Preambulatory and Operative Clause
Preambulatory Clauses
The preamble of a draft resolution states the reasons for which the
committee is addressing the topic and highlights past international action
on the issue. Each clause begins with a present participle (called a
preambulatory phrase) and ends with a comma. Preambulatory clauses can
include:
References to the UN Charter;
Citations of past UN resolutions or treaties on the topic under
discussion;
Mentions of statements made by the Secretary-General or a relevant
UN body or agency;
Recognition of the efforts of regional or nongovernmental
organizations in dealing with the issue; and
General statements on the topic, its significance and its impact.
Sample Preambulatory Phrases
Expecting Having examined
Affirming Emphasizing Having received
Alarmed by Expecting Keeping in min
Approving Expressing its appreciation Noting with deep concern
Bearing in mind Fulfilling Nothing with satisfaction
Believing Fully aware Noting further
Confident Emphasizing Observing
Contemplating Expecting Reaffirming
Convinced Expressing its appreciation Realizing
Declaring Fulfilling Recalling
Deeply concerned Fully aware Recognizing
Deeply conscious Further deploring Referring
Deeply convinced Further recalling Seeking
Deeply Disturbed Guided by Taking into consideration
Deeply Regretting Having adopted Taking note
Desiring Having considered Viewing with appreciation
Emphasizing Welcoming
Operative Clauses
Operative clauses offer solutions to issues addressed earlier in a resolution
through the perambulatory section. These clauses are action oriented and
should include both an underlined verb at the beginning of your sentence
followed by the proposed solution. Each clause should follow the following
principals:
Clause should be numbered;
Each clause should support one another and continue to build your
solution;
Add details to your clauses in order to have a complete solution;
Operative clauses are punctuated by a semicolon, with the exception
of your last operative clause which should end with a period.
Sample Operative Phrases
Accepts Encourages Further recommends
Affirms Endorses Further requests
Approves Expresses its appreciation Further resolves
Authorizes Expresses its hope Has resolved
Calls Further invites Notes
Calls upon Deplores Proclaims
Condemns Designates Reaffirms
Confirms Draws the attention Recommends
Congratulates Emphasizes Regrets
Considers Encourages Reminds
Declares accordingly Endorses Requests
Deplores Expresses its appreciation Solemnly affirms
Designates Expresses its hope Strongly condemns
Draws the attention Further invites Supports
Emphasizes Further proclaims Takes note of
Further reminds Transmits
Trusts
