Introductory Letter
Dearest chairs, delegates, and anyone whom it may concern — welcome to the official DUMUN27 Rules of Procedure. Within this document you will be introduced to the general rules of procedure and the system used at DUMUN27.
Rules of procedure sometimes differ from conference to conference, so all participants are strongly encouraged to have a thorough understanding of the specific rules used here, rather than assuming past experience will transfer directly. Note that these rules do not apply to the Crisis Committee or the International Criminal Court, which follow their own procedures.
We sincerely hope your preparation goes smoothly, and that this document helps you understand the MUN system a little better. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out at dumun.org@gmail.com.
We are very excited to see you all thrive at DUMUN27. — Secretariat of DUMUN27
General Rules & Conduct
The Rules of Procedure of DUMUN27 are not subject to debate, alteration, or challenge during the conference. A thorough understanding of these rules is mandatory for all participants, and delegates are expected to adhere to them throughout all sessions.
English is the sole official and working language of DUMUN27. All speeches, documents, resolutions, and written communication must be conducted in English.
The dress code for the conference is business formal. Delegates are expected to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor at all times, both during committee sessions and in all official conference spaces.
The organizers of DUMUN27 do not assume responsibility for the personal belongings, actions, or safety of attendees. Participants are required to act responsibly and respectfully toward all individuals and the facilities in which the conference takes place. Any damage to property or the environment caused by an attendee must be fully compensated by the responsible party.
General Terms
Committees
A committee is a specialized body within the MUN where delegates represent countries or roles to debate specific global issues. Each committee focuses on a different area of international relations. DUMUN27 holds the following committees:
The UN's leading body for promoting and protecting human rights worldwide, addressing violations and holding states accountable while balancing sovereignty with international standards.
The UN's main platform for economic, social, and environmental policy, promoting sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The First Committee of the General Assembly, focused on global peace and security through disarmament, arms control, and emerging military technologies.
The UN's key agency against illicit drugs, organized crime, corruption, and terrorism, strengthening the rule of law and international cooperation.
Responsible for maintaining international peace and security — debating conflicts, imposing sanctions, and authorizing peacekeeping missions.
Recreates real-world crises from the past, challenging delegates to think, negotiate, and act like the world leaders of that era.
Simulates judicial proceedings against individuals accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide.
Operates in real time, responding to fast-changing emergencies that demand quick thinking and negotiation under pressure.
Roles & Bodies
The directors and moderators of the committee. They maintain order, moderate debate, and decide on motions and points, and are bound by motions proposed by delegates except as specified under Motions.
The head of the entire conference, overseeing all committees and the organizing team. Holds the right to overrule any decision made by Chairs and has final say on the rules of the conference.
The largest UN body, where all member states have equal representation and pass non-binding resolutions by majority vote.
Documents & Concepts
The final documents expressing a committee's agreed-upon solution, made up of preambulatory clauses (background, reasoning) and operative clauses (actions, recommendations).
Formal proposals to change, add to, or strike parts of a draft resolution. Amendments may be "friendly" (accepted by the sponsor) or "unfriendly" (requiring a vote).
Motions are formal requests to change the flow of debate. Points are used to ask questions or raise procedural or content-related concerns.
Held by the five permanent Security Council members — China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US. A "no" vote from any P5 member on a substantive matter automatically fails the resolution. Does not apply in the General Assembly.
A state in which delegates may move into a Moderated Caucus, Unmoderated Caucus, Q&A session, Voting Procedure, and so on.
A recapitulatory debate before a voting procedure, with one or two speeches for and against, typically held after Points of Information and prior debate.
Voting
Voting procedures determine the outcome of amendments, motions, and resolutions once debate has been closed. The Chair announces when the committee enters voting procedure, and no delegate may enter or leave the room during this time unless authorized by the Chair.
Types of Voting
When consensus is evident, the Chair may propose voting by acclamation. With no objections, the item is adopted unanimously; any objection triggers a formal vote.
The most common method — delegates raise placards in favor, against, or abstain, and the Chairs count and announce the result.
Requested by motion. The Chair calls each country alphabetically, and delegates respond "Yes," "No," or "Abstain." Abstentions may be ruled out of order at the Chair's discretion.
Used when a placard vote is too close or unclear. Abstentions are not permitted and no objections are allowed — delegates must vote in favor or against when called.
