GWHMUN 2024

IAEA
BACKGROUND GUIDE
Agenda: Regulating Innovations in
Nuclear Technology and Small
Modular Reactors
 TABLE OF
CONTENTS
● Letter from the Executive Board
● Key Terms
● Introduction to the IAEA
● Introduction to the Agency
● International Law
● Impact
● Questions A Resolution Must Answer (QARMA)
● Rules of Procedure

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 LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Delegates, we stand at the precipice of a new era in nuclear technology. The 21st century has
sparked innovation that promises to reshape our energy paradigm, with small modular
reactors (SMRs) and conventional nuclear reactors at the forefront of this revolution. Yet, as
with all great leaps forward, we must tread with caution; the power we seek to harness is a
double-edged sword, offering both the assurance of sustainability and the shadow of
unforeseen consequences.

We have crafted a background guide, which can be a starting point for your research. We
advise you to go through this guide thoroughly, but note that this is merely the beginning.
We hope that everyone will come to the committee well prepared with their own research
about the agenda and possible solutions, confidently affirming their country’s stances and
forging relations with fellow delegates to foster diplomacy.

As seasoned debaters in the Bangalore MUN circuit, we have seen a vast range of delegating
styles. This is your chance to be the voice of your country - your actions can make or break
your portfolio’s reputation. From delegates that defend their nation’s contentious positions
while maintaining a nasty smirk on their faces, to those who skilfully cite articles and ICJ
rulings to dismantle their opponent’s arguments, it goes to show how Model UN is a crucible
of learning and global insight.

International law is a weapon - it’s up to you to wield it. We hope to see you there.

Regards,
The IAEA Executive Board
Anita Bhat ( [email protected] )
Ayaan Sachdeva ( [email protected] )
Sreesaketh ( [email protected] )

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 Key Terms

(from the IAEA Nuclear Safety and Security Glossary)

Nuclear Facility - An authorized facility, and this aspect of authorization is made explicit
in other broadly similar definitions established in Nuclear Security Series publications,
i.e. a nuclear facility is “A facility (including associated buildings and equipment) in
which nuclear material is produced, processed, used, handled, stored or disposed of and
for which an authorization or license is required”.

Nuclear Fission - is a reaction where the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more
smaller nuclei, while releasing energy.

Nuclear Fusion - is the process by which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a single
heavier one while releasing massive amounts of energy; it does not emit carbon dioxide or
other greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere: this could lead to it being a long-term
source of low-carbon electricity for the future.

Nuclear Fuel Cycle - All operations associated with the production of nuclear energy.
Operations in the nuclear fuel cycle associated with the production of nuclear energy
include the following:

Mining and processing of uranium ores or thorium ores;

Enrichment of uranium;
Manufacture of nuclear fuel;
Operation of nuclear reactors (including research reactors);
Reprocessing of spent fuel;
All waste management activities (including decommissioning) relating to operations
associated with the production of nuclear energy;
Any related research and development activities.

INES - The International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale is a scale developed for
use by States for the purpose of communicating with the public on the safety significance
of events associated with sources of radiation.

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Small Modular Reactors - SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power
capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, which is about one-third of the generating capacity
of traditional nuclear power reactors. It can produce a large amount of low-carbon
electricity:

Small– physically a fraction of the size of a conventional nuclear power reactor. (A

traditional reactor can produce up to 100MW(e) per unit, for comparison)
Modular– making it possible for systems and components to be factory-assembled
and transported as a unit to a location for installation

Nuclear Safety - Within the IAEA’s Major Programme on Nuclear Safety and Security,
‘protection and safety’ refers to safeguarding people and the environment from radiation
hazards, as well as ensuring the safety of facilities and activities that pose radiation risks.
This term covers the safety of nuclear installations, radiation safety, the management of
radioactive waste, and the transport of radioactive materials. It specifically excludes any
safety aspects unrelated to radiation protection and nuclear safety. Stages in the lifetime
of a facility or activity at which a safety assessment is carried out and updated and the
results are used by the designers, the operating organization and the regulatory body
include:

Site evaluation for the facility or activity;

Development of the design;
Construction of the facility or implementation of the activity;
Commissioning of the facility or of the activity
Commencement of operation of the facility or conduct of the activity;
Normal operation of the facility or normal conduct of the activity;
Modification of the design or operation;
Periodic safety reviews;
Life extension of the facility beyond its original design life;
Changes in ownership or management of the facility;
Decommissioning of a facility;
Closure of a disposal facility for radioactive waste and the post-closure phase;
Remediation of a site and release from regulatory control;

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Nuclear Security - denotes the prevention and detection of, and response to, theft,
sabotage, unauthorized access, illegal transfer or other malicious acts involving nuclear
material, other radioactive substances or their associated facilities. ‘Nuclear security’ is
often abbreviated to ‘security’ in IAEA publications on nuclear security.

