Important Note: Layout and page numbers for this HTML version may vary significantly from the printed version of this handbook.
These rules were created following significant research into the UN rules, including referencing UN proceedings and interviewing UN Secretariat members and diplomats. UNIMUN's rules are easy to use in practice, but are fairly complex in writing to cover the mostly unwritten practices and precedents which guide many activities at the United Nations.
UNIMUN strives to focus on the needs and desires of the students who are participating in this educational endeavor. Similar to the rules at the UN, our rules focus on allowing for the "will of the body." As representatives of sovereign nations, each delegation has the right to pursue their policies as they see fit, directed by their research into that country and by the diplomatic circumstances of the Conference. Our staff, whether on the dais or behind the scenes, will always strive to allow each student the best possible experience and will facilitate the rules in a way which both assists the participants and allows for the "will of the body."
General Note: Sections 1 through 7 of these rules apply to all
simulations at the United Nations International Model United Nations (UNIMUN).
The rules following Section 7 apply only to the General Assembly Plenary
(GA) session and to the Security Council (SC) sessions, respectively. Please
note that some Security Council rules supercede the general rules in Sections
1 through 7, as specified.
1. ADMINISTRATIVE
1.1 The Secretariat. The Secretariat consists of the volunteer
staff members of UNIMUN.
1.2 Credentials. All questions concerning the validity of Representative
credentials shall be submitted in writing to the Secretariat, through the
respective body President,
a. The Secretariat has sole authority to decide all questions
concerning credentials,
b. Representatives must wear approved credentials at all times
while on the conference premises.
1.3 Quorum/Majority. A quorum will be one-third of the member
delegations in attendance at the conference,
a. A quorum must be present at all times during sessions,
b. A majority is required for a substantive question to be put
to a vote,
c. Questions concerning quorum or majority should be directed
to the President,
d. It is the responsibility of the President to ensure that a
quorum is present at all times,
e. This rule is superceded by rule SC 1.3 in the Security Council.
1.4 Officers. The Secretariat of UNIMUN shall select persons to
serve as President, Vice President and Rapporteur for each body, and shall
select any other positions necessary to help conduct the sessions of UNIMUN.
a. The President and Vice President shall serve as the procedural
officers of the meeting, and shall be responsible for facilitation of the
rules and debate,
b. The Rapporteur shall serve as the substantive officer of the
meeting, and shall be responsible for interactions on resolutions and amendments.
1.5 General Authority of the President. In addition to exercising
such authority conferred upon the President elsewhere in these rules, the
President shall;
a. Declare the opening and closing of each session,
b. Ensure the observance of the rules,
c. Direct the discussions of the body, and accord the right to
speak,
d. Advise the body on methods of procedure that will enable the
body to accomplish its goals,
e. Rule on Points of Order and Procedure, and subject to these
rules, shall have complete control of the proceedings and the maintenance
of order at meetings,
f. During the course of the session the President may propose;
i. Limits on Debate, Closure of Debate, Move to Formal Debate
and Suspension and Adjournment of the Meeting,
g. If the assigned President finds it necessary to be absent,
an individual will be assigned to perform the duties with the same authority.
At no time will the President be accorded the right to vote.
1.6 Number of Accredited Representatives. Each delegation is allowed one or two Representatives per body on which it is a member.
1.7 Selection of Agenda Items. Agenda items shall be selected by the Secretariat prior to the start of the conference. Once selected, these items are fixed for the duration of the conference.
1.8 Observer Status. Those delegations recognized as having Observer
Status by UNIMUN shall be accorded all rights in the sessions except the
following:
a. They may not vote on any item,
b. They may not make or second the following motions;
i. Adjournment of the Meeting (rule 7.2),
ii. Adjournment of Debate (rule 7.3),
iii. Closure of Debate (rule 7.4),
iv. Decisions of Competence (rule 7.7).
2. SPEAKING
2.1 Statements by the Secretariat. The Secretary-General or his/her designate may make verbal or written statements in any session at any time during the conference.
2.2 Diplomatic Courtesy. Representatives must accord diplomatic
courtesy to all other Representatives and Secretariat members at all times,
a. Representatives who persist in obvious attempts to disrupt
the session shall be subject to expulsion from the body by the President,
b. The Secretariat reserves the right to expel any Representative
or Delegation from the conference for abuses of diplomatic courtesy,
c. Decisions of the President on diplomatic courtesy are not
appealable.
2.3 Speeches. No delegation may address the body without obtaining
the permission of the President,
a. Delegations, not Representatives, are recognized to speak;
more than one Representative from the same Delegation may speak when the
Delegation is recognized,
b. Speakers must keep their remarks germane to the subject under
discussion,
c. A time limit may be established for speeches (rule 7.9).
