Timid development

Hi all!
Does the following sentence sound correct?
"the timid development of a debate on climate change".
I have to say that the development of the debate has recently started to slowly become more and more relevant in the country. I have to put it in a positive light, in the sense that this development is at the beginning, but at least has started and this is good.
Can I used "timid" in such a context? or what about "modest"?
Which other adjectives can I used?
Many thanks in advance!!!!

Perhaps you might use hesitant.

Thanks Keith!
I have used "hesitant" at last, and received no revisions for it, meaning that it sounded correct in that context!