During the Conference

MUN Guide General Assembly
- Introduction
  - Overview of this Guide
  - How Decisions are Made at the UN
- UN at a glance
  - How a State Becomes a UN Member
  - UN Emblem and Flag
  - UN Charter
  - UN Structure
  - The 4 pillars of the United Nations
  - UN Family of Organizations
  - History of the United Nations
- Getting Ready
  - Decisions Before a Conference
    - Agenda, Workplan, Documents and Rules of Procedure
    - Choosing Leadership Roles
      - Leadership Positions in the GA
      - Leadership Positions in the Secretariat
      - Leadership Positions in the Security Council
      - Selecting Candidates for Leadership Positions
    - Oversight of the Conference - Things to Consider
    - Roles and Responsibilities of Elected Officials
  - Delegate Preparation
- Step-by-Step Outline for Organizing a MUN
  - Pre-Conference
  - During the Conference
- Formal and Informal Meetings
  - Formal Proceedings
    - Action Phase: Making Decisions
    - Adoption of Agenda and Work Programme
    - Discussion Phase -- General Debate
    - Opening and Closing of Plenary
    - Plenary vs. Committee Meetings
    - Differences Between GA Rules and some Model UN Rules of Procedure
  - Informal Processes
    - Significance of Groups
    - The Purpose of Consultations
- Skills
  - Chairing a Conference
    - General Considerations and Denationalization
    - Procedural Roles of the Chairman: A Step-by-Step
    - Substantive Role of the Chair
    - The Chair's Activities in Guiding the Work of a Committee
  - Drafting Resolutions
  - Negotiation
    - Competitive Bargaining vs. Cooperative problem solving
    - Characteristics of Winning Proposals
    - Fundamentals of Negotiation
    - Making Consultations Happen
    - The Process of Negotiation
    - Groups of Member States
  - Speaking at a Conference
    - Changing Audience and Cultural Sensitivity
    - Engaging the Audience
    - Forms of Address
    - Preparation, Purpose and Structure
  - Resources
    - General Information about the United Nations
    - United Nations General Assembly
    - United Nations Security Council
    - United Nations Documents
    - Other Online Resources

Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly

The order of the items during the first Plenary meeting of the GA should be as follows:

Statement by the PGA
Minute of silent prayer or meditation
Statement of the Secretary-General
Organization of work, General Committee report, adoption of the agenda, and allocation of items
Statements by head delegates. Delegations should request to be put on the list of speakers by sending an email to the Model UN Secretariat prior to the Plenary meeting. The number of delegates who can speak will depend on how much time is available and the number of delegations. If time is limited, first priority should be given to the heads of regional groups.

Committee Meetings

Step 1

Make sure each committee has a bureau comprised of a Chair, a Vice-Chair, a Rapporteur, and a Secretary. The only people who need to be seated on the podium at any one time are the Chair, the Rapporteur, and the Secretary. If a guest expert has been invited for an interactive session with the Committee, then they should be seated on the podium as well.

Step 2

At the beginning of the first committee meeting, the Chair should go over the Programme of Work that will provide the framework for its deliberations. During the formal meetings, deliberations on each agenda item allocated to a Committee are split into two parts: 1) a discussion phase and 2) an action phase. The discussion phase is the time in which delegations make statements on the agenda item being discussed. Delegates must let the committee’s Secretary know that they wish to be put on the list of speakers. The order of speakers is on a first-come, first-served basis. The Chair decides whether the list of speakers will remain open during the meeting, or whether there should be a deadline for requests. While the discussion phase is taking place, the sponsors of a resolution should work behind the scenes to build support and identify which delegations want to be a co-sponsor. Research should be conducted by the Secretary prior to the conference to determine which delegations—or which regional or political groups—are most likely to sponsor or co-sponsor a resolution. The blocs should work together on the draft resolution before tabling it.

Step 3

Allot time at the beginning of the first committee meeting for an interactive session with an expert on the topic that is being debated. If an expert is not available, one of the Model UN USGs should be able to brief the delegates.

Step 4

Schedule time each day for the General Committee and bureaus to meet and review the progress being made. This time will also allow the General Committee and bureaus to identify differences between their positions on the topics being debated that might impact whether a resolution is adopted by consensus or not. In addition, allow time for the head delegates to meet with their delegations.

Step 5

Assign facilitators (e.g., a GA VP, a head delegate, or a delegate who possesses diplomatic skills) to help delegations reach consensus where needed.

Step 6

Once ready, table the draft resolution with the committee’s Secretary so that copies can be distributed to delegates. After delegates have had sufficient time to read the draft resolution, the main sponsor can introduce it during one of the formal committee meetings.

Step 7

Soon after a draft resolution is tabled, schedule an informal meeting to review the draft resolution line by line. Following each review, circulate a “compilation text” that reflects on the status of the negotiation process Sometimes a draft resolution needs to go through a few reviews before consensus is achieved. If consensus is reached during the review process, the bureau should be informed the resolution will be adopted by consensus. However, if there is difficulty in reaching consensus, the Chair can appoint a facilitator to help resolve remaining issues. During Model UN conferences, delegates need to be aware of time constraints when negotiating a resolution. Sometimes, though, consensus is not possible, even with the assistance of a facilitator. In this case, the delegation that wishes to request a vote needs to notify the committee’s Secretary. In any case, it cannot be stressed enough that the concept of consensus is central to the values of the UN.

Step 8

If consensus cannot be reached on the text, then any of the non-sponsors wishing to introduce an amendment to the draft resolution can do so at the first formal meeting to review the draft resolution text. Similar to a draft resolution, an amendment must be tabled with the committee’s Secretary in time for it to be distributed before a vote occurs. If there is more than one amendment, action will be taken on each amendment in the order in which it was received. Amendments are introduced by Member States if consensus cannot be achieved on a draft resolution. In some cases, Member States that strongly oppose a draft resolution, or an amendment to a resolution, will raise a Point of Order and make a Motion for Adjournment of Debate. This is referred to as a No Action Motion because if a majority of Member States that are present vote in favour of adjourning debate, no action is taken on the resolution or amendment. While it has the same outcome as if there had been a vote and the resolution or amendment was defeated, the Motion for Adjournment of Debate can be used to severely limit discussion of the item before action is taken.

Step 9

Repeat these steps for each tabled resolution. Carefully consider how many items should be allocated to each committee. Given the time constraints, it is strongly suggested leaving enough time to discuss only one resolution really well instead of several. Leaving time for more informal and constructive consultations between delegates in order to resolve different points of view on how a text should be revised is often essential to a successful outcome.

During the Conference