2.4 Opening Debate. When the body begins discussion of a topic, the
President will create a speakers list including all delegations desiring
to make opening speeches,
a. The speakers list will be in English alphabetical order, beginning
with a delegation chosen at random by the Secretary-General prior to the
conference,
b. Any delegation may choose to not make an opening speech on
a topic,
i. The President will ask for any delegations wishing to exclude
themselves from speaking before the opening speeches begin,
ii. If a delegation is not available or does not respond when
it is called to speak during opening debate, that delegation gives up its
slot on the speakers list,
c. No points or motions may be made during opening debate except
for a Point of Order (rule 6.1), Point of Information (rule 6.2) or Suspension
of the Meeting (rule 7.1),
d. The President will establish a time limit for speeches based
on the number of delegations making speeches (rule 7.9),
i. This time limit is set by the President without debate or
a vote, and is not appealable.
2.5 Informal Debate. At the conclusion of opening debate, the body moves
into a period of informal debate on the topic,
a. During informal debate, delegations are called upon by the
President in the order in which they signify their desire to speak,
i. Delegations wishing to speak will signify their desire by
raising their placards,
b. The exception to this rule occurs on any Point of Order (rule
6.1), Information (rule 6.2), or Inquiry (rule 6.3), at which time a Representative
should raise their placard and call out "Point of ___________" to the President,
i. Points will be recognized in the order of their priority,
c. While any substantive issue or proposal may be discussed,
no resolutions or amendments may be brought to the floor during the informal
debate period,
d. Delegations may make any motions which pertain to the debate,
with the exception of Closure of Debate (rule 7.4) and those motions concerning
resolutions and amendments (rules 7.11 and 7.13),
e. Speakers will be recognized in a fair and orderly manner,
f. Speakers lists will not be used during the informal debate
period,
g. A speaker who desires to make a motion may do so after their
speech and any points of inquiry, but prior to yielding the floor,
i. By making a motion the speaker yields the floor,
ii. Motions may not be made from points or from procedural speeches,
h. The informal debate period concludes when the delegations
have concluded negotiations on one or more resolutions which will be brought
to the floor during formal debate on the topic,
i. A motion to move into formal debate is in order once negotiations
have concluded.
2.6 Formal Debate. At the conclusion of the informal debate period,
through either a successful motion to Move To Formal Debate (rule 7.5)
or the expiration of a time limit on the informal debate period (rule 7.9),
the body moves into formal debate on the topic,
a. Formal debate commences with the President announcing a speakers
list for the debate,
b. The speakers list for formal debate will be determined based
on input from the caucus groups and primary resolution sponsors,
i. During and immediately following the informal debate period,
each bloc should choose which delegations will represent that bloc's interests
on each resolution,
(1) Two leaders should be appointed by each bloc to convey
to the President which delegations should be placed on the speakers list
for each resolution which may come to the floor during formal debate,
(2) Each bloc may choose to have the same or different
delegations represent their interests on each individual resolution,
ii. Prior to the start of formal debate, the President will
consult with caucus leaders and primary resolution sponsors to determine
an abbreviated speakers list which provides a fair and representative group
of speakers for the formal debate, and speakers will be placed on the list
in a fair and equitable manner as determined by the President in these
consultations,
iii. Once announced by the President, the speakers list will
not be amendable, and no delegation may add their name to the list,
iv. The President's rulings on this speakers list are not appealable.
c. The President may suggest a time limit for speeches based
on the number of delegations making speeches (rule 7.9),
d. Any appropriate motions may be made when no speaker has the
floor, or by the speaker at the end of a speech,
e. Only one resolution may be brought to the floor and discussed
at any given time during formal debate,
f. Any number of amendments to the resolution on the floor may
be brought to the floor and discussed,
g. At the conclusion of the speakers list, debate is closed and
the resolution on the floor, along with any amendments, is brought to an
immediate vote,
h. Any number of resolutions may be moved to the floor during
formal debate on the topic,
i. Following the vote on a resolution, a motion to consider
another resolution, or a motion to close debate on the topic is in order,
ii. A motion to close debate on the topic, when made with no
resolution on the floor, has the effect of moving the body to the next
topic on the agenda,
i. This rule is superceded by rule SC 2.6 in the Security Council.
2.7 Right of Reply. The President may accord a Right of Reply
to any delegation in response to a speech by another delegation,.
a. Representative/Delegation requests for a Right of Reply shall
be made in writing to the President,
b. The request shall contain the specific language to which the
Reply is requested,
c. There shall be no reply to a reply,
d. The President may limit the time allowed for a reply,
e. The President's decision to grant a right of reply, as well
as the decision on a time limit for that reply, are not subject to appeal.
