Rules of Procedure

Those already familiar know that rules of procedure are at the heart of how
debate is facilitated in Committee. Here is a rundown of how they will work in this
committee.

General Etiquette and Important Terms

MUN Etiquette entails specific ways of speaking that are incongruous with daily
use, and quite different from other debate formats you may have participated in
before.

General Conduct

●​ Refer to yourself and others in the third person, for the most part. (e.g. Delegate of the
United States).
○​ However, as this can become cumbersome it is also acceptable to simply
address others as ‘delegate’.
○​ Generally avoid statements such as “I believe” or “I think” and replace I with ‘The
delegate’ or ‘We’
●​ You will be provided a placard upon entering the committee with your country’s name on
it, raise this placard if you’d like to be recognised by the chair. To ask questions to the
chair or others, they must be raised in the form of points, they go as follows:
○​ Point of Personal Privilege - Any question or concern that relates to personal
accommodation, for example using the restroom, asking the chair or another
delegate to repeat something said previously, etc.
○​ Point of Parliamentary Inquiry - Any question or concern that relates to the Rules
of Procedure. If this document leaves you with questions unanswered come the
committee session, or an unforeseen situation arises, clarify any doubts via this
point
○​ Point of Information - This is a request for additional information from the current
speaker. After somebody has finished speaking in their allotted time, a point of
information may be raised to receive additional information, a clarification, etc.
○​ Point of Order - This is for when you notice a logical fallacy or factual inaccuracy
in another delegate’s argument, raise the point to the Executive Board and have
it clarified.
●​ You may also raise motions to control the flow of debate and/or initiate an action. Every
motion is voted upon and requires a simple majority (more than 50%) to pass. Only if it
passes will the action be taken. Please note that technically any motion is permitted as
 long as it follows general rules of procedure, if you’re unsure, stick to the standard
motions. The standard motions you can raise go as follows :
○​ Motion to Open Debate - This is the first motion raised in committee, it does
exactly what it says on the tin.
○​ Motion to Open a General Speakers List (GSL) - This is usually raised by the
Executive board to kickstart debate. After a delegate has finished a GSL speech,
points may not be raised. The goal for delegates during the GSL is not to debate
directly, but make general points about their nation’s stance on the agenda.
○​ Motion for a Moderated Caucus - A moderated caucus is a type of debate that
involves a limited number of speakers in a row for a limited time, similar to the
GSL, except here the goal is to directly debate each other on a more specific
topic, and points can be raised. The delegate raising the motion must specify the
number of speakers, time allotted per speaker and topic of debate.
○​ Motion for an Unmoderated Caucus - An unmoderated caucus is uncontrolled
discussion, the perfect opportunity for collaboration. Delegates are free to roam
around the room and converse without restriction. The delegate raising the
motion must specify the duration of the unmoderated caucus.
○​ Motion for a Round Robin - Round Robins are similar to moderated caucuses,
except here every delegate must speak, the time allotted is usually shorter and
points are not allowed. These are also usually raised by the chair, but can be
raised by delegates as well. The delegate raising the motion must specify the
number of speakers, time allotted per speaker and topic of debate.
○​ Motion to table a working paper - This motion allows delegates in Blocks (term
explained later) to ask for a vote on whether their working paper (term explained
later) should be up for discussion and debate before being voted on.
○​ Motion to Adjourn - As the name suggests, a motion to pause the debate for any
kind of break, usually at the end of the committee day.
○​ Motion to End Formal Debate - As the name suggests, a motion to adjourn the
committee indefinitely, effectively ending your conference.
●​ You will be allowed electronic devices and the internet during the committee, so that you
may quickly access new information as the crisis changes. While there isn’t a good way
to enforce it, use of AI to write speeches is banned, if you are caught doing so, action will
be taken. But generally, avoid it in the interest of having the committee be as enjoyable
and fair as possible for everyone.
●​ Otherwise, simply follow the rules of formal conduct. Be as eloquent, respectful and
composed as possible. It’s ok to get heated, though it goes without saying that ad
hominem attacks (personal insults) are strictly forbidden.
●​ Any violation of this conduct can and will get you temporarily barred from committee
(usually anywhere from five to fifteen minutes, though it extreme cases it can go higher)1.

