Diplomatic Debate in UN

1. Diplomatic Debate in the UN
Preparatory Meeting of the International UN Simulation February 26, 2016
Dace Patmalniece, MFA

2. Agenda
 The list of Agenda Items is agreed by the General
Assembly at the beginning of subsequent Session.
 Currently it is 70th Session.
 All 193 Member States of the UN are represented in the
General Assembly, making it the only UN body with
universal representation.
 Each Committee deals with respective issues/ Agenda
Items.
 Everything that concerns budget “goes” to 5th Committee
at the end of each session.

3. Procedure
 There is a slight difference in procedural order in every
UN Committee.
 The First Committee sessions are structured into three
distinctive stages:
• General debate
• Thematic discussions
• Action on drafts
 The Fifth Committee has Main Session, First and Second
Resumed Sessions.
 In each session there are formal and informal meetings
when the actual discussions take place.

4. Statements
 Statements in formal meetings and in informal
meetings
 National statements
 Group statements
 Timing
 List of Speakers

5. Regional Groups
 Regional Groups/Blocks in UN:
• NAM / G77 and China
• GRULAC
• CANZ
• EU
 Coordination within the groups.
 EU coordination, finalization of the position.

6. Resolutions
 Resolutions can be drafted by one Member State
(1C) and can be drafted by all Member States (5C)
 Member States work on draft text during the informal
meetings
 Role of facilitators and Consultations on resolutions
 Lobbying (individual/national, within the groups)
 Sponsors and Co-sponsors

7. Resolutions

8. Resolutions

9. Resolutions

10. Resolutions

11. Resolutions

12. Adoption of resolutions
 Usually resolutions are adopted during the formal
meetings
 Gavelling of resolution/paragraphs
 First resolutions are adopted within the Committee
 Then resolutions are considered in the General
Assembly Plenary
 All resolutions are published and can be found online

13. Useful links
 UN Journal
http://www.un.org/en/documents/journal.asp
 GA Main Committees
http://www.un.org/en/ga/maincommittees/index.shtml
 GA Documents:
http://www.un.org/en/ga/documents/index.shtml
 UN WEB TV
http://webtv.un.org/
 Meeting Coverage
http://www.un.org/press/en

14. Thank you!