2.8 Withdrawal of Motions. A motion may be withdrawn by its proposer(s)
at any time before voting on it has begun, provided the motion has not
been amended,
a. Seconds to a motion may also be withdrawn; if a withdrawn
sponsorship or second brings the proposal below the required number the
motion is withdrawn,
b. A withdrawn motion, sponsorship or second may be reintroduced,
either verbally or in writing, by any other delegation.
2.9 Dilatory Motions. The President may rule out of order any
motion repeating or closely approximating a recent, previous motion on
which the body has already rendered an opinion,
a. This ruling is not subject to appeal.
3. RULES PRECEDENCE AND PRIORITY
3.1 Rule Priority and Procedure. The rules contained in this handbook are the official rules of procedure of UNIMUN and will be used for all General Assembly and ECOSOC sessions. These rules take precedence over any other set of rules.
3.2 Precedence of Rules. Proceedings in the General Assembly and
ECOSOC sessions of UNIMUN shall be conducted under the following precedence
of rules;
a. UNIMUN Rules of Procedure,
b. UNIMUN GA/ECOSOC Precedence Short Form,
c. Rulings by the Rules Committee,
d. The Charter of the United Nations.
3.3 The Order of Precedence of Procedural Motions. The order of precedence of procedural motions is listed, in order of priority in both the GA/ECOSOC Precedence Short Form and in these rules under Section 7, Procedural Motions In Order of Priority. These motions, in the order given, have precedence over all other proposals or motions before a body.
3.4 Rules Committee. The Under Secretary-General for Committee/Council
Affairs, President of the General Assembly, President of the Economic and
Social Council, and the Secretary-General or his/her designate shall compose
the membership of the Rules Committee.
a. This rule is superceded by rule SC 3.4 in the Security Council.
3.5 Rule Changes. The Rules Committee reserves the right to make corrections or updates to these rules at any time. Should a change occur, it will be communicated to the Representatives in a timely manner.
4. RESOLUTIONS & AMENDMENTS
4.1 Definition of Resolutions. A resolution is a proposal consisting of at least one preambulatory and one operative (activating) clause.
4.2 Draft Resolutions. For a Draft Resolution to be considered
on the floor during formal debate, it must be sponsored by at least one
delegation, and must be moved to the floor (rule 7.13),
a. After acceptance by the Rapporteur, resolutions shall be processed
in the order in which they are received and distributed to all delegations
as soon as feasible,
i. Draft Resolutions will be accepted by the Rapporteur as they
are created during informal debate,
ii. Draft Resolutions accepted during informal debate will be
copied for all members of the body when they receive the sponsorship of
25% of those delegations in attendance on the first day in that body,
iii. The final number of signatories needed will be determined
by the Rules Committee at conference registration and announced at the
opening of each session,
b. The President shall announce additional resolutions which
have received 25% sponsorship as they are ready for distribution,
c. Once a resolution is accepted by the Rapporteur and copied
for the body, additional sponsors may only be added to that resolution
with the consent of the original sponsors,
d. This rule is superceded by rule SC 4.2 in the Security Council.
4.3 Definition of Amendments. An amendment is a motion that adds to, deletes from or revises any part of a resolution.
4.4 Amendments. All amendments to resolutions must be signed by 15%
of the delegations in attendance on the first day in that body,
a. The final number of signatories needed will be determined
by the Rules Committee at conference registration and announced at the
opening of each session,
b. An amendment must be submitted on an official amendment form
to the Rapporteur for approval. Amendments will be approved if they
are legible, organized in content and flow, and in the proper format,
c. Approved amendments will be assigned an identification code
by the Rapporteur,
d. Typographical errors will be corrected by the President and
announced to the body,
e. One or more amendments may be considered on the floor at any
given time,
i. See also rule 7.11, Consideration of Amendments, for bringing
an amendment to the floor,
f. An amendment will be considered "friendly" if all sponsors
of the resolution are also sponsors of the amendment,
i. A friendly amendment becomes part of a resolution upon receipt
by the President,
ii. The President shall announce the acceptance of a friendly
amendment on the first opportunity at which no speaker has the floor,
iii. No vote is required to add a friendly amendment to a resolution,
g. This rule is superceded by rule SC 4.4 in the Security Council.
5. VOTING
5.1 Voting Rights. Each member delegation shall have one vote
in each body on which it is represented,
a. No Representative/Delegation may cast a vote on behalf of
another country.
5.2 Simple Majority. Unless otherwise specified in these rules,
decisions in the General Assembly and ECOSOC shall be made by a majority
vote of those nations present and voting, defined as one more "yes" than
"no" vote,
a. If there is an equal division between yes and no votes, the
motion fails,
b. The phrase "nations present and voting" refers to members
casting affirmative or negative votes,
c. Members which cast a final abstention are not counted as voting,
d. This rule is superceded by rule SC 5.2 in the Security Council.