1
In the event of personal insult or gross misrepresentation a delegate may ask for a right to reply. This
is an opportunity for the delegate to defend themselves when they believe they, or their nation has been
personally attacked or horribly misrepresented and is a way for the delegate to clarify their true position to
the rest of the committee and the executive board.
Background on the Agenda
& How to Research

‘International Security and the Regulation of Military Activities in Outer Space’

The following section is made up of excerpts from pre-existing sources. No information has
been simplified or abridged. After the excerpts a small section explaining how to do further
research is provided.

THE OUTER SPACE TREATY AT A GLACE

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans the stationing of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in
outer space, prohibits military activities on celestial bodies, and details legally binding rules
governing the peaceful exploration and use of space.

The treaty entered into force Oct. 10, 1967, and has 115 states-parties as of June 2024, with
another 23 countries that have signed it but have not yet completed ratification. For an
up-to-date count of states-parties, please check the UNODA Treaties Database.

Treaty Terms

The treaty forbids countries from deploying "nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of
mass destruction" in outer space. The term "weapons of mass destruction" is not defined, but it
is commonly understood to include nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. The treaty,
however, does not prohibit the launching of ballistic missiles, which could be armed with WMD
warheads, through space. The treaty repeatedly emphasizes that space is to be used for
peaceful purposes, leading some analysts to conclude that the treaty could broadly be
interpreted as prohibiting all types of weapons systems, not just WMD, in outer space.
The treaty's key arms control provisions are in Article IV. States-parties commit not to:

●​ Place in orbit around the Earth or other celestial bodies any nuclear weapons or objects
carrying WMD.
●​ Install WMD on celestial bodies or station WMD in outer space in any other manner.
●​ Establish military bases or installations, test "any type of weapons," or conduct military
exercises on the moon and other celestial bodies.

Other treaty provisions underscore that space is no single country's domain and that all
countries have a right to explore it. These provisions state that:
 ●​ Space should be accessible to all countries and can be freely and scientifically
investigated.
●​ Space and celestial bodies are exempt from national claims of ownership.
●​ Countries are to avoid contaminating and harming space or celestial bodies.
●​ Countries exploring space are responsible and liable for any damage their activities may
cause.
●​ Space exploration is to be guided by "principles of cooperation and mutual assistance,"
such as obliging astronauts to provide aid to one another if needed.
●​
Like other treaties, the Outer Space Treaty allows for amendments or member withdrawal.
Article XV permits countries to propose amendments. An amendment can only enter into force if
accepted by a majority of states-parties, and it will only be binding on those countries that
approve the amendment. Article XVI states a country's withdrawal from the treaty will take effect
a year after it has submitted a written notification of its intentions to the depositary states: the
United States, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

History

Talks on preserving outer space for peaceful purposes began in the late 1950s at the United
Nations. The United States and its Western allies submitted proposals in 1957 on reserving
space exclusively for "peaceful and scientific purposes," but the Soviet Union rejected these
efforts because it was preparing to launch the world's first satellite and test its first
intercontinental ballistic missile.

In 1963, the UN General Assembly approved two resolutions on outer space that subsequently
became the basis for the Outer Space Treaty. UN Resolution 1884 called on countries to refrain
from stationing WMD in outer space. UN Resolution 1962 set out legal principles on outer space
exploration, which stipulated that all countries have the right to freely explore and use space.

The United States and Soviet Union submitted separate draft outer space treaties to the UN
General Assembly in June 1966. A mutually agreed treaty text was worked out over the next six
months, and the UN General Assembly gave its approval of the treaty on December 19, 1966.
The treaty opened for signature in Washington, Moscow, and London on January 27, 1967 and
entered into force October 10, 1967.

HISTORY OF OUTER SPACE TREATIRES

Several multilateral treaties have been adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to
enable the orderly conduct of activities in outer space.
The cornerstone of these governance instruments is the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. Among
the principles embodied in the Treaty are the freedom of exploration and use of space for the
benefit and interest of all countries, the non-appropriation of outer space, including the Moon
and other celestial bodies, and the prohibition of the deployment of nuclear weapons or other
kinds of weapons of mass destruction in outer space.

Four other treaties were adopted to reinforce the framework set by the Outer Space Treaty.
The Rescue Agreement of 1968 requires States to assist an astronaut in case of accident,
distress, emergency or unintended landing.

The Liability Convention of 1972 establishes the standards of liability for damage caused by
space objects.

