GD MUN 2024

United Nations
Security Council
(UNSC)

BACKGROUND GUIDE
Table of Contents

1. Introduction to the Executive Board

2. Letter from the Executive Board
3. A Beginner’s guide to UN
3.1. What is the United Nations
3.2. Model United Nations
3.3. Valid Evidence
3.4. How to research
4. About The Committee
5. Procedural Guidelines
6. Marking Scheme
Introduction to the Executive Board

Aayaan Manhas, Committee Director

Aayaan Manhas, known for his expertise in geopolitics, economics, and politics,
serves as a mentor in international and Indian committees. Known for his bold
opinions, he contributes significantly to discussions, especially on Indian politics,
showcasing his commitment to guiding and inspiring others in conferences.

[email protected]
+91 97962 32355
@aayan.pvt
@mun.cipality

Sudaksh Raina, Co-Committee Director

Sudaksh is an 11th grade student boasting a speaking style of one part Machiavelli,
and one part Theodore Roosevelt. He has been a part of the majority of the circuit’s
conferences gaining awards and leaving behind a trail of fiery debates. With
tremendous temperament for the job and a penchant for crisis committees.
Sudaksh’s presence promises an engaging and informative simulation.

[email protected]
+91 7006549079
@sudakshyorkefr
@mun.cipality

Aditya Singh Thakur, Rapporteur

Aditya's immersion in Model United Nation has ignited a passion for global affairs,
mirroring the journeys of inspiring diplomats. He has actively participated in
conferences, tackling complex issues within committees that simulate real world
bodies like the UN, representing various countries in specialized agencies like UNSC
and UNCSW honed his research, communication, and problem-solving skills. Aditya's
MUN experience has equipped him for continued learning and contributions
alongside future Modal united nations conferences.

[email protected]
+91 9622122030
@adityasinghthakur_0
Letter from the Executive Board

Greetings Delegates,

We extend a warm welcome to all of you and congratulate you on

being a part of the United Nations Security Council committee
simulation at GDMUN ‘24.

This background guide serves as a nutshell and a gateway into the

committee, with a later much more elaborate study guide on the
way. This guide is to provide you with an overview of the
committee and its mandate; while the study guide will provide
information on the agenda.

As the committee is apart from other conventional UN

committees. There are certain things that the executive board may
expect from you. First, is a degree of high decision-making skills.
Secondly, we expect a level of diplomatic courtesy in even the
most destitute of situations and the gravest of crises :)

The Executive Board eagerly anticipates hearing your perspectives,

supported by robust arguments and incorporating novel
dimensions into the agenda.

While this guide delineates certain expectations outlined by the

Executive Board for this committee, we implore you not to
perceive them as burdensome constraints. They are inherent to
the learning process. With that being said, please do not hesitate
to reach out to any member of the Executive Board for further
assistance or clarifications. Wishing you the best of luck!

May the force be with you

A Beginner’s Guide to the UN

Question 1: What is the United Nations?

The United Nations is an international organization founded in

1945 to maintain international peace and security, developing
friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress,
better living standards and human rights by 51 countries.
The United Nations has 6 principal organs - General Assembly,
Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship
Council, International Court of Justice and the Secretariat.
 The UN has 4 main purposes:

● To keep peace throughout the world;

● To develop friendly relations among nations;
● To help nations work together to improve the lives of poor
people, to conquer hunger, disease and illiteracy, and to
encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms;
● To be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations to
achieve these goals

Question 2: What is Model United Nations?

Model United Nations is a simulation of the actual United nation

which is done to enhance knowledge about pressing International
issues. It is called Model United nation not mock United nation
because it does not work as an exact replica of the United Nations,
it is just an attempt to understand the working of the United
Nations by practicing some of its working mechanisms. Every
person who participates is given a country to represent and are
called Delegates of their respective committees. There are some
rules that we follow in MUNs to facilitate the debate called rules of
procedure. The procedure that is closest to what is followed in the
actual UN is the UNA-USA ROP(Rules of procedure). Since, it is not
a conventional committee we shall be making several
modifications to the ROPs
Question 3: What is considered to be valid evidence in
Model United Nations?

Evidence or proof that is acceptable from sources.

