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2024 Handbook Security Council Rules of Procedure
Topics
1.0 Administrative 1.0 Administrative
1.1 The Secretariat. The Secretariat consists of the volunteer staff members of American Model United Nations (AMUN).
1.2 Rules Committee. The President of the General Assembly, the Director of Rules and Procedures, the Director of Security Council Procedures, the Vice President of the General Assembly and one other person as appointed by the Secretary-General shall compose the membership of the Rules Committee.
1.3 Credentials. All questions concerning the validity of representative credentials shall be submitted in writing to the Secretariat,
- The Secretariat has sole authority to create and distribute credentials,
- The Secretariat has sole authority to decide all questions concerning credentials, and
- Representatives must display approved credentials at all times while on the Conference premises.
1.4 Quorum. A quorum is made up of all Member States; to begin a Council session, all Members must be present,
- The Secretariat reserves the right to adjust quorum as it deems necessary.
1.5 Security Council Officers. The Secretariat shall appoint the Presidents and Vice Presidents of the Security Council and shall select any other positions necessary to help conduct the sessions of the Council.
1.6 General Authority of the Security Council President. In addition to exercising such authority as conferred upon the President elsewhere in these rules, the President shall:
- Declare the opening and closing of each session,
- Ensure the observance of the rules,
- Facilitate the discussions of the Council and accord the right to speak,
- Advise the Council on methods of procedure that will enable the body to accomplish its goals,
- Rule on points and motions and, subject to these rulings, have complete control of the proceedings of the Council and the maintenance of order at its meetings, and
- During the course of the session, the President may propose Suspension of the Meeting (rule 7.1), Adjournment of the Meeting (rule 7.2), Closure of Debate (rule 7.5), Consultative Session (rule 7.7), and Limits on Debate (rule 7.11).
The President is under the direct authority of the Rules Committee and may be directed to inform the Council on matters of procedure if such action is deemed necessary by the Rules Committee.
1.7 Absence of Council President. If the Council President should find it necessary to be absent during any part of a Council session, the President shall designate an individual, normally the Vice President, to chair the Council session with the same authority.
1.8 Attendance at Security Council Sessions. Each Security Council Member delegation assumes the responsibility to have a minimum of one accredited representative at each Council session.
1.9 Emergency Council Sessions. Emergency Security Council Sessions may be called by the Secretariat at any time international conflicts require immediate Council attention, as established in the Charter of the United Nations.
1.10 Provisional Agenda. The Secretariat shall distribute a provisional agenda to all delegations prior to the start of the Conference,
- This agenda in no way limits the Council’s topics,
- This agenda in no way confirms the inclusion of topics during the Council’s deliberations, and
- The provisional agenda does not constitute a default agenda for the Council.
1.11 Daily Order of Consideration of Agenda Topics. The Council will establish the daily order of consideration of agenda topics at the start of each daily session. Once established, this will become the working agenda for the duration of that day,
- Agenda topics will be discussed in the order in which they appear on the working agenda (rule 7.10), and
- A delegation wishing to change this order may move to add an agenda topic (rule 7.8) and change the order of consideration of the working agenda (rule 7.9).
1.12 Participation by Non-Council Member States and International Organizations. When an issue before the Security Council involves a non-Council United Nations Member State or Observer, the Council may request that the delegation be represented during Council sessions in which the issue is being discussed,
- To do this a Council Member must move that the Member or Observer be brought as a Party to the Dispute (rule 7.15),
- A non-Council United Nations Member or Observer that has been requested to attend Council sessions will usually be given debating privileges, allowing the delegation to be recognized by the President during debate,
- A non-Council United Nations Member State or Observer may submit draft resolutions or amendments, but may not move these to the floor or vote at any time, and
- A non-Council Member requested to attend a Council session, but not given debating privileges, will be subject to a question and answer period.
When discussing any issue, if the Security Council finds it necessary to have a representative of a non-United Nations Member State, an international organization or any other persons it considers competent for the purpose present, the Council may request one by means of Party to the Dispute (rule 7.15). A representative will be made available to the Council in a timely fashion,
- These representatives may not be given debating privileges, but will be subject to a question and answer period, and
- The Secretariat will assume full responsibility to certify representatives’ credentials prior to their appearance before the Council.
Due to technical and logistical limitations the Contemporary Security Council will not be able to declare an “open meeting” during any virtual session.
1.13 Security Council Priority Relating to Issues Concerning the Maintenance of International Peