is tabled during the conference, it signifies that the proposal will not be discussed at the current moment and will be set aside for consideration at a later time. This allows for the possibility of revisiting the proposal in future discussions, after more information may be gathered or when the timing is deemed more appropriate. This procedural action can also provide time for additional deliberation among the members or stakeholders involved.

The other options indicate different outcomes for a proposal. Automatic approval implies that a proposal would be accepted without any further discussion, which is not the case when a proposal is tabled. Similarly, outright rejection indicates a definitive decision against the proposal, and merging with another proposal involves combining ideas, neither of which aligns with the concept of tabling for later consideration.