1. News Sources:
a. REUTERS – Any Reuters article which clearly makes mention of
the factor is in contradiction of the fact being stated by a delegate
in council.
http://www.reuters.com/

b. State-operated News Agencies – These reports can be used in

the support of or against the State that owns the News Agency.
These reports, if credible or substantial enough, can be used in
support of or against any Country as such but in that situation,
they can be denied by any other country in the council. Some
examples are:

I. RIA Novosti (Russia) http://en.rian.ru/

II. IRNA (Iran) http://www.irna.ir/ENIndex.htm
III. BBC (United Kingdom) http://www.bbc.co.uk/
IV. Xinhua News Agency and CCTV (P.R. China)
http://cctvnews.cntv.cn/

2. Government Reports:

These reports can be used in a similar way as the State Operated

News Agencies reports and can, in all circumstances, be denied by
another country.
Government Websites:

State Department of the United States of America:

http://www.state.gov/index.htm
Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation:
http://www.eng.mil.ru/en/index.htm

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of various nations:

India: http://www.mea.gov.in/
People’s Republic of China: http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/
France: http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/
Russian Federation: http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/main_eng

Permanent Representatives to the United Nations Reports:

http://www.un.org/en/members/ (Click on any country to get the
website of the Office of its Permanent Representative)

Multilateral Organizations:

NATO: http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/index.htm
ASEAN: http://www.aseansec.org/
OPEC: http://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/

3. UN Reports:

All UN Reports are considered credible information or evidence for

the Executive Board of the Security Council.

UN Bodies:

UNGA: http://www.un.org/en/ga/
UNSC: http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/
UNHRC:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/HRCIndex.aspx
UN Affiliated Bodies:
International Atomic Energy Agency: http://www.iaea.org/
World Bank: http://www.worldbank.org/
International Monetary Fund:
http://www.imf.org/external/index.htm
International Committee of the Red Cross:
http://www.icrc.org/eng/index.jsp
Treaty Based Bodies:
Antarctic Treaty System: http://www.ats.aq/e/ats.htm
International Criminal Court: http://www.icccpi.int/Menus/ICC

Question 4: How to research for an MUN?

Before understanding how to research for an MUN, it’s imperative

Explicit assets to research include:

United Nations Sources:

● Yearbook of the United Nations:

● United Nations Chronicle:
● UN Document Index: Available in three versions: UNDI
(1950-1973), UNDEX (1970-1978), and UNODC (1979-present).
Includes a subject index, a country index, and an
alphanumeric list of all published reports.
● UN Resolutions: United Nations Security Council are binding
on member states, meaning that no member state shall
trespass the clauses of resolutions. Thus, you may use any
belligerencies made by member states against them in the
committee.
Other UN Sources:
Check for books and special reports from organizations like the
WHO.

Non-UN Sources:

● Embassy
● Books
● Periodicals:

Useful for current information but may lack the depth needed for
the conference.
Utilize resources like the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature
and InfoTrack.

About the Committee

History of the committee:

The Security Council held its first session on 17 January 1946 at
Church House, Westminster, London. Since its first meeting, the
Security Council has taken permanent residence at the United
Nations Headquarters in New York City. It also traveled to many
cities, holding sessions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1972, in
Panama City, Panama, and in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1990.
A representative of each of its members must be present at all
times at UN Headquarters so that the Security Council can meet at
any time as the need arises.
Mandate of the committee:

The United Nations Charter established six main organs of the

United Nations, including the Security Council. It gives primary
responsibility for maintaining international peace and security to
the Security Council, which may meet whenever peace is
threatened.
According to the Charter, the United Nations has four purposes:
● to maintain international peace and security;
● to develop friendly relations among nations;
● to cooperate in solving international problems and in
promoting respect for human rights;
● and to be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations.
All members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out
the decisions of the Security Council. While other organs of the
United Nations make recommendations to member states, only
the Security Council has the power to make decisions that
member states are then obligated to implement under the
Charter.

Functions and Powers:

When a complaint concerning a threat to peace is brought before
it, the Council’s first action is usually to recommend that the
parties try to reach agreement by peaceful means. The Council
may:
● set forth principles for such an agreement;
● undertake investigation and mediation, in some cases;
● dispatch a mission;
● appoint special envoys; or
 ● request the Secretary-General to use his good offices to
achieve a pacific settlement of the dispute.
When a dispute leads to hostilities, the Council’s primary concern
is to bring them to an end as soon as possible. In that case, the
Council may:
● issue ceasefire directives that can help prevent an
escalation of the conflict;
● dispatch military observers or a peacekeeping force to
help reduce tensions, separate opposing forces and
establish a calm in which peaceful settlements may be
sought.
Beyond this, the Council may opt for enforcement measures,
including:
● economic sanctions, arms embargoes, financial penalties
and restrictions, and travel bans;
● severance of diplomatic relations;
● blockade;
● or even collective military action.
A chief concern is to focus action on those responsible for the
policies or practices condemned by the international community,
while minimizing the impact of the measures taken on other parts
of the population and economy.
Member States:
As per the freeze date, the following member states shall be
present in the Security Council.
Permanent Members:
1. United States of America (Permanent Member)
2. United Kingdom (Permanent Member)
3. The French Republic
4. The Russian Federation
5. People’s Republic of China
The permanent members get a special ‘veto’ power. This power
lets them unilaterally strike down resolutions.

