General Assembly Delegate Guide

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  Introduction:

The General Assembly (GA) is the largest forum. It occupies a central position as the chief deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the United Nations. Comprising all 193 members of the United Nations, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the UN Charter. The GA is divided into six committees:

· First Committee on Disarmament and International Security 

· Second Committee on Economic and Financial 

· Third Committee on Social, Humanitarian and Cultural

· Fourth Committee on Special Political and Decolonization

· Fifth Committee on Administration and Budgetary 

· Sixth Committee on Legal

Role of Delegate: 

A delegate represents a country, a UN organization, or an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) in a forum. As a delegate, you participate as a representative of the country or organization you have been assigned to. Before the conference, 

the delegate’s tasks are:

1. To research the country or organization 

2. To research the issues of your forum

3. To write an opening speech

4. To write a draft resolution 

During the conference, the delegates’ tasks are: 

1. To lobby and merge their resolution with allied countries

2. To debate on the resolutions

Role of Chairing Panel:

The President and other members of the panel call on speakers, control the flow of debate, and ensure that procedural rules are followed.

The chairing panel will assign points to delegates based on their participation. And more importantly, the panel is there to help all delegates

Rules and Regulations:

I. General Conduct

1. Respect and Diplomacy:
       Delegates must maintain diplomatic language and respectful behavior at all      times. Personal attacks, offensive remarks, or disrespect toward chairs or      delegates are strictly prohibited.
2. Representation:
       Each delegate represents one country and must act according to that      country’s official policies and interests.
3. Dress Code:
       Formal or business attire is required during all committee sessions.
4. Electronic      Devices:
       Devices may be used for research or note-taking only. Messaging or using      social media during the session is not permitted.

II. Debate Procedure

1. Roll Call:
       At the start of each session, the chair conducts a roll call. Delegates      respond “Present” or “Present and Voting.”
   • Present and       Voting      means the delegate must vote yes or no—no abstentions.

1. Agenda      Setting:
       The committee votes to set the topic of debate from the proposed agenda.
2. Speakers’      List:
   • The main       form of debate.
   • Delegates       are added to the list when they raise their placards and are recognized       by the chair.
   • Speeches       must address the topic under discussion.

1. Yielding:
       After finishing a speech, delegates may:
   • Yield to       questions      (if time allows)
   • Yield to       another delegate
   • Yield to       the chair      (remaining time is forfeited)
   • 
     

Writing a Resolution: 

A resolution is initially a formal statement of a proposal to a UN Council, Committee, or Commission. It consists of one long but coherent sentence divided into clauses and sub-clauses. A resolution should not represent the position of one country but rather of several UN member states.

The language of a UN resolution is very formal, diplomatic, and somewhat legalistic. To help you, please read the following four questions

1) What is the Preamble?

The preamble is the introduction of the resolution. It contains the background and the reasoning behind the issue you have chosen.

2) How to Write the Perambulatory Clauses

You must begin the perambulatory clauses with a present or past participle or an adjective, followed by a fact or reason based on your stance and the topic.

  3) What are the Operative Clauses?

The operative clauses contain the policy statements of the body making the resolution.
They should be clear and unambiguous, presenting in order of importance what the UN should do or what attitude it should adopt.

4) How to Write the Operative Clauses

This is the most challenging part. You must ensure that your proposals are workable and that they reflect existing policies of the country or agency you represent.

You may:

· Encourage and/or invite countries to sign or ratify a convention or declaration.

· Propose, welcome, or deplore new situations.

· Support, congratulate, or refuse new proposals.

· Confirm or regret what already exists.

You must begin the operative clauses with verbs in the third person singular of the Present Tense.

Debate Procedure:

During debate, Points and Motions may not interrupt a speaker, except for a Point of Personal Privilege referring to audibility.
Delegates must first wait for the Chair to recognize their Point before speaking.

Points:

a. Point of Personal Privilege

i. Refers to the comfort and well-being of a delegate.
ii. May only interrupt a speaker if it concerns audibility.
iii. May not refer to the content of a speech.
iv. Is not debatable.
v. Does not require a second.

b. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry

i. Refers to a question to the Chair regarding the Rules of Procedure.
ii. May not interrupt a speaker.

c. Point of Information to the Speaker

i. A question directed to the delegate holding the floor, provided they have indicated willingness to accept Points of Information.
ii. The delegate asking the question may only speak when recognized by the Chair.
iii. Must be formulated as a question

d. Point of Information to the Chair

i. A question directed to the Chair.
ii. May not interrupt a speaker.
iii. Refers to issues not covered under a Point of Parliamentary Inquiry, Point of Order, or Point of Personal Privilege.
iv. The Chair should answer clearly and promptly before resuming debate.

e. Point of Order

i. Used when a delegate wishes to draw the Chair’s attention to a procedural error or violation made by the Chair, a speaker, or another delegate.
  Example: Incorrect debate order or improper time management.
ii. May not interrupt a speaker.
iii. Is not debatable.
iv. Must refer to a recent incident; otherwise, it is considered out of order.

