1. Resolution Drafting Presentation by GA officials 28.07.2009

2. Table of contents Overview of drafting process General structure of resolution Preamble – general purpose – language – content Operative part – general purpose – language – content Numbering Handy tips Summary

3. Overview Resolutions are the channel by which Member States organise and implement their work RESOLUTIONSDECISIONS Content must be structuredWithout structure Used to implement new decisions or developments Used to recall or remind Member States of past action Used for important matters that need powerful structures Used for light issues or issues that have past

4. 1. General structure Divided into 3 main parts 1.Name of organ e.g. General Assembly 2.Preamble 3.Operative part

5. 1. Name of organ Ends with comma Italics e.g. The General Assembly, General Assembly only body that can adopt resolutions in GMUN In the UN, can also be Security Council, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Human Rights Council and other principal councils

6. 2. Preamble- general purpose Sets overall tone of resolution and rationale for action in operative part Outlines situation at hand Hints at the action without mention of the specific action to be taken e.g. “Considering that the Security Council is developing joint activities with...”

7. 2. Preamble- language Starts with present participle or other word or phrase e.g. Recalling Considering Aware of Must be italicised Points are not numbered- Referred to as “the first preambular paragraph...” etc. Every paragraph ends with comma,

8. 2. Preamble- content Recommend including reference to Charter e.g. “Recalling Chapter 11 of the Charter of the United Nations...” After first reference to document, may say just “charter” without “of the United Nations” May make references to past resolutions of GA, principle organs, or other organs e.g. if from GA- “Recalling its resolution 59/12 of 13 June 2007...” After first reference, can just say “resolution 59/12” without date NB. Order of reference to the Charter and resolutions will depend on the importance they have to current resolution (but recommended to begin with Charter)

9. 2. Preamble- content Refer to GA’s resolution as “its” resolution If resolution from other organs, mention name, e.g. “Recalling Security Council resolution 63/10 of 19 January 2006...” Never abbreviate in resolutions e.g. Cannot write ECOSOC, must write Economic and Social Council If reports of SG are mentioned, number of report not included in text, instead given as a footnote

10. 2. Preamble- content Can end preamble by taking note of reports e.g. “Taking note of the Secretary General’s report on HIV and AIDS in...” OR if you consider the report VERY important, include it as paragraph 1 of operative part e.g. “Takes note of the Secretary General’s report on the progress taken on Millennium Development Goal 6...”

11. 3. Operative part- general purpose Outlines specific action to be taken Stronger the better- lays the ground for future resolutions Most significant actions at beginning

12. 3. Operative part- language Each paragraph begins with verb- 3 rd person indicative (present tense). Must be italicised e.g. Urges Suggests Decides Could also begin with an expression or phrase. If so, whole expression or phrase must be italicised e.g. Takes note with satisfaction Paragraphs must be numbered e.g. referred to as “paragraph 2 of the draft resolution...” Every paragraph ends with semicolon; except the last one which ends with full stop.

13. 3. Operative part- language Key words, often used: Declares, Requests, Decides Key words, less frequent: Affirms, Notes, Welcomes, Notes with satisfaction, Notes with regret, Notes with deep regret, Expresses its appreciation, Expresses its deep concern Infrequent, used mainly by SC: Deplores, Condemns

14. 3. Operative part- content Sets precedent for future resolutions E nd operative part must include follow-up paragraph e.g. “Requests the Secretary General to report to the General Assembly at its sixty-fourth session a report on the implementation of the present resolution” OR “Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its sixty-fifth session an item entitled ‘Cooperation of...’” etc. Wording of new title of agenda item can affect the future focus of resolution

15. Numbering Numbering must be in following order: 3. Proposes that the Fund be governed by and Executive Committee which shall be: (a)Comprised of 21 Member States; (i) To be proposed by the General Assembly; (ii) To serve for a term of two years;

16. Handy tips Capitals must be used for: Member States Secretary-General (with hyphen-) The Secretariat UN organs (General Assembly) Numbers are written in letters, digits only used for very high numbers or dates “Sixty-fifth” must also be written in letters Percentages – 10 per cent Resolution MUST have operative part, whereas it may not have to have preamble (rare cases)

17. Handy tips- Order of strength of terms in operative part – Invites less strong- can still be declined – Calls upon- even stronger – Appeals- stronger still! – Urges/strongly urges- stronger... – Demands- strongest! NB. If you want another organ to do something, must use Requests – it is a request, not an order! E.g. “Requests the Secretary General...”

18. Summary Resolution must include 3 main parts Preamble- sets tone and rationale for action Operative part- outlines specific action Stronger the better! –Resolutions set precedent for following year’s work (Could be specific and focused,or broad and wide-ranging- will depend on the issue at hand and its current progress)