Nuclear WMDs - A nuclear weapon of mass destruction (WMD) is a nuclear weapon

that can kill or significantly harm many people or cause great damage to artificial
structures (e.g., buildings), natural structures (e.g., mountains), or the biosphere; a class
of weaponry that has the potential to:

Produce in a single moment an enormous destructive effect capable to kill millions of

civilians, jeopardize the natural environment, and fundamentally alter the lives of
future generations through their catastrophic effects;
Cause death or serious injury of people through toxic or poisonous chemicals;
Disseminate disease-causing organisms or toxins to harm or kill humans, animals or
plants;
Deliver nuclear explosive devices, chemical, biological or toxin agents to use them for
hostile purposes or in armed conflict.

Radioactive Waste Management - Radioactive waste management involves the handling,

treatment, and disposal of waste materials that emit radiation, covering the entire
lifecycle from generation to disposal to protect human health and the environment.
According to the IAEA, it includes waste collection, characterization, segregation,
conditioning, transportation, storage, and disposal, guided by comprehensive safety
standards. A key challenge is the variability in regulatory practices across countries,
particularly concerning materials with low concentrations of radionuclides.

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 Introduction to the IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency or the IAEA, is an intergovernmental organization

that seeks to promote the peaceful usage of nuclear energy. With around 178 member states,
it is the foremost organization on Atomic Energy, falling under the jurisdiction of the United
Nations.

Originally formed on 29th July, 1957, the IAEA has slated itself to have 3 main pillars of
their mission:

Promoting the peaceful usage of nuclear energy by Member States.

Implementing safeguards to verify that Nuclear Energy is not used for military purposes.
Promoting high standards for Nuclear Safety.

The ideals and beliefs of the IAEA are regulated using The Statue of the IAEA, a document
with 23 Articles, each outlining a purpose or goal of the IAEA. Members of the IAEA are
determined by their signing to the statue, which can only take place within 90 days after their
official admittance to the United Nations. Nations may also withdraw their membership,
such as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The IAEA also contains a singular
observer state, namely, the State of Palestine.

The IAEA reports both to the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council,
along with functioning under the United Nations umbrella, it serves as an autonomous
organization, which can make legislation and decisions by itself. These decisions are made by
two main bodies:

The General Conference - A collection of all the member states and their representatives
to the IAEA in The Vienna International Centre, the headquarters of the IAEA.
The Board of Governors - A board including 35 member states of the IAEA and their
representatives. Each of these members contain a single vote, and these members are
selected by the General Conference with regional distribution.

The IAEA serves also as a purely suggestive body, in the sense that it cannot legally bind the
members of the organization into actions via its resolutions and decisions made. It serves
purely as a platform for suggestions to the members of the organizations in their operations
in relation to the IAEA’s agendas and mandate.

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Article 2 of its Statute states that the Agency aims to “accelerate and enlarge the contribution
of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world” and thus, the
primary role of the IAEA is to ensure that atomic energy is used for safe, secure, and peaceful
purposes.

The mandate is further defined by the provisions of the NPT, which establishes binding
international law concerning non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, the disarmament of
existing nuclear weapons systems, and the advancement of peaceful nuclear technology,
thereby outlining the tasks and responsibilities of the IAEA.

Article 3 of its Statute states that it will consist of the assistance and surveillance of the
peaceful use of atomic energy accomplished through the provision of research and technical
assistance for the practical application and development of atomic energy. To that end, the
IAEA makes provisions about the standards for materials, services, equipment, and facilities
to conduct research and produce atomic power.

Article 7 of its Statute states that under its safeguard provisions, the IAEA has the power to
examine facilities and equipment, which includes the right to send inspectors to Member
State facilities and to request progress reports from those states. Furthermore, the IAEA has
the power to require information on health and safety standards, and on the production and
recovery of fissionable materials.