Motions

a. Motion to Approach the Chair

Used when a delegate wishes to speak privately with the Chair.

b. Motion to Move to the Previous Question

i. Calls for closure of debate and the commencement of voting procedures on the item under discussion.
ii. The Chair may overrule the motion if debate time still needs to be filled.

c. Motion to Extend Debate Time

i. At the Chair’s discretion; not debatable.
ii. Requires a second if proposed by a delegate.
iii. Adopted with a simple majority or a Chair’s ruling.

d. Motion to Follow Up

i. Used when a delegate wishes the speaker to clarify or elaborate on an answer given to their previous ii. Point of Information.
iii. This motion must not be used to ask a new question.
iv. The Chair should object if the motion is used incorrectly.

e. Motion to Divide the House

Used when the result of a vote is inconclusive.
In this case, the house votes again, but abstentions are not permitted.

f. Right to Reply

i. A request to respond to an attack or offense in a speech (only if directed at your delegation).

Yielding the Floor

· Yielding occurs when a speaker gives up their remaining speaking time.

· The floor may be yielded consecutively only once between delegations.

· Points of Information remain in order even after the floor has been yielded to another delegation.

Amendments:

Amendments are permitted in the General Assembly when delegates wish to modify a resolution that is under debate. They allow the house to improve, clarify, or adjust specific clauses to reach broader agreement.

Types of Amendments

1. Friendly Amendment

o Proposed to improve on clause or add clause.

o Once confirmed by the Chair, it is automatically adopted without debate or a vote.

2. Unfriendly Amendment

o Proposed by delegates to strike out or change a clause completely.

o Must be submitted to the Chairs in writing and declared in order before debate.

o Is debated and voted on before being added to the resolution.

Rules for Amendments

· Amendments must refer to specific operative clauses and clearly state whether they seek to add, delete, or modify text.

· They must not contradict the topic or the purpose of the resolution.

· Once introduced, the debate will focus solely on the amendment.

· Time will be allocated for speeches in favor and speeches against, followed by a vote.

· If the amendment passes, it is immediately incorporated into the resolution.

Brief:

The rapid melting of Arctic sea ice due to climate change has opened new and potentially profitable shipping routes, most notably the Northern Sea Routealong Russia’s coast and the Northwest Passage through Canadian territory. These routes drastically reduce travel time between Asia and Europe, promising major economic benefits. However, they also heighten geopolitical tensions as states and corporations compete for control over resources, trade access, and influence in the Arctic region.

Russia has asserted territorial and administrative control over large portions of the Arctic, requiring permits and escorts for vessels along its claimed routes. Meanwhile, Chinahas declared itself a “near-Arctic state,” investing heavily in Arctic research and shipping initiatives as part of its Polar Silk Road. Western nations, including the United States, Canada, and members of the European Union, have raised concerns about military buildup, environmental degradation, and lack of inclusive governance.

The Arctic Council, the primary regional forum, has promoted cooperation and environmental protection, but it lacks binding authority over security and shipping rights. With growing competition and fragile ecosystems at risk, there is an urgent need for a multilateral agreement that balances sustainable development, environmental preservation, indigenous rights, and peaceful international cooperation.

Timeline:

· 2007: Russia plants a titanium flag on the Arctic seabed beneath the North Pole, marking a symbolic claim over the region.

· 2011: Arctic states sign the Arctic Search and Rescue Agreement, the first legally binding Arctic Council accord.

· 2013: China gains observer status in the Arctic Council, expanding global interest in Arctic affairs.

· 2018: Russia begins large-scale infrastructure projects along the Northern Sea Route; climate data shows record-low sea ice coverage.

· 2022: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine causes major diplomatic fallout, leading Arctic Council members to suspend cooperation with Russia.

· 2023–2025: Increasing calls for a comprehensive UN-led framework to regulate Arctic navigation, protect indigenous populations, and prevent militarization.

Brief:

The digital age has transformed communication, governance, and security—but it has also enabled mass digital surveillance on an unprecedented scale. Governments and corporations can now monitor individuals through data collection, facial recognition, location tracking, and artificial intelligence systems. While surveillance is often justified in the name of national securityor public safety, it raises profound human rights concerns, especially regarding privacy, freedom of expression, and protection from arbitrary interference.

Revelations of widespread surveillance programs—both governmental and corporate—have sparked global debate about data ownership, consent, and the limits of state power. Authoritarian regimes have used surveillance to suppress dissent, while even democratic governments face criticism for lack of transparency and weak oversight mechanisms.

The UN has recognized privacy as a fundamental right in the digital age through resolutions and reports by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)and the Human Rights Council. However, existing frameworks are fragmented and non-binding. As technology evolves faster than legislation, there is an urgent need for international safeguards that ensure surveillance practices comply with human rights law while maintaining public safety and trust.

Timeline:

· 2013: Edward Snowden exposes extensive surveillance programs by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) and allied intelligence networks.

· 2015: The UN General Assembly passes Resolution 68/167 affirming “the right to privacy in the digital age.”

· 2018: The European Union enacts the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), establishing global standards for data protection and privacy.

· 2020: COVID-19 pandemic accelerates government use of digital tracking and facial recognition, raising new ethical concerns.

· 2022: Reports emerge of the misuse of Pegasus spywareand similar tools to monitor journalists, activists, and politicians.

· 2023–2025: Growing international consensus around establishing a UN treaty or global framework to regulate digital surveillance technologies and protect personal freedoms.