Model United Nations Rules of Procedure Hanyang University Summer 2009

Differences between Security Council and General Assembly / ECOSOC Rules Security Council deals with peace & security: Follows tradition of Security Council, or Facilitate debate in smaller Security Council 1.Votes necessary to pass motions, amendments, and resolutions:  GA: most questions approved by simple majority  SC: approves questions by a “super majority”  Nine affirmative (yes) votes out of 15 to pass,  Substantive matters? At least plus agreement among five permanent members.  Above rules = from Charter and SC tradition

Differences between Security Council and General Assembly / ECOSOC Rules 2.Open debate on motions:  GA: motions debated under strict parameters  Two speakers in favor of, & two speakers opposed to a motion  SC: debate on the same rule would be “open.”  Keep going until no one wishes to speak, then  President declares open debate closed, and moves to vote on resolution.  Recently: relatively quick process; no one speaks more than once & for limited amount of time  During Cold War: tool for filibustering

Differences between Security Council and General Assembly / ECOSOC Rules 3.Consultative Session:  Does not exist at UN but in model UN simulations  Informal debate where president assists 4.Presidential Statements:  Security Council: additional tool to present views is the “Presidential Statement.”  Statement on an issue without formal mechanism of a resolution. Stop gap measure prior to full council action Council near a decision, but passing resolution is problem for one of the members Ex.: Presidential Statement calling for cease fire & separation of the parties on the occasion of armed conflict breaking out, but before Council has many (any) facts on conflict

Differences between Security Council and General Assembly / ECOSOC Rules 5.Consideration of resolutions and amendments:  GA/SC difference? Bringing resolutions and amendments to the floor:  GA rules: require a percentage of members of committee or Assembly to cosponsor a resolution  SC rules: any member may bring resolution to floor, draft resolutions & amendments do not require cosponsors At UN resolutions and amendments do not need multiple sponsors (Model UN?)

Differences between Security Council and General Assembly / ECOSOC Rules 6.Working Agenda: SC: starting point for pre-conference research Can choose to discuss any world event related to international peace and security SC: discuss specific agenda topics for a specified period of time vs. scheduled sessions of General Assembly 7.Open Meeting Session: SC: allow any UN member to come and speak SC wants opinion of other states on an issue Members notify President who compiles speaker’s list