5.3 Adoption by Consensus. The adoption of amendments and resolutions
by consensus is desirable when it contributes to the effective and lasting
settlement of differences, thus strengthening the authority of the United
Nations,
a. Any Representative may request the adoption of an amendment
or resolution by consensus at any time after Closure of Debate has passed,
b. The President shall ask whether there is any objection to
a consensus,
c. The President shall ask if any nations wish to abstain from
consensus,
i. Any abstentions will be noted in the official record of the
body,
d. If there is no objection, the proposal is approved by consensus,
e. If any Representative objects to consensus, voting shall occur
as otherwise stated in these rules.
5.4 Method of Voting. The body shall normally vote by a show of
raised placards. The President may grant a request by a Delegation
for a roll-call vote; the decision to grant such a request is not
subject to appeal,
a. When a roll-call vote is granted, the roll shall be taken
by electronic voting or shall be called in English alphabetical order,
beginning with a nation selected at random by the Vice President,
b. Representatives shall reply "yes", "no", or "abstain,"
c. This rule is superceded by rule SC 5.4 in the Security Council.
5.5 Conduct During Voting. Immediately prior to a vote, the President
shall describe to the body the item to be voted on, and shall explain the
consequences of a "yes" or a "no" vote. Voting shall begin upon the
President's declaration "we are in voting procedure", and end when the
results of the vote are announced,
a. Once in voting procedure, no Representative shall interrupt
the voting except on a point of order concerning the actual conduct of
the vote,
b. Following Closure of Debate, and prior to entering voting
procedure, the President shall pause briefly to allow delegations the opportunity
to make any relevant motions,
i. Relevant motions prior to a vote include: Suspension of the
Meeting (7.1), Adjournment of the Meeting (7.2), Decision of Competence
(7.7), Division of the Question (7.10) or Adoption by Consensus (5.3).
5.6 Rights of Explanation. Rights of explanation are permitted
on all substantive votes after voting,
a. Rights of explanation may be limited in time by the President,
b. Rights of explanation are normally only requested by those
delegations which voted in a way contrary to that in which they may have
been expected to vote by other delegations.
6. POINTS OF PROCEDURE IN ORDER OF PRIORITY
6.1 Point of Order. During the discussion of any matter, a Representative
may rise to a Point of Order if he/she believes that the body is proceeding
in a manner contrary to these rules,
a. The Representative will be immediately recognized by the President
and the point ruled on,
b. If a Representative's ability to participate in the deliberations
of the body is impaired for any reason, the Representative may rise to
a Point of Order,
c. A Point of Order may interrupt a speaker.
6.2 Point of Information. A Point of Information is raised to
the President if a Representative wishes to obtain a clarification of procedure
or a statement of the matters before the body,
a. Representatives may not interrupt a speaker on a Point of
Information.
6.3 Point of Inquiry. During informal debate, a Representative
may question a speaker by rising to a Point of Inquiry,
a. Questions must be directed through the President and may be
made only after the speaker has concluded his/her remarks, but before he/she
has yielded the floor,
b. Representatives may not interrupt a speaker on a Point of
Inquiry,
c. Points of Inquiry are not in order during Opening Debate or
Formal Debate,
d. See also rule 2.5, Informal Debate.
7. PROCEDURAL MOTIONS IN ORDER OF PRIORITY
7.1 Suspension of the Meeting. During the discussion of any matter,
a Representative may move to suspend the meeting, except when such a motion
would interrupt a speaker. Suspending a meeting recesses it for the
time specified in the motion,
a. A second is required for this motion, and a majority vote
is needed for passage,
b. A motion to suspend is not debatable, and will be put to an
immediate vote,
c. The President may request the mover to modify the time of
suspension,
d. If the motion passes, the body, when it reconvenes, will continue
its business from the point at which the suspension was moved.
7.2 Adjournment of the Meeting. The motion of adjournment means
that all business of the body has been completed or that the time allotted
for the meeting has elapsed, and that the body will not reconvene until
the next annual session,
a. A second is required for this motion, and a majority vote
is needed for passage,
b. A motion to adjourn is not debatable, and will be put to an
immediate vote,
c. The President may refuse to recognize a motion to adjourn
the meeting if the body still has business before it,
i. This decision is not appealable.
7.3 Adjournment of Debate. During the discussion of any matter,
a Representative may move the Adjournment of Debate on that matter,
a. Adjournment of Debate on a resolution or amendment has the
effect of tabling that item and allows the body to move onto another resolution/amendment,
b. A motion to adjourn debate during informal debate has the
effect of ending debate on that topic and moving immediately to the next
topic on the agenda,
c. A second is required for this motion, and a majority vote
is needed for passage,
d. Two delegations may speak in favor of the motion, and two
opposed; the motion shall then be put to an immediate vote,
e. An item upon which debate has been adjourned must pass a vote
of reconsideration before it may be brought back to the floor for consideration
(see rule 7.12).