The Registration Convention of 1975 requires States to register all objects launched into outer
space with the United Nations.

The Moon Agreement of 1979 elaborates on the provisions of the Outer Space Treaty as they
apply to the Moon and other celestial bodies.

Five sets of principles support that body of law. These are the declaration of legal principles
governing the activities of States in Outer Space (1963), the principles relating to international
direct television broadcasting (1982), the principles relating to remote sensing of the Earth
(1986), the principles on the use of nuclear power sources (1992) and the declaration on
international cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space (1996).
Other resolutions adopted by the Assembly to strengthen the framework include a means for
States that are not party to the Registration Convention to provide information on their satellites
(1721 B of 1961) and recommendations to facilitate the application of the concept of the
"launching State" (59/115 of 2004) and for the enhancement of registration practices (62/101 of
2007).

FIRST, FOURTH COMMITTEES JOINTLY CONSIDER MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN

Warning about the increasing weaponization of outer space, delegates called today for a legally
binding instrument to make up for deficiencies in the existing treaty, during a joint ad hoc
meeting of the First (Disarmament and International Security) and Fourth Committees (Special
Political and Decolonization).
China’s representative said that her delegation and that of the Russian Federation have
proposed a “treaty on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space, the threat or
use of force against outer space objects”. Recalling that the Group of Governmental Experts
recently advanced valuable suggestions but failed to adopt a report, she emphasized that
appropriate measures for building transparency and confidence can complement binding legal
instruments but not replace them.

The representative of the United States also cited the report of the Group of Governmental
Experts, saying that the 21 Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities
adopted by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space can also be considered as
measures for building transparency and confidence. Welcoming the Outer Space Committee’s
adoption of the Guidelines, he described that action as an important milestone.

However, the Russian Federation’s representative said there have been suggestions that the
Outer Space Treaty is outdated and no longer reflects the situation in space, particularly the
number of participants, emphasizing that until recently, outer space activities were based on the
norms and principles of international space law. While acknowledging the link between the
Outer Space Committee and the United Nations disarmament machinery, he underlined the
unique role of each and warned against confusing their respective agendas.

The joint meeting also heard from Thomas Markram, Deputy High Representative for
Disarmament Affairs, who said that in the absence of agreed norms, the expansion and
significance of military activities in outer space may encourage more countries to use
counter-space capabilities in protecting their own assets. He went on to say United Nations
entities can do more together to facilitate the implementation of agreed measures, including the
creation of a platform for exchanging information and dialogue on military space policies,
doctrines and programmes.

Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, called for
organized reporting on the implementation of the Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of
Outer Space Activities. Structured exchanges of information on space objects and events, as
well as other such actions, could encompass measures for building trust, confidence and
stability, she said.

Also speaking today were representatives of the Philippines, United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil,
Argentina, Switzerland, Pakistan and Colombia.

An observer for the European Union also delivered a statement.

Bibliography
Arms Control Association. “The Outer Space Treaty at a Glance.” Arms Control Association Fact
Sheet, July 2024, [Link]

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. “History: Treaties.” UNOOSA, United Nations,
accessed 29 July 2025, [Link]

United Nations. “First, Fourth Committees Jointly Consider Military Activities in Outer Space as
Delegates Call for Legally Binding Way to Bridge Gaps in Existing Treaty.” UN Meetings
Coverage, General Assembly, 31 Oct. 2019, [Link]

How to research?

Research for an MUN can be broken down into two main categories, researching on the agenda
and researching your nation’s position. Since researching on the agenda has been covered in
the previous section, this section will cover researching your country. First and foremost, the
following background information is essential.

-​ Population: How many people live in your country? How does this affect the way it’s run
and the decisions it will take?
-​ Demographics: Who makes up that population? What are the linguistic, ethnic,
religious, economic and cultural groups that exist in your nation and in what proportion?
Are there tensions between them? If so, why?
-​ Economy: What keeps your nation's economy afloat? What are major imports and
exports? Is it diversified or centered around one central resource? Are the jobs in your
country primarily agricultural (primary sector) industrial (secondary sector) or
service-based (tertiary sector)?
-​ Geography: What is the physical landscape of your country like? Are there rich reserves
of natural resources or are there none? Are there certain rivers that are essential to your
water supply? Are there natural barriers that make life difficult in large parts of your
country (i.e. deserts)? What does the political geography of your country look like? Who
do you border? Are there disputes? If so, why?
-​ Foreign Relations: One of the most important things to know is who your allies are, and
maybe even more importantly, who your enemies are. Keep in mind that generally being
allies does not correlate to being allies in a committee; find nations who agree with you
on the issue at hand

