Annex 2: Resolution Writing

Working Paper: Working Paper is an informal draft resolution proposed by a single Member State or by a group/bloc of nations without formatting which forms as the basis for creating a Draft Resolution, and after adoption, Resolution

Draft Resolutions (hence referred to as DR) are decisions, declarations, conventions, agreements or general decisions that are formally presented to the committee/assembly proposed by certain nations generally via consensus and with prior permission from the Vice President. It is a summary of decisions agreed upon by most/all nations throughout the course of the conference on a given agenda.

Resolution: A DR which has been adopted by the committee is called a resolution.

Sponsors: These are the member states who come up with the content of the resolution and directly endorse it.

Parts of a Resolution: A resolution consists of two parts: Preambulatory Clauses: These introduce the agenda and provide context for the rest of the resolution These are generally references to the UN Charter, relevant resolutions and previously agreed upon international instruments. They start with any of the following phrases:

2. Operative Clauses: These are the main policies that the resolution seeks to enact They contain policy prescriptive action which is internationally agreed upon. They start with any of the following phrases:

Format:

Heading: On the left side in capital, bold letters in Times New Roman font, size 14 in the uppermost part of the page.

Topic and Resolution Number: Right below the heading Resolution Number- 1.1,1.2 depending on the agenda point and the order of submission

Committee Name: Right below the topic and Resolution Number.

Content: 2 lines below the committee name in: Times New Roman Size 12

Preambulatory and Operative clauses- starting phrase will be underlined

A line between different paragraphs is required

To introduce a DR, after permission from the Vice President, a “Motion to Introduce DR (#)” is raised

Following the motion, the DR can be discussed in the following ways: Question and Answer Session: Most common, the Chairs allow for questions to be asked to the sponsors of the resolution.

Speaker’s List: Opening a speaker’s list or a moderated caucus to discuss the resolution at large

Amendments: These are changes proposed to the draft resolution after it is introduced in committee and need prior permission from the Chairs They can be of two types:

Friendly Amendments: All the sponsors of the DR agree with friendly amendments, and they are adopted automatically by the committee

Unfriendly Amendments: They are voted upon by the committee, and to propose an amendment, the Member State needs the approval of the Chair and 20 percent of the attending quorum.

Voting: Each Member State gets one vote, but Non-State Actors (NGOs and IGOs) do not have the right to vote. They, however, can provide their seal of approval for a DR, and may remove it if the resolution is amended against their policies. For member states, there are three ways in which they can vote:

Yes: In favor of the DR

No: Against the DR.

Abstain: Member States may abstain from voting on substantive issues like resolutions, but not on procedural matters. They are adopted by a simple majority.

Link to sample Draft Resolution: Here

Link to actual World Health Assembly resolution: Here