Parts of a resolution

PARTS OF A RESOLUTION:

CODE

The code is used for identification and consists of four parts – the committee acronym (i.e. “SC”), the status (“RES” for Resolution, “DR” for Draft Resolution), the number of the topic (you can find this in the background guides), and the number of the document itself, with 1 being the 1st one being approved by the Dais. 

Example: For the General Assembly’s 1st draft resolution on its 3rd topic, the code is GA/DR/3/1.

COMMITTEE

This is the full name of your committee.

SPONSORS

Sponsors of a draft resolution are countries that support the resolution; they are bound to support it and vote in favor of it by virtue of being a sponsor. Usually, the list of sponsors is the list of the primary authors of the draft resolution. The list of sponsors is removed by the dais when the working paper is codified.

SIGNATORIES

Signatories are similar to sponsors, except that they are not bound to support the document. “Signing on,” or becoming a signatory, means that you want the resolution to be debated and/or voted upon – no more, no less.

TITLE

The title is usually the title of your topic (i.e. “The Situation in Iran”), though it can also refer to a particular proposal within the document at the discretion of the sponsors and the dais.

PREAMBULAR / PREAMBULATORY CLAUSES

Preambular clauses (also known as “perambulatory clauses” or “pre-ams”) are the clauses that provide context, reasoning and justification for the operative clauses. They usually “set up the problem” or explain why the committee feels a need to act. They also usually get more specific and state why the committee feels a need to act in the specific way they’re going to. The first portion of the clause is italicized. Preambular clauses may not be amended or divided.

OPERATIVE CLAUSES

Operative clauses are the parts of the resolution that actually do something. If you’re sending in peacekeepers, condemning a country’s actions, calling for a ceasefire, or allocating money, it takes place in the operative clauses. The first portion of the clause is underlined, and each operative clause is numbered. As a given agenda topic is debated in both formal and informal debate, blocs of delegations will begin to work together on writing resolutions. During the initial writing and revision stages, these documents are referred to as working papers. Working papers are drafted and are then discussed with a larger number of delegations and revised or merged as needed according to their input. In order to be formally introduced to the floor, working papers must garner a certain number of signatures and then be approved by the director for printing and distribution as draft resolutions. There are two types of supporting a working paper to be brought to the floor.