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 Introduction to the Agenda

(Regulating Innovations in Nuclear Technology and Small Modular Reactors)

As the advancements of nuclear technology become an increasingly common occurrence in

modern day, the requirement of debate on the same grows as well. This agenda makes a point
to focus on the following main points:

Regulations in Nuclear Technology: This aims to aid in managing the proliferation of

nuclear weaponry and the mismanagement of nuclear technology in energy or weaponry
capacity. Specific to the IAEA committee, it focuses on platformic discussion and resolution
in order to promote the management of nuclear technology in order to ensure the usage of
these technologies for the benefit of humanity as a whole.

Small Modular Reactors - Considering the increased prominence of Small Modular Reactors
(SMRs), this agenda hopes to address the concerns in relation to the proliferation and
environmental damages of the same, whilst also commending the possible benefits and aims
to portray a clear beneficial pathway in the usage of these Small Modular Reactors for the
rest of the world. Along with that, these SMRs provide various sources for debate on the
basis of their benefits and the damages they can cause, necessitating the requirement of an
ideal middle ground between parties to ensure the guarantee of benefiting humanity as a
whole.

Nuclear Technology - The changing of nuclear technology and the uses of the same in recent
years has been a topic of multiple engaging perspectives and arguments and cases of use or
misuse. The topic of Nuclear Technology itself encompasses a very broad area, from
weaponization, energy usage, energy misuse, environmental harm or benefits, so on and so
forth, allowing for vast topics of debate, perspectives, solutions and ideally, at the end of
discussion on this agenda, a conducive solution in order to move forward in the Era of the
Atom.

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 International Law

CONVENTIONS AND TREATIES:

Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS)

The CNS, which establishes safety guidelines for the operation of land-based civil
nuclear power facilities, is one of the important instruments supervised by the IAEA.
However, military use of nuclear reactors is not covered by the CNS. The CNS aims
to offer a legally enforceable tool that actively pursues the enhancement and
unification of safety standards.

Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of
Radioactive Waste Management
It is crucial to note that not all radioactive waste covered by this convention comes
from nuclear power plants. There are several uses for radioactive waste, such as
agricultural applications and medicinal studies. The Joint Convention has brought
national approaches to safe operating procedures, spent fuel waste management, and
nuclear reactor construction and design into harmony. Additionally, it contains
safety clauses pertaining to operator accountability systems, emergency response,
and decommissioning.

Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and its

Amendment
Regarding the physical protection of nuclear material, the CPPNM sets forth
procedures for the prosecution, identification, and sentencing of radioactive material
violations. The convention was greatly strengthened by the 2005 amendment.

Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage

A legal framework for civil liability regarding nuclear damage is established by this
convention. While taking into account the potential dangers associated with
producing nuclear energy, it seeks to guarantee sufficient compensation for damages
caused by nuclear incidents.

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 The IAEA Safeguards Agreements
This instrument is highly relevant to this agenda. It establishes the framework for
verifying that nuclear materials and facilities are used only for peaceful purposes. As
new reactor designs and technologies emerge, the safeguards system will need to
adapt to effectively monitor and verify their operation while enabling beneficial
innovations. This instrument is the basis for negotiating safeguards agreements
between the IAEA and non-nuclear weapon States party to the Treaty on the Non-
Proliferation of nuclear weapons.

(Note: The Additional Protocols to the IAEA Safeguards Agreements can also be used for reference when
researching into International Law/Legalities)

Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

The NPT seeks to accomplish nuclear disarmament, encourage collaboration in the
peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Its
membership is almost universal, coming into effect in 1970. Articles III and IV of the
NPT are pertinent for delegates to note.

UN RESOLUTION:

UNSC Resolution 1540 (Regarding Non-Proliferation of WMDs)

UNSC Resolution 2310 (Calling for Ratification of the CTBT)

INTERGOVERNMENTAL GROUPS:

World Association on Nuclear Operators (WANO)

African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training
related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA)
Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to
Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (RCA)
Regional Cooperation Agreement for the Promotion of Nuclear Science and Technology
in Latin America and the Caribbean (ARCAL)
Cooperative Agreement for Arab States in Asia for Research, Development and Training
related to Nuclear Science and Technology (ARASIA)

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ADDITIONAL INSTRUMENTS:

IAEA Statute
Paris Convention on Third Party Liability in the Field of Nuclear Energy
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)

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 Impact

THE IAEA:

Regarding the safeguard agreements that are in effect with a state, there are monitoring
mechanisms that have been established:

Enhancing the inspection capability of the IAEA by making it easier for the Agency to
confirm that nuclear material that has been declared has not been diverted, and
conducting inspections that could be routine, proactive or Ad Hoc.
Verifying state reporting of declared nuclear material and operations by prioritizing
containment and accounting; most sites have Agency-installed cameras and impermeable
seals.