7.4 Closure of Debate. During Formal Debate, a Representative
may move to close debate on one of two areas, either the resolution or
topic under discussion before the body, except when such a motion would
interrupt a speaker,
a. If closure passes on the topic, any resolution and amendments
on the floor will be put to an immediate vote,
i. Following that vote (if applicable), or if there are no resolutions
on the floor, debate moves on to opening debate for the next topic,
b. If closure passes on a resolution, the resolution and any
amendments on the floor for that topic will be put to a vote,
c. A second is required for this motion, and a majority vote
is needed for passage,
d. Two delegations may speak against closure, and the motion
will then be put to a vote,
e. If closure passes, all amendments on the floor will be voted
on in the reverse order from which they were moved to the floor for each
resolution,
i. After voting on all amendments is completed, the resolution
shall be voted upon in its final form.
7.5 Move to Formal Debate. The motion to move to formal debate is in
order to conclude the informal debate session and move the body into the
formal debate session,
a. A second is required for this motion, and a three-fourths
majority vote is needed for passage,
b. Two delegations may speak in favor of the motion, and two
opposed; the motion shall then be put to an immediate vote,
c. This motion has the effect of ending informal debate on that
topic, leading into the formal debate and voting periods for any resolutions
which have significant support among the body,
d. Following passage of this motion, the President will request
a brief Suspension of the Meeting to allow the body to prepare speakers
lists for formal debate on the topic.
7.6 Appealing a Decision of the President. Rulings of the President
are appealable unless otherwise specified in these rules,
a. A second is required for this motion, and a majority vote
is needed for passage,
b. Two delegations may speak in favor of the motion and two opposed;
the motion shall then be put to an immediate vote,
c. An appeal must be made immediately following the ruling in
question,
d. The President shall put the vote thusly: "Shall the decision
of the President be sustained?" A "yes" vote supports the President's
decision; a "no" signifies objection to the decision,
e. The decision of the President shall be sustained by a tie,
f. Rulings by the President on the following rules or motions
are not appealable: Diplomatic Courtesy (Rule 2.2), Right of Reply (Rule
2.7), Dilatory Motions (Rule 2.9), Method of Voting (Rule 5.4), Adjournment
of the Meeting (Rule 7.2), and any time a ruling by the President is a
direct quote from these rules of procedure.
7.7 Decision of Competence. A motion calling for a decision on
the competence of the body to discuss or adopt a proposal is in order at
any time prior to the proposal being put to a vote,
a. A second is required for this motion, and a majority vote
is needed for passage,
b. Two delegations may speak in favor of the motion and two opposed;
the motion shall then be put to an immediate vote,
c. If the body decides it is not competent to discuss or vote
on an amendment or resolution, the effect is the same as adjourning debate.
(See also 7.12 on Reconsideration.)
7.8 Changing the Order of Consideration of Agenda Items. Agenda
items will be considered in the order in which they appear in the UNIMUN
Representative Handbook, unless that order is altered by the passage of
a motion To Change the Order of Consideration of Agenda Items,
a. A second is required for this motion, and a majority vote
is needed for passage,
b. The motion to change the order of consideration is not debatable
and shall be put to an immediate vote.
7.9 Limits on Debate. A motion to limit or extend the time allotted
to each delegation, or limit the number of times each delegation can speak
on a proposal, is in order at any time. This motion may be proposed
by the President or a delegation,
a. A second is required for this motion, and a majority vote
is needed for passage,
b. Two delegations may speak in favor of the motion and two opposed;
the motion shall then be put to an immediate vote,
c. It may also be moved to limit the time allowed for informal
or formal debate on an agenda topic or a resolution.
7.10 Division of the Question. A motion to divide the question,
proposing that clauses of an amendment or resolution be voted on separately,
is in order at any time during formal debate but prior to entering into
voting procedure on the item in question,
a. A second is required for this motion, and a majority vote
is needed for passage,
b. Two delegations may speak in favor of the motion and two opposed;
the motion shall then be put to an immediate vote,
c. The first motion for division to receive a majority vote shall
determine the order in which the amendment/resolution parts are to be voted
on,
d. Those clauses of the amendment/resolution which are approved
shall then be put to a vote as a whole,
e. If division creates a resolution which no longer contains
any operative clauses, the proposal is removed from the floor without a
vote (see rule 4.1).
7.11 Consideration of Amendments. After a resolution has been
successfully moved to the floor (see rule 7.13), any delegation may move
to consider any specific amendment which has received the sponsorship by
15% of the body and has been accepted by the Rapporteur,
a. To bring an amendment to the floor for discussion a delegation
must first be recognized by the President,
b. No second is required for this motion, and no vote is needed
to move an amendment to the floor,
c. The President will present the amendment to the body,
d. See also rules 4.3 and 4.4,
e. This rule is superceded by rule SC 7.11 in the Security Council.