Required Majorities
| Item | Majority required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural motions | No vote needed | Requires a "second" and no objections; if objected to, a simple majority procedural vote follows |
| Amendments | Simple majority | Abstentions do not count toward the total |
| Resolutions | Two-thirds majority | Of members present and voting; Security Council resolutions also require no P5 veto |
Flow of Debate
At the start of the session, the Chair calls the committee to order and a Motion to Establish Quorum confirms enough delegates are present to begin. Delegates state whether they are present (may abstain from voting) or present and voting (may not abstain later). Once quorum is established, the committee sets the agenda by choosing which proposed topic to discuss first.
The committee then moves into Opening Speeches, roughly 90 seconds each, where delegates outline their country's position, concerns, and goals — setting the tone for debate and helping delegates identify allies.
Once opening speeches and their Points of Information are complete, the committee enters Open Debate, where delegates raise motions to structure discussion, most commonly:
- Moderated Caucus — a General Speakers List (GSL) is opened, and delegates may move to be added and speak in turn.
- Unmoderated Caucus — delegates move freely to negotiate, form blocs, and write draft resolutions.
- Q&A Sessions — delegates ask direct questions to speakers or resolution sponsors.
Once blocs have formed and ideas merged, delegates may present a Draft Resolution. From there, delegates may propose Amendments, each of which (aside from friendly ones) is debated and voted on before moving to the next.
Before the final vote, the committee may hold a Closed Debate — speeches for and against the resolution. Finally, once all amendments are resolved and no further motions remain, the committee proceeds to Voting Procedure on the resolution as a whole.
Motions
Motions are formal requests made by delegates to change the flow of debate.
To Establish / Challenge the Quorum
Confirms enough delegates are present to begin, or allows a delegate to change their present / present-and-voting status.
To Set the Agenda
Decides which topic on the agenda will be discussed first, by proposed order and vote.
To Move into Opening Speeches
Allows each delegation to deliver a short statement of position and goals.
To Move into a Moderated Caucus
Focused, chair-run discussion of a sub-topic; the proposer specifies purpose, speaking time, and total duration.
To Move into an Unmoderated Caucus
Pauses formal debate so delegates can negotiate freely and draft working papers or resolutions.
To Follow Up
Requests the Chair clarify or revisit a previous motion or point, as a statement or a question.
To Hold a Q&A Session
Lets delegates question a speaker or sponsor group; the proposer states total and per-question time.
To Open Debate
Formally begins discussion on the chosen agenda item.
To Hold a Closed Debate
Separates speeches into for and against, clarifying viewpoints ahead of a vote.
To Move into Voting Procedure
Ends debate and moves directly to voting on the item under consideration.
To Explain Vote
Lets a delegate briefly justify their vote after the fact; must be requested before voting begins.
To Adjourn the Session
Ends the current formal meeting, usually at the end of a day or on completion of the committee's work.
To Divide the House
Repeats a close or unclear vote via roll call, with no abstentions permitted.
To Extend / To Limit
Requests more or less time — for POIs, speaking time, number of speakers — subject to the Chair's approval.
To Be Added to the GSL
Adds a delegate's name to the General Speakers' List for formal debate.
To Table
Ends debate on the current matter permanently — it will not be revisited.
To Suspend
Pauses debate on the current matter — the committee may return to it later.
To Censure
Raised as "Motion to censure [delegate] for [time]" for offense or repeated breach of the ROPs; the censured delegate must leave or stay silent and loses voting rights for that period.
To Tour de Table
Asks each delegate to briefly state their position on a matter within a set time.
To Present an Amendment
Introduces a formal change to a draft resolution, specified as friendly or unfriendly.
For a P5 Meeting
Security Council only — the P5 may hold a private meeting apart from the rest of the delegates.
To Summarize a P5 Meeting
Non-P5 delegates may request a summary; the P5 are not obliged to provide one.
Points
Points are used to ask questions or raise procedural or content-related concerns.
Point of Information to the Speaker
A question to the delegate who just spoke, related to their speech — only if the speaker has agreed to take questions, and phrased as a question, not a comment.
Point of Order
Raised when proper procedure isn't being followed; may interrupt the speaker only if urgent. The Chair decides validity.
Point of Parliamentary Inquiry
A clarifying question to the Chair about rules or procedure; cannot interrupt another speaker.
Point of Information to the Chair
A factual or logistical question to the Chair — e.g. time remaining or speaking order — not for commenting on other delegates.
Rights & Appeals
Raised if a delegate or their country was directly mentioned in another's speech, to demand an apology or correct a statement. The answering delegate may respond or choose to apologize.
Used when a delegate is unsatisfied with a chairboard decision and the situation isn't addressed in the ROPs, or the chairboard itself is in doubt. A member of the Secretariat is called to decide the dispute.