Resolution Writing Guide

General Overview of the Purpose of Resolutions

Resolutions are the solutions that your committee proposes to the topic at hand. Passing
resolutions is the main way the United Nations develops international policy, and it is one
of the most exciting parts of HSMUN!

Formulation of Resolutions

Resolutions usually begin as working papers: very early plans of what their writers would
like to see come out of the committee. They are informal—they do not use the UN's clause
format.

Once delegates write up the principles and plans from the working papers into a formal,
UN-style (see below) draft resolution, they may introduce the draft to the committee for
discussion. Resolutions need two different kinds of support in order to move forward:

Sponsors
Delegates that agree to support the draft
resolution. Limit each draft resolution to 3
or 4 sponsors at most. (Observer countries
cannot sponsor resolutions.)
Signatories
Delegates that would like to see the
draft resolution debated. They are not
committed to voting ‘yes’ to the
resolution after debate closes.

To be formally introduced to the committee, a draft resolution needs a combined total of

sponsors and signatories greater than 1/5th of the size of the committee.

Once a resolution has been formally introduced to the committee, delegations may seek
to amend it. There are 2 kinds of amendments: friendly and hostile. Refer to the ‘Glossary’
page under the ‘Resources’ section for amendment details.

When debate is closed on a topic the committee moves into voting procedure. Any
resolutions or hostile amendments formally submitted in to the chair will be voted upon.
Only 1 draft resolution can be passed on any one topic. Approval of a resolution requires a
2/3rds majority.

Resolution Content

A good resolution deals with many facets of the topic at hand, such as the economic,
political and cultural implications of the topic.

Regular committees of the United Nations are unable to pass binding resolutions; their
resolutions are essentially policy statements that outline what position the UN is taking on
an issue.
The Security Council, on the other hand, can pass binding resolutions. Among
other things, these resolutions can impose military or economic sanctions, or
authorize the use of force. R e gul a r committees sometimes use their resolutions to suggest
that the Security Council enact some of their recommendations in order to make them a
reality.

Content of the Resolution will take two forms:

(1) Preambulatory Clauses: These clauses consist of a description of the situation,
references to past resolutions, and general contextual material. They should state the
reason why the committee is concerned with this topic in the first place, and cite
important documents (UN Charter, past resolutions, etc.) already passed which are
relevant to and justify the upcoming operative clauses.
An example of a preambulatory clause could be:

Reminding all nations of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes the inherent
dignity, equality and inalienable rights of all global citizens,

(2) Operative Clauses: Operative clauses list the committee’s recommendations on an

issue. They are requests, suggestions, or endorsements for action by member-states, as
well as directives towards specific organs of agencies of the UN. They may also
condemn the actions or inaction of a member-state.
An example of an operative clause could be:

Calls for the development of a United Nations Trust Fund that encourages
voluntary donations from the private transnational sector to aid in funding
the implementation of rapid deployment forces;

Formatting

The first word of any preambulatory clause is italicized. These clauses start with the
following types of phrases:

Acknowledging ... Considering… Guided by…

Affirming ... Contemplating… Having…
Approving ... Declaring… Mindful…
Aware… Deeply disturbed… Noting…
Bearing in mind ... Desiring … Observing...
Being convinced ... Determined … Reaffirming...
Believing ... Emphasizing ... Realizing...
Cognizant ... Encouraged ... Recalling...
Concerned ... Endorsing ... Recognizing...
Confident ... Expressing ... Referring...
Conscious ... Grieved… Regretting...
Considering ... Grieved… Welcoming...
Each operative clause begins with a number and ends with a semicolon, except for
the final clause, which ends in a period. The first word of an operative clause is italicized.
Operative clauses start with the following words:

Accepts... Deplores... Further... Reaffirms...

Affirms... Designates... …invites ...its belief...
Appeals... Directs... ...proclaims... Recognizes...
Appreciates... Emphasizes... ...reminds... Recommends...
Approves... Encourages... ...recommends... Regrets...
Authorizes... Endorses... ...requests... Reiterates…
Calls upon... Expressing... ...resolves... Renews its appeal
Commends... ...its appreciation... Instructs... Repeats...
Concurs... ...its conviction... Invites... Suggests...
Condemns... ...its regret... Notes... Strongly...
Confirms... ...its sympathy... ...with appreciation Supports...
Congratulates... ...its thanks... ...with approval... Takes note of...
Considers... ...the belief... ...with interest... Urges...
Declares... ...the hope... ...with satisfaction... Welcomes...

Keep in mind that clauses (both perambulatory and operative) may not contain multiple
sentences.

Stylistic Considerations
Your draft resolutions must follow the HSMUN format template. It is important that the
quality of resolutions remains consistent across all HSMUN committees. The HSMUN
format template is:

1. Header (for draft resolutions)

2. Sponsors and signatories must be listed alphabetically, using their
proper names (as shown on the HSMUN Delegations list)
3. After the header are the preambulatory clauses. Be careful
of the indentation. The first word of each of these is italicized, and
each clause is ended with a comma.
4. These are followed by numbered operative clauses, each ending
with a semi-colon until the last one, which is ended by a period.
5. And finally, the last clause is typically: “Decides to remain actively
seized in the matter.” This calls for the continued attention to the
topic at hand in the future.
General Tips for Delegates about Resolution Writing

→ Be detailed. For example, if your resolution calls for a new program, think about how
it will be funded and what body will manage it.

→Be realistic. Do not create objectives for your resolution that cannot be met. Make sure
your body can take the action suggested. For example, the General Assembly can’t impose
sanctions on a country – only the Security Council can do so.
→ Cite facts whenever possible.
→Collaborate. Your committee will be more likely to approve the resolutions if many
delegates contribute ideas.

Resolution 1672 (2006)

Adopted by the Security Council at its 5389th meeting, on
24 February 2006

The Security Council,

Reaffirming its commitment to randomness, hats, ice cubes, small pine

cones, and the noble sport of tiddlywinks,

Pledging to make more useless perambulatory clauses that

conveniently word-wrap around to illustrate the template,

1. Recommends something trivial involving randomness, hats, ice cubes,

small pinecones, puppies, photovoltaic cells, “The Prince” by
Machiavelli, and the noble sport of tiddlywinks;

2. Does stuff in such and such a way so as to ensure that such and
such an outcome occurs in such and such a timespan;

3. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.