CHERNOBYL DISASTER:

The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident occurred on April 26, 1986, in Pripyat,
Ukraine, during a safety test simulating a power outage. The resulting explosion and fire
released large quantities of radioactive material into the environment. There were two initial
fatalities, however, 28 firefighters and emergency workers died within three months due to
acute radiation sickness. A 30-kilometer "exclusion zone" was established around the plant,
which remains largely uninhabitable due to severe environmental damage, as the accident
contaminated approximately 150,000 square kilometers across nations like Belarus, Russia,
and Ukraine, with radioactive material detected up to 500 kilometers north of the site.

The Chernobyl incident profoundly influenced global nuclear policy, prompting regulatory
changes and safety reforms worldwide. The disaster led to significant long-term health issues,
including increased incidence of thyroid cancer, particularly in children, and other radiation-
related illnesses. The socioeconomic impact was substantial, involving the evacuation and
resettlement of tens of thousands of people and considerable economic costs for containment,
cleanup, and healthcare. The accident exposed critical flaws in the RBMK reactor design and
deficiencies in safety protocols and operator training. Following the disaster, Chernobyl Unit
2 was shut down after a fire in 1991, Unit 1 operated until 1996, and Unit 3 remained
operational until the entire power station was decommissioned in 2000.

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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) implemented more stringent safety
standards, and the Convention on Nuclear Safety was established in 1994 to improve nuclear
safety through international cooperation. Public perception of nuclear energy was
significantly affected, leading to increased opposition and stricter regulations in many
countries. Some nations, like Germany, decided to phase out nuclear power, while others
invested heavily in improving reactor safety and emergency preparedness.

DISPOSAL OF NUCLEAR WASTE:

The storage of nuclear waste globally employs various suitable methods, but disposal
remains a complex issue. Three key aspects of deposition are crucial: isolating the waste from
the biosphere, containing it until radioactivity decays, and delaying radionuclide migration to
the biosphere. The Agency, in its 2011 Safety Standards for Disposal of Radioactive Waste,
outlines six disposal types based on the nature of the waste. These primarily include:

Specific landfill disposal

Near-surface disposal
Disposal in caverns, vaults, or silos (between tens and hundreds of meters underground)
Geological disposal
Borehole disposal

A critical requirement for all disposal methods is that the waste containment should not
require institutional control after facility closure. While low-level waste (LLW) and
intermediate-level waste (ILW) can be managed through landfill or near-surface disposal,
high-level waste (HLW) presents greater challenges. HLW is highly radioactive and contains
numerous long-lived radionuclides, necessitating extended storage periods. To prevent HLW
from entering the biosphere or causing harm through radiation, it must be stored in locations
that are sufficiently deep underground. However, these locations must also be stable enough
to prevent damage to the containers holding the radioactive material. This balance between
depth and stability is crucial for effective long-term storage of HLW.

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When considering the disposal of nuclear waste, environmental risks are a critical factor. The
extremely long half-lives of radioactive materials pose a significant challenge, as they remain
hazardous for thousands of years. Even when sealed in containers and stored in geological
repositories designed to be impervious to water, there are concerns that over such extended
periods, radioactive substances might eventually contaminate water sources. The integrity of
waste containers is imperative to maintain. A breach could lead to groundwater pollution,
potentially the most dangerous outcome of improper storage. Such contamination could
rapidly spread radioactive materials not only in the immediate vicinity but also into rivers
and oceans as the pollutants enter the water cycle.

STORAGE OF NUCLEAR WASTE:

Radioactive waste storage is primarily utilized in two scenarios.

The first involves radionuclides with relatively brief half-lives, typically under 100 days.
This waste can eventually be cleared from regulatory control and disposed of as non-
radioactive material.
The second scenario concerns highly radioactive waste, such as High-Level Waste
(HLW) or Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF). Here, the primary objectives are to prevent
radioactive material or radiation from entering the biosphere and to ensure adequate
cooling, as decay-generated heat could compromise container integrity.
Immediate disposal of such highly radioactive waste is often unfeasible, as disposal
facilities may lack sufficient cooling capabilities. For instance, SNF requires
underwater storage for 9-12 months before dry storage becomes viable.
Storage and disposal facilities must meet stringent criteria.

