Working Paper & Resolution Guide

Instructions for Preparing Working Papers and Draft Resolutions

Working Papers

The final results of discussion, writing and negotiation are working papers that can become draft 

resolutions—written suggestions for addressing a specific problem or issue. Working Papers are 

expected to follow the specific format discussed below, including perambulatory and operative 

clauses. Once approved by the Dias, a working paper will be announced as a Draft Resolution.

Draft Resolutions

Draft resolutions are all resolutions that have not yet been voted on. Delegates write draft 

resolutions usually as a single country (or in conjunction with other countries). There are three 

main parts to a draft resolution: the heading, the preamble and the operative section. The heading 

shows the committee and topic along with the resolution number. It also lists the draft 

resolution’s sponsors and signatories (see below). Each draft resolution is one long sentence with 

sections separated by commas and semicolons. The subject of the sentence is the body making the 

statement (e.g. the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, or Security Council). The 

preamble and operative sections then describe the current situation and actions that the committee 

will take.

Preambulatory Clauses

The preamble of a draft resolution states the reasons for which the committee is addressing the 

topic and highlights past international action on the issue. Each clause begins with a present 

participle (called a preambulatory phrase) and ends with a comma. Preambulatory clauses can include:

• Citations of past UN resolutions or treaties on the topic under discussion;

• Mentions of statements made by the Secretary-General or a relevant UN body or agency;

• Recognition of the efforts of regional or nongovernmental organizations in dealing with the issue; and

• General statements on the topic, its significance and its impact.

Some Preambulatory Phrases:

• Affirming Deeply Concerned Fulfilling

• Alarmed By Deeply Conscious Fully Alarmed

• Approving Deeply Convinced Fully Aware

• Aware of Deeply Disturbed Fully Believing

• Bearing in Mind Deeply Regretting Fully Deploring

• Confident Desiring Further Recalling

• Contemplating Emphasizing Guided by

• Convinced Expecting Having Adopted

• Declaring Expressing its Satisfaction

• Having Considered Having Considered Further

• Having Devoted Attention Having Examined

• Having Heard Having Received Having Studied

• Keeping in Mind Noting with Regret Noting further

• Noting with Satisfaction Noting with Deep Concern

• Noting with Approval Taking into Account

• Observing Reaffirming Realizing

• Recalling Recognizing Referring

• Seeking Taking into Consideration

• Taking Note Viewing with Appreciation Welcoming

Operative Clauses

Operative clauses identify the actions or recommendations made in a resolution. Each operative clause begins with a verb (called an operative phrase) and ends with a semicolon. Operative clauses should be organized in a logical progression, with each containing a single idea or proposal, and are always numbered. If a clause requires further explanation, bulleted lists set off by letters or roman numerals can also be used. After the last operative clause, the resolution ends in a period.

Some Operative Clauses: 

• Accepts Affirms Approves Authorizes

• Calls Calls Upon Confirms

• Congratulates Considers Deplores

• Declares Accordingly Designates Draws the Attention

• Emphasizes Encourages Endorses

• Expresses its Appreciations Expresses its Hope

• Further Invites   Further Proclaims Further Reminds

• Further Recommends Further Requests

• Further Resolves   Has Resolved Notes

• Proclaims Reaffirms Recommends Regrets

• Reminds Requests Solemnly Affirms

• Strongly Condemns Supports Takes Note of

• Transmits Trusts

Working Paper Sample

Working Paper xx [Assigned by Dias]

United Nations General Assembly Plenary

Sponsors: United States, Austria and Italy [countries are only examples]

Signatories: Greece, Tajikistan, Japan, Canada, Mali, the Netherlands and Gabon Topic: 

“Strengthening UN coordination of humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies” [Topic is only an 

example]

The General Assembly,

Reminding all nations of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of 

Human Rights, which recognizes the inherent dignity, equality and inalienable rights of all global 

citizens, [use commas to separate preambulatory clauses]

Reaffirming its Resolution 33/1996 of 25 July 1996, which encourages Governments to work with UN 

bodies aimed at improving the coordination and effectiveness of humanitarian assistance,

Noting with satisfaction the past efforts of various relevant UN bodies and nongovernmental 

organizations,

Stressing the fact that the United Nations faces significant financial obstacles and is in need of 

reform, particularly in the humanitarian realm,

1. Encourages all relevant agencies of the United Nations to collaborate more closely with 

countries at the grassroots level to enhance the carrying out of relief efforts; [use semicolons to 

separate operative clauses]

2. Urges member states to comply with the goals of the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs to 

streamline efforts of humanitarian aid;

3. Requests that all nations develop rapid deployment forces to better enhance the coordination of 

relief efforts of humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies;

4. Calls for the development of a United Nations Trust Fund that encourages voluntary donations 

from the private transnational sector to aid in funding the implementation of rapid deployment 

forces;

5. Stresses the continuing need for impartial and objective information on the political, economic 

and social situations and events of all countries;

6. Calls upon states to respond quickly and generously to consolidated appeals for humanitarian 

assistance; and

7. Requests the expansion of preventive actions and assurance of post-conf    stance

through reconstruction and development. [end resolutions with a period]

Tips for Producing Working Papers/Draft Resolutions

• Be sure to follow the format for resolutions provided by the conference organizers. Each conference 

may have a slightly different format.

• Create a detailed resolution. For example, if your resolution calls for a new program, think about 

how it will be funded and what body will manage it.

• Try to cite facts whenever possible.

• Be realistic. Do not create objectives for your resolution that cannot be met. Make sure your body 

can take the action suggested. For example, the General Assembly can’t sanction another country – 

only the Security Council can do so.

• Try to find multiple sponsors. Your committee will be more likely to approve the resolutions if 

many delegates contribute ideas.

• Preambulatory clauses are historic justifications for action. Use them to cite past resolutions, 

precedents and statements about the purpose of action.

• Operative clauses are policies that the resolution is desi ned to create. Use them to

explain what the committee will do to address the issue.