MODEL UNITED NATIONS RULES OF

PROCEDURE

SECTION 1: RULES REGARDING DEBATE

Clause 1: Roll Call
Roll call shall be the first step inside the committee. After the delegates have settled, the
Executive Board member(s) will call out the names of the countries allocated in the
committee in alphabetical order.

Delegates have two options:

● Present – if the delegate is unsure about voting on the final resolution.

● Present and Voting – if the delegate is committed to voting on the resolution (cannot
abstain during substantive voting).

Clause 2: Quorum
To begin committee proceedings, at least 1/3rd of the total committee strength must be
present.

Clause 3: Adopting an Agenda

1. The Executive Board opens the floor for motions to set the agenda.
Motion format: “The delegate of [country] moves to set the agenda as [topic area].”

2. The EB calls only for opposition. If opposition exists, One For and One Against
(max 1 minute each) are entertained.

3. An informal vote (simple majority) is held.

○ If it fails, the second topic is automatically set.

○ If there’s no second topic, the committee enters Emergency Debate.

Clause 4: Speaker’s List

 ● Opened at the request of a delegate through a motion.

● Format: “The delegate of [country] moves to commence the speaker’s list.”

● Default time: 90 seconds (subject to EB change).

● Delegates can be added verbally or via written request.

Clause 5: Yields
After a speech, a delegate may yield:

1. To another delegate (if over 15 seconds remain). The EB selects among volunteers.

2. To Points of Information (POIs) – floor opens to 2 questions or comments.

3. To the floor – Chair decides how to use the remaining time.

Clause 6: Points
Listed in order of disruptiveness:

1. Point of Personal Privilege – for issues of comfort or audibility. May interrupt a

speaker.

2. Point of Order – for procedural errors. Cannot interrupt a speaker.

3. Point of Information – questions on a delegate’s speech. Raised after speeches.

4. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry – clarifies RoP. Raised when no one is speaking.

Clause 7: Pleas
1. Plea to Reply – response to personal or national remarks made by another delegate.

2. Plea to Follow-up – allows a second question after a POI if granted by the EB.

Clause 8: Right of Reply

● Used to respond to grave insult or misrepresentation.
 ● Must be submitted in writing and granted at the discretion of the Presiding
Officer (PO).

● Cannot interrupt a speaker and is not subject to appeal.

Clause 9: Voting
1. Procedural Voting

a. Informal Stage
Delegates indicate Second or Oppose by raising placards.

● No opposition → motion passes

● No seconds → motion fails

● Both → committee enters formal vote

b. Formal Stage
Delegates vote For or Against.
No abstentions allowed.
EB can choose to skip informal vote entirely (must be consistent throughout the session).

2. Substantive Voting

● Three-stage process.

● Only delegates with voting rights present may vote.

Round 1:
Options:

● Yes

● No

● Yes with rights

● No with rights

● Abstain (except Present and Voting)

Round 2:
Delegates with rights get 60 seconds to justify their vote.

Round 3:
Final vote: Yes, No, or Abstain.
Present and Voting delegates cannot abstain.
Clause 10: Majority
● Simple Majority – 50% + 1 of present voting members.

● Special Majority – ⅔ of present voting members.

Decimal values are rounded up.

Example: 35 delegates → Simple: 18, Special: 24

Clause 11: Moderated Caucus

Motion format:
“The delegate of [nation] would like to raise a motion to start a Moderated Caucus on [sub-
topic] for a total time of [max 20 minutes] and time per speaker [max 120 seconds].”

● Requires Simple Majority via informal vote.

● Can be extended by half the original time.

● May occur during a crisis.

Clause 12: Unmoderated Caucus

Motion format:
“The delegate of [nation] would like to raise a motion to start an unmoderated caucus of
[duration].”

● Requires Simple Majority via informal vote.

● May be extended by half the original time.

Clause 13:
i) Individual Action Order (IAO)

● Submitted orally or in writing by a delegate assuming Head of State.

● Followed by mandatory Q&A session.

Applicable to:
 ● UN organs, GA committees, Human Rights Council, or any fictional/historic
simulations.

ii) Presidential Statement

● Issued by the Chair or President of the committee.

SECTION 2: CRISIS
Clause 14: Crisis Announcement
● Declared by Crisis Director or EB.

● Ongoing debate is paused; committee enters Special Speakers’ List (SSL).

● Followed by a mandatory unmoderated caucus (minimum 10 minutes).

Clause 15: Special Speakers’ List (SSL)

● Similar to GSL but for crisis-specific discussion.

● Delegates may be added verbally or via written request.

Clause 16: Crisis Updates

● New developments provided by EB.

● Dissolves all ongoing caucuses and redirects the committee to SSL.

● Does not require the Secretary-General’s approval.

SECTION 3: PAPERWORKS
Clause 17: Position Paper
Submitted before the first session. Must include:

● Background of the agenda

 ● Country’s stance

● Country’s relation to the issue

● Proposed solutions

Clause 18: Working Paper

● Contains committee views on a sub-topic.

● Presented by motion:
“The delegate of [country] moves to present the working paper [number].”

● Requires Simple Majority, voted informally.

● If passed, must be included in the resolution.

Clause 19: Resolution

● Final document summarizing solutions.

● Introduced by motion:
“The delegate of [country] moves to present the draft resolution [number].”

● Multiple drafts: the one with most signatories is considered first.

● Voting on passage uses three-stage formal procedure.

Resolution Number Format:

● UNSC: RES/SC/[resolution no]/[year]

● GA Committees: RES/GA/[committee no]/[resolution no]/[year]

● Other Committees: RES/[committee acronym]/[resolution no]/[year]

Clause 20: Amendments

Two types:

a) Friendly – Approved by all authors; no vote needed.

b) Normal – Not approved by all; must pass by Simple Majority.
Motion format:
“The delegate of [country] would like to raise a motion to amend the draft resolution.”

SECTION 4: ANNEXURE
I. Preambulatory Clauses
Examples:

● Acknowledging, Alarmed by, Deeply concerned, Recognising, Reaffirming,

Welcoming, etc.

II. Operative Clauses

Examples:

● Accepts, Adopts, Affirms, Authorizes, Calls upon, Encourages, Notes, Requests,

Urges, Welcomes, etc.

Further Reference
● How to Write a Winning Position Paper – Best Delegate

● How to Write a MUN Resolution – Best Delegate

● WiseMee, Best Delegate – General MUN Resources