Passive cooling systems, like large unpumped water tanks, are preferable. When active
cooling is necessary, redundant systems (e.g., backup pumps) are crucial to mitigate potential
failures. The design of these facilities prioritizes long-term safety and stability, avoiding
reliance on active systems that could fail over time. This approach ensures the secure
containment of radioactive materials throughout their hazardous lifetime, protecting both
human health and the environment

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TRANSPORT OF NUCLEAR WASTE:

The management of radioactive waste often necessitates transportation to specialized

facilities. Centralizing waste handling in larger, more efficient facilities is preferable to
operating numerous smaller ones. To ensure safety during transport, the IAEA has
established comprehensive safety standards that all Member States must adhere to.

The primary concern in handling nuclear waste is limiting radiation exposure to individuals
in proximity to the material, keeping doses below prescribed thresholds. The IAEA has
developed a classification system for packages containing radioactive material, with
categories based on the type and quantity of radioactive content. These classifications dictate
specific safety requirements.

Transport containers for radioactive materials vary significantly in size, ranging from 70-
centimeter diameter cylinders to truck-sized units. To meet international standards, these
containers must guarantee radioactive security and containment under all potential accident
scenarios. This includes withstanding conditions such as fire, impact, moisture exposure,
pressure changes, extreme heat, and severe cold.

This robust approach to transportation ensures that radioactive waste can be safely moved
between facilities, minimizing risks to both human health and the environment. The stringent
regulations reflect the critical importance of maintaining control over these hazardous
materials throughout their journey from point of origin to final disposal or treatment
location.

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Questions A Resolution Must Answer (QARMA)

How should the IAEA enhance international cooperation to establish comprehensive and
unified safety standards for the development, deployment, and decommissioning of small
modular reactors (SMRs) across diverse regulatory environments?

What specific measures can the IAEA implement to minimize the environmental impact
of SMRs, particularly regarding waste management and potential radiation leaks, while
ensuring their environmental sustainability?

What strategies can the IAEA employ to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons
technology through the misuse of SMRs and other advanced nuclear technologies,
ensuring that these technologies are used solely for peaceful purposes?

How can the IAEA promote the economic viability and equitable access to SMRs,
especially for developing countries, while facilitating technological transfer and capacity-
building among Member States?

What initiatives can the IAEA undertake to improve public perception and acceptance of
nuclear energy, with a focus on the introduction of SMRs, and how can the concerns of
communities near potential SMR sites be addressed to build trust and support?

What protocols should the IAEA establish for emergency preparedness and response
specifically tailored for SMRs, and how can the Agency ensure that all Member States
have the necessary resources and training to effectively respond to nuclear emergencies?

What long-term strategies should the IAEA adopt to ensure the sustainability of nuclear
technology, considering the entire lifecycle of nuclear facilities from construction to
decommissioning?

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 Rules of Procedure

Rules of procedure refer to the formal conduct delegates are expected to maintain during the
conference. It is essential to adhere to the rules and maintain decorum for the smooth flow of
the committee. For this conference, we will be adhering to the UNA-USA format of rules of
procedure.

BEGIN FORMAL SESSION:

The delegate of “your allotted country” puts forward a motion to begin the formal session.

SETTING THE AGENDA:

The delegate of “your allotted country” puts forward a motion to set the agenda as “Agenda
of the committee”.

ROLL CALL:

The delegate of “your allotted country” raises a motion to begin a roll call. When your
allotted country is called upon during the roll call, you have two options either say “present
and voting” or simply say “present”.

(If a delegate says “present and voting”, they cannot abstain from voting on the resolution.)

SUBSTANTIVE CHIT FORMAT:

Substantive chits are written as follows:

To: The Executive Board (may be abbreviated as EB)

From Delegate of: (your allocated country)
MOD Topic: (x)

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UNMODERATED CAUCUS:

This motion is proposed when delegates wish to discuss the committee's status among
themselves, further evaluating their next actions, and to form blocs and alliances.

The delegate of “your allotted country” raises a motion to suspend formal debate and move
into an unmoderated Caucus for a time period of “x” minutes.