7.12 Reconsideration of Proposals. A motion to reconsider is in
order on an amendment or resolution which has passed or failed after being
put to a final vote. The motion is also in order for proposals on
which debate has been adjourned, and on proposals upon which the body has
decided it was not competent to discuss or adopt (rule 7.7),
a. A motion to reconsider requires a second and two-thirds majority
vote for passage,
b. Two delegations may speak opposed to the motion and the motion
shall then be put to an immediate vote,
c. If the motion passes it brings the issue back before the body
for debate, and to be voted on again.
7.13 Consideration of a Resolution. After entering formal debate,
any delegation may move to consider any specific resolution which has received
sponsorship by 25% of the body and has been accepted by the Rapporteur,
a. A second is required for this motion, and a majority vote
is needed for passage,
b. The motion to consider a resolution is not debatable and shall
be put to an immediate vote,
c. Only one resolution may be considered on the floor at any
given time,
d. When a resolution is successfully moved to the floor, the
President shall announce the speakers list for that resolution, as determined
prior to the formal debate on that topic,
e. See also rules 4.1. and 4.2,
f. This rule is superceded by rule SC 7.13 in the Security Council.
RULES WHICH ARE ONLY APPLICABLE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PLENARY SESSION:
GA 7.14 Important Questions. Decisions on Important Questions are applicable
only to the General Assembly Plenary Session,
a. General Assembly Important Questions require a two-thirds
majority vote of all members present and voting for passage,
b. Amendments to resolutions dealing with Important Questions
also require a two-thirds majority vote for passage,
c. Questions which automatically have Important Question status
shall include:
i. recommendations with respect to maintenance of international
peace and security (only when the Security Council fails to act),
ii. admission of new members to the UN,
iii. suspension of rights and privileges of membership,
iv. expulsion of member nations,
v. questions in relationship to the Trusteeship system,
vi. budgetary questions,
d. Resolutions which fall into these categories are automatically
Important Questions, and will be designated as such by the President of
the General Assembly,
e. Determination of additional categories of important questions
may be made by a simple majority vote of the members present and voting,
before a vote is taken on any part of a proposal dealing with the
subject,
i. If important questions status is moved, there shall be two
speakers in favor and two opposed, followed by an immediate vote on the
change of status.
RULES WHICH ARE ONLY APPLICABLE IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND HISTORICAL SECURITY COUNCIL SESSIONS:
Where stated, the following rules supercede those General Assembly and ECOSOC rules listed earlier in this document. All General Assembly and ECOSOC rules apply in the Security Council unless stated or amended in the following sections. Note that these sections track the numbers listed above in Sections 1 through 7.
SC 1. GENERAL RULES
SC 1.3 Quorum. In the Security Council a quorum is made up of
all member delegations; to begin a Council session all members must be
present,
a. The Secretariat reserves the right to adjust the quorum as
it deems necessary,
b. Questions concerning quorum should be directed to the President,
c. This rule supercedes rule 1.3 of the general rules.
SC 1.9 Attendance at Security Council Sessions. Each Security Council member delegation assumes the responsibility to have present a minimum of one accredited Representative at each Council session.
SC 1.10 Emergency Council Sessions. Emergency Security Council Sessions may be called by the Secretariat at any time international conflicts require immediate Council attention, as established in the Charter of the United Nations.
SC 1.11 Provisional Agenda. The Secretariat shall distribute a
provisional agenda to all delegations prior to the start of the Conference,
a. This agenda provides the Council with topics that are the
basis for its deliberations, but in no way limits the Council's topics,
b. A delegation that wants to add a topic to the agenda may do
so during any Council session (See rule SC 7.16).
SC 1.12 Participation by Non-Council Member Nations and International
Organizations. When an issue before the Security Council involves a non-Council
UN member nation or observer, the Council may request that the delegation
be represented during Council Sessions in which the issue is being discussed,
a. To do this a Council delegation must move that the nation
is Party to the Dispute (see rule 7.17),
b. A delegation that has been requested to attend Council sessions
will usually be given debating privileges; this would allow the delegation
to be recognized by the President during debate,
i. A non-Council UN member nation may submit resolutions or
amendments, but may not move these to the floor or vote at any time,
c. A delegation requested to attend a Council session, but not
given debating privileges, will be subject to a question and answer period
monitored by the President and conducted by the Council as a whole,
d. If it is determined that many nations outside of the Security
Council have an interest in a specific issue, the Council may declare an
"open debate" on any issue being discussed,
i. In order to allow all delegations time to prepare their comments,
an open debate in the Council should be announced at least four hours in
advance of the open debate session,
ii. Any UN member state or observer may participate in open
debate,
iii. Participation by non-Council members includes full speaking
rights but no right to vote,
e. If the Security Council, when discussing any issue, finds
it necessary to have present a Representative of a non-UN member nation,
an international organization, or any other persons whom it considers competent
for the purpose, it may request one by means of party to the dispute (see
rule 7.17). A Representative will be made available to the Council
in a timely fashion,
i. These Representatives may not be given debating privileges,
but will be subject to a question and answer period,
ii. The Secretariat will assume full responsibility to certify
Representative credentials prior to their appearance before the Council.
