A UN resolution is a formal expression of the opinion or will of a UN body. They follow a common and relatively strict format and are published online once approved. The goal of Model UN Made Easy is for delegates to write resolutions that contain solutions to a specific topic they are researching. A delegate who writes a resolution is called a sponsor and most resolutions have multiple sponsors because it takes a team to come up with the best ideas.
How UN Resolutions Work
The 15-member Security Council is charged with taking action, through resolutions and decisions, on any threats to international peace and security. But turning an initial draft into a legally binding document for the entire membership of 193 countries often faces hurdles, including being blocked by a single member’s “veto,” a privilege enjoyed only by the permanent members – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
This article looks at the journey of a resolution, from conception to adoption, and explores some of the more significant ones on the topic of Israel-Palestine. It also explains some of the vocabulary and terminology used in Resolutions.
The text of a Resolution starts with an “alphabetical list of the States which have contributed to the draft of this resolution (sponsors). This is followed by a title and an “operative clause,” which are the main proposals the sponsors have put forward. The resolution then concludes with an annex, which contains supporting documents and other material.