The following are non-permanent member states:

6. Republic of Angola
7. Republic of Bulgaria
8. Republic of Cameroon
9. Republic of Chile
10.Federal Republic of Germany
11. Republic of Guinea (Presidency)
12. United Mexican States
13. Islamic Republic of Pakistan
14.Kingdom of Spain
15. Syrian Arab Republic
Procedural Guidelines

The committee shall follow the basic structure of the UNA-USA

ROPs with several modifications.

Quorum:
Quorum is a prerogative necessity for a committee to formally
start committee proceedings. The presence of 2/5th of all
members is the required quorum for the committee.

Formal Debate:
The formal debate shall comprise motions (GSL) points and yields.

Verbatim:
General Speaker’s List :
This speech shall include an overview of the country’s stance and
policies on the agenda as well as possible and pragmatic solutions
to the agenda. There will be a set time limit on the speeches in the
speaker’s list.
If a speaker has not exercised the entirety of their set time limit,
then that speaker may yield their remaining time. Yields come in
three forms:
Yield to another delegate: Their remaining time shall be given to
another delegate.
Yield to Executive Board: If the delegate does not wish to be
subject to questions or comments, they can yield the time to the
executive board. The usage of the time left shall be the executive
board’s decision.
Yield to questions: If the delegate wishes to be subject to
questions from the rest of the committee, the chair shall choose
the delegates who then shall ask questions. Answers to questions
are limited to the time remaining in a delegate's speech. While
conversing, the delegate asking the question can ask for a Plea to
follow – up to the chairperson and vice versa the delegate
answering can ask for a Right to Reply.

Points:
During the course of the committee sessions, the delegates shall
be allowed to exercise the following four types of points:
Point of Personal Privilege: A point of personal privilege
addresses matters of personal comfort and safety.
Point of Inquiry: A point of inquiry allows the delegates to ask the
executive board any queries about the present procedures of the
committee.
Point of Information: A point of information follows a speech and
allows the delegate to ask a point of information (question) to the
speaker about their speech/resolution.
Point of Order: A point of order allows any delegate to point-out
any factual inaccuracy made by a speaker in their speech. The
delegates are required to quote the speaker’s exact words. It may
also be used to point out procedural errors on the part of the
executive board

Provisional Speaker’s List:

It will be a speech similar to the GSL however it shall focus on
events that happen concurrently in the committee.
Documentation:
Chits:
POI Chits:
Delegates may send POIs through chits, via the format given
below

POI #001
VIA EB
To:
From:

—------------BODY—---------------

Substantive Chits:
Substantive Chits are an extension to your speech/statements.
These may be sent via the format given below

SUBSTANTIVE CHIT #001

TO : EB
FROM :

—------------BODY—----------------
Position Paper:
The position paper is a document to be sent before the formal
debate begins. It shall contain your portfolio’s perspective on
the agenda and possible solutions and your country’s analysis
of the situation.
Working Paper:
The working paper is a document containing short-term
solutions to be sent in the middle of a committee, usually
after the conclusion of a moderated caucus.
Draft Resolution:
It is a document which is passed (unanimously) by the
committee at the end. A UNSC resolution is binding on all
member states.
Press Release:
Press Release is submitted by your government to the media
in order to spread (mis)information and change the public
opinion on matters.
[NOTE: ALL PRESS RELEASES MUST BE SENT THROUGH
JOURNALISTS IN THE COMMITTEE]
Directives:
Directives are sent privately to the executive board. Directives
contain actions taken by your committee and strategies to
gain advantage in or from the conflict.

[NOTE: THESE SHOULD BE SENT KEEPING IN MIND SOME

BASIC HUMANITARIAN LAW, FUNCTIONING OF THE
COMMITTEE AND BASIC COMMON SENSE. ALL DIRECTIVES
GOING AGAINST ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SHALL BE
DISCARDED]
Communique:
Communiques can be sent to bodies outside the confines of
the committee.
Presidential Address:
Presidential Address is a statement made by the president or
the head of state of your country. It is used to change country
policies or announce new developments regarding the
conflict.
Joint Statement:
A joint statement is made between two or more states to
declare collaborative ventures.
Policy Paper:
It is a paper to define pre-existing or change in policies by
your government. It can also be used as a ‘propaganda paper’.
Marking Scheme

GSL - 15 marks
POI (Verbal) - 10 marks
POI Reply - 5 marks
POI Chits - 5 marks
Substantive Chits - 10 marks
Point of Order- 10 marks
Documentation - 20 marks
Decorum and Diplomatic Courtesy - 10 marks
Foreign Policy - 10 marks
Research and Analysis - 10 marks
Crisis Management - 20 marks
Lobbying - 10 marks
Right to Reply - 5 marks
PSL - 10 x n* (*n= number of PSL/SLs conducted)