SC 2. SPEAKING
SC 2.6 Formal Debate. At the conclusion of the informal debate
period, through either a successful motion to Move To Formal Debate (rule
7.5) or the expiration of a time limit on the informal debate period (rule
7.9), the body moves into formal debate on the topic,
a. Formal debate commences with the President announcing a speakers
list for the debate,
b. The speakers list will be in English alphabetical order, beginning
with the Delegation which moves consideration of a resolution,
c. Any appropriate motions may be made when no speaker has the
floor, or by the speaker at the end of a speech,
d. Only one resolution may be brought to the floor and discussed
at any given time during formal debate,
e. Any number of amendments to the resolution on the floor may
be brought to the floor and discussed,
f. At the conclusion of the speakers list, debate is closed and
the resolution on the floor, along with any amendments, is brought to an
immediate vote,
g. Any number of resolutions may be moved to the floor during
formal debate on the topic,
i. Following the vote on a resolution, a motion to consider
another resolution, or a motion to close debate on the topic is in order,
ii. A motion to close debate on the topic, when made with no
resolution on the floor, has the effect of moving the body to the next
topic on the agenda,
h. This rule supercedes rule 2.6 of the general rules.
SC 2.10 Consultative Session. At any time, the Council may choose
to suspend its rules and enter an informal, consultative session if the
members determine that this process will better facilitate the discussion
of a particular issue,
a. The motion to move into a consultative session must include
the amount of time that such a session is to be in effect,
b. During Consultative Session, delegations may speak and question
each other at any time in an unmoderated discussion, so long as diplomatic
courtesy is maintained,
i. The President may step in to uphold diplomatic courtesy at
any time,
c. The Council may move out of the consultative session prior
to the end of the time period specified in the motion if all members are
in agreement,
d. The Council will move immediately back into its previous debate
(opening, informal or formal) at the conclusion of discussions on the consultative
topic.
SC 2.11 Open Debate on Motions. In the Security Council, pro and
con speeches are never taken on motions. Representatives wishing to speak
to a motion may do so for any motions which are subject to debate,
a. The President shall declare the opening and closing of debate
on motions,
b. Questioning of speakers will not be in order during this debate,
c. Motions of higher priority than the one being debated may
be made from the floor during open debate,
d. The President will declare debate closed when no other delegations
signify their desire to speak,
i. Closure of open debate may not be moved by a delegation from
the floor,
ii. The body will move to an immediate vote on the motion following
the President's declaration of Closure.
SC 3. RULES PRECEDENCE AND PRIORITY
SC 3.4 Rules Committee. The Under Secretary-General for Committee/Council
Affairs, President of the Security Council, President of the Historical
Security Council, and the Secretary-General or his/her designate shall
compose the membership of the Rules Committee,
a. This rule supercedes rule 3.4 of the general rules.
SC 4. RESOLUTIONS AND AMENDMENTS
SC 4.2 Draft Resolutions. For a Draft Resolution to be considered
on the floor during formal debate, it must be sponsored by at least one
delegation, and must be moved to the floor (rule 7.13),
a. After acceptance by the Rapporteur, resolutions shall be processed
in the order in which they are received and distributed to all delegations
as soon as feasible,
i. Draft Resolutions will be accepted by the Rapporteur as they
are created during informal debate,
ii. Draft Resolutions never require more than one sponsor, but
multiple delegations may choose to sponsor a resolution together,
b. Once a resolution is accepted by the Rapporteur and copied
for the body, additional sponsors may only be added to that resolution
with the consent of the original sponsor(s),
c. This rule supercedes rule 4.2 of the general rules.
SC 4.4 Amendments. All amendments to resolutions must be signed by at
least one delegation,
a. An amendment is submitted on an official amendment form to
the Rapporteur for approval. Amendments will be approved if they
are legible, organized in content and flow, and in the proper format,
b. Approved amendments will be assigned an identification code
by the Rapporteur,
c. Typographical errors will be corrected by the President and
announced to the body,
d. One or more amendments may be considered on the floor at any
given time,
e. See also rule 7.11, Consideration of Amendments, for bringing
an amendment to the floor,
f. An amendment will be considered "friendly" if all sponsors
of the resolution are also sponsors of the amendment,
i. A friendly amendment becomes part of a resolution upon receipt
by the President,
ii. The President shall announce the acceptance of a friendly
amendment on the first opportunity at which no speaker has the floor,
iii. No vote is required to add a friendly amendment to a resolution,
g. This rule supercedes rule 4.4 of the general rules.