Finally, make sure to research all of these in the context of the agenda. A large mountainous
border dispute might be relevant in a committee about immigration policy or global conflict, but
maybe not so much in an economics centered UBI committee.
The Flow of Committee

Before we get into the topic of this section, we must discuss the point of the committee. In any
committee in an MUN conference, the goal is to write legislation/policy to address the agenda in
the form of a draft resolution, which will be addressed in a later section.

Before debate even begins, roll call must be taken. Each delegate’s name will be read out, e.g.
“The Delegate of the United States of America?” and each delegate must respond either
“Present” or “Present and voting”. The difference being that a present and voting stance forfeits
the delegate’s right to abstain from the final vote on the draft resolution. This stance, or the lack
of it, will send a message to your fellow delegates, so think about what you want to say.

Debate always begins with a general speakers list, for which delegates who wish to speak may
raise their placards, and the chairs will recognise the number of speakers necessary or
specified in the motion. This process also applies for deciding the speakers in a moderated
caucus. After the GSL, the floor will be open for motions, after which, all of you decide the flow
of the committee. If no motions pass after a few are put forward by delegates, debate returns to
the GSL, and the process repeats. Eventually blocks (essentially allied groups) will start to form,
again decided by who you choose to form one with. These blocks will then each start
developing a working paper of legislation that deals with the agenda; more details about this are
shared later. After the most popular papers have been tabled, discussed, and voted upon, the
committee ends. Whether a solution actually gets passed or not, i.e. the success of the
committee is determined by you. Please refer to the flowchart on the next page for the general
flow of the committee.
Draft Resolutions
This is the final stage of the committee, when after formal debate, delegates must now begin
drafting resolutions to propose comprehensive solutions to the agenda at hand. At this point,
delegates should already be familiar with each other’s positions, alliances, and priorities, which
have been shaped through formal speeches, moderated caucuses, and unmoderated caucuses.

Forming Blocs

The first step before drafting a resolution is forming blocs. These are groups of member states
that generally share similar views or policy goals on the agenda topic. Blocs are informal and
are usually formed during unmoderated caucuses, where delegates move freely, initiate
discussions, and align with others based on national interest or regional strategy. There is no
formal process for forming or joining a bloc—delegates are free to join, leave, or even work with
multiple blocs as needed.

Working Papers

Once a bloc is formed, the delegates begin drafting a working paper, which is an informal
document outlining proposed solutions to the issue at hand. At this stage, it does not require
formal formatting, though it should still follow the structure of a resolution (with preambulatory
clauses and operative clauses). Working papers serve as a blueprint for what may eventually
become a formal draft resolution.

●​ Each bloc may designate a few delegates as primary authors or sponsors, who
contribute the most to the content and are willing to defend and present the paper.
●​ Other delegates in the bloc may become signatories, meaning they support the paper
being brought forward for discussion, even if they don’t fully agree with every part of it.
●​ A delegate may be a signatory to multiple working papers, but may only sponsor
one draft resolution on the same topic.

Draft Resolutions

Once a working paper is typed, formatted correctly, and reviewed by the executive board (your
chairpeople.. At this point, the draft resolution is officially introduced to the committee and may
be debated, amended, and voted on.

A formal draft resolution must:

●​ Begin with a list of sponsors and signatories

Voting Procedure

At the end of debate, the committee moves into voting procedure. A draft resolution requires
a simple majority(more than 50% of members present and voting) to pass. There is no need
for a two-thirds majority unless specified by conference rules or in certain specialized
committees.

Once passed, the draft resolution becomes the official resolution of the committee and
represents the collective will and policy direction of the body on the agenda topic.

Conclusion
This is a more or less comprehensive version of the MUN Rules of procedure when it comes to
Crisis Committees, however the ROP are expansive and vast and I am sure to have missed
some details. Don’t worry too much, try to understand it as best you can, and on the day of the
committee, you may clarify any doubts you have about it. The Executive Board will try its best to
guide you through the committee as smoothly as possible, without too much hand-holding.