POINTS:

Point of Parliamentary Enquiry - This point is raised by a delegate to clarify anything

regarding the rules of procedure or to know the status of the committee (For example: to
know which delegate is speaking next/ if the EB is accepting more speakers).
The delegate of “your allocated country” raises a point of a parliamentary inquiry.
Point of Personal Privilege - This point is raised by a delegate to address a personal issue.
(For example: to ask another delegate to repeat a point they made in their speech/to be
excused from the committee)
The delegate of “your allocated country” raises a point of personal privilege.
Point of Order - This point can be raised by a delegate to point out logical or factual
inaccuracies in the speeches of other delegates.
The delegate of “your allocated country” raises a point of order, Factual inaccuracy/
Logical Fallacy (either one)
Point of Information - This is raised when a delegate wants to ask questions about
another delegate's speech.
The delegate of “your allocated country” raises a point of information.
If you ask a question and are still not satisfied with the answer, you can raise a
follow-up question right after the delegate answers, with permission from the
Executive Board. (The delegate of “your allocated country” would like to Plead to a
Follow-Up)
If a delegate wants to ask a question via chit, you can use this format:
POINT OF INFORMATION
TO: Delegate of “country you want to question”
VIA: Executive Board
FROM: Delegate of “your allotted country”
(Body)

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WORKING PAPER:

A working paper is the preliminary draft of solutions that the committee comes up with, and
is usually turned in and presented by the blocs on the second day. They serve as a basis for
delegates to see which blocs have stances that align with theirs and to subsequently merge for
drafting the final resolution.

Working papers have no strict format. That is, operative and preambulatory clauses are not
required, and the paper can be presented in a series of rough points as well.

Sponsors are delegates who have contributed the most towards writing the working paper.
For presentation and Q&A, any delegate from the bloc can come up to present the paper and
answer relevant questions.

DRAFT RESOLUTION:

A draft resolution or resolution, contains all the solutions that committee wants to introduce
in the form of a formal document that will be discussed and put to vote in front of the
committee. If passed, this acts as a set of suggestions and recommendations to those who
agree with it on the issue at hand.

Sponsors are those who have majorly written the resolution, whose countries must agree with
every clause and amendment. The number of sponsors is usually kept between 2 and 4, this
will be informed to the committee on the day of the conference.

Signatories are those who would like to see the resolution discussed in front of the
committee. A signatory does not necessarily agree with the resolution, just wants to see it be
debated. A delegate can be a signatory to more than one resolution. Resolutions must have at
least 1/3rd of the committee's strength as signatories to be able to present them to the
committee.

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An amendment to a resolution is in the form of an edit, addition, or deletion to the resolution
that has been presented to the committee. This is usually sent to the chairs after the
resolution has been discussed and through a motion, the committee is in an amendment
session. If more than 1/3rd the number of a resolution's total number of operative clauses are
accepted as amendments, the resolution will be scrapped. When an amendment is presented
to the chairs, the sponsors of the resolution will be given the option to either accept it as
friendly or unfriendly. A friendly amendment is automatically accepted, and the content that
was aimed to be changed, added or deleted is done as such. An unfriendly amendment means
that the committee will vote, to decide whether or not the change shall be made. This is done
through a simple majority vote.
(To discuss the Resolution) The delegate of “your allotted country” would like to raise a
motion to discuss (RESOLUTION NAME)
(Amendments) The delegate of “your allotted country” would like to raise a motion to
move into the amendment session for (RESOLUTION NAME).
(To vote on the Resolution) The delegate of “your allotted country” would like to raise a
motion to table (RESOLUTION NAME) for the voting procedure.

RESOLUTION FORMAT:

(Name of Resolution)
Sponsors:
Signatories:
Agenda: XYZ
Committee name,
(Preambulatory Clauses)
Every preambulatory clause ends with a comma (,)
(Operative clauses)
Every Operative clause ends with a semicolon (;)
Every sub-clause to a resolution should end with a comma (,) till and unless it is the last
sub-clause to the main clause, it shall end with a semicolon (;)
Every main clause before starting with a sub-clause should have a colon (:)
Full stop at the end of the resolution (Note: This marks the end of the resolution - if a
full-stop is seen anywhere before the end, the discussion of the resolution will cease at the
corresponding clause.)

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VOTING:

Voting is of 2 types, procedural and substantive. Procedural voting requires a simple

majority, which is set at 50%+1 of committee strength. For example, if a committee has 100
people, the simple majority is set at 51 votes. Procedural Voting is used in cases such as
voting upon motions. Substantive voting requires a 2/3rds majority. This is primarily used in
voting upon a resolution. For example, if a committee has 100 members, the majority will be
set at 67 votes.

PRESS CONFERENCE:

The questions may range from matters of foreign policy, the agenda itself or controversial
actions by the respective nations of the delegates, with the intended purpose being to test the
depth of the research and knowledge of the delegates.

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