SC 4.5 Presidential Statements. The Security Council may choose to issue
a Presidential Statement on issues which do not warrant a resolution,
a. This statement is formally from the President of the Council,
but is drafted by the body, or its designate(s),
b. This statement must be accepted by a consensus of the Council
(see rule 5.3),
c. These may either be produced as a "Presidential Statement"
or as a more strongly worded "Presidential Statement of Consensus,"
d. These statements are discussed, drafted and accepted in consultative
session or outside of a formal Council session,
i. As this type of statement does not represent a formal decision
of the Council, no formal vote is recorded on a Presidential Statement,
e. Unlike resolutions, Presidential Statements are not binding
on member states.
SC 5. VOTING
SC 5.2 Votes Required for Passage. All decisions in the Security
Council require nine (9) affirmative votes for passage; all decisions in
the Historical Security Council require seven (7) affirmative votes for
passage,
a. This rule supercedes rule 5.2 of the general rules.
SC 5.4 Method of Voting. The Council shall ordinarily vote on
motions by a show of raised placards. Unless adopted by consensus,
any nation may request a roll-call vote on substantive matters which shall
then be automatically granted by the President,
a. When applicable, roll shall be called in English alphabetical
order beginning with a nation selected at random by the Vice President,
b. Representatives shall reply "yes", "no" or "abstain",
c. The votes of Council members on all substantive matters shall
be officially recorded, and all substantive matters are subject to the
Consent of the Permanent Members, regardless of the means by which they
are voted upon (See rule SC 5.6),
d. This rule supercedes rule 5.4 of the general rules.
SC 5.6 Consent of the Five Permanent Members. As established in the
Charter of the United Nations, each of the five Permanent Members; China,
France, the Russian Federation (the U.S.S.R. in the Historical Security
Council), the United Kingdom, and the United States, shall have the right
to veto any substantive matter which comes to a vote before the Security
Council,
a. A "no" vote by any Permanent Member, along with nine affirmative
votes (seven in the Historical Security Council) by other Council members,
shall constitute a veto and cause the motion to fail.
SC 7. MOTIONS IN ORDER OF PRIORITY
General Notes on Motions in the Security Council:
1. No motion in the Security Council ever requires a second. While delegations
may choose to second a motion, only a sponsor is required.
2. Per rule SC 2.11, all motions in the Security Council which
are debatable are subject to an Open Debate period, after which the motion
in question shall be put to a vote. Debatable motions are those which have
pro and/or con speakers listed in the general rules, as well as those defined
below.
SC 7.11 Consideration of Amendments. An amendment, once approved
and assigned an identification number, may be moved to the floor by any
delegation that receives recognition by the President,
a. This motion is not subject to debate and may not interrupt
a speaker,
b. No vote is required to bring a resolution to the floor,
c. The President will present the amendment to the body,
d. See also rules 4.3 and SC 4.4,
e. This rule supercedes rule 7.11 of the general rules.
SC 7.13 Consideration of Resolutions. A resolution may be moved
to the floor by any delegation that receives recognition by the President,
a. This motion is not subject to debate and may not interrupt
a speaker,
b. No vote is required to bring a resolution to the floor,
c. See also rules 4.1 and SC 4.2,
d. This rule supercedes rule 7.13 of the general rules.
SC 7.15 Enter Consultative Session. A motion to enter consultative
session is in order at any time.
a. This motion is subject to open debate and may not interrupt
a speaker. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall
then be put to a vote,
b. The motion should specify a length of time for the consultative
session,
i. This can be set to a specific time, or based on the discussion
of a specific amendment, resolution or topic,
c. See also rule SC 2.10.
SC 7.16 Add an Agenda Topic. A motion to add an agenda topic is
in order during any Council session,
a. This motion is subject to open debate and may not interrupt
a speaker. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall
then be put to a vote.
SC 7.17 Party to the Dispute. When the Security Council discusses
a topic/issue that involves a nation or international organization not
represented on the Council, it may request a Representative by moving Party
to the Dispute,
a. This motion is subject to open debate and may not interrupt
a speaker. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall
then be put to a vote,
b. The motion must state the nation(s) or organization(s) whose
Representative is desired and, if a nation, whether debating privileges
are to be granted,
c. If debating privileges are not granted, a formal "question
and answer" period may be instituted by the President, for the purposes
of questioning the Representative on the issue(s) at hand,
d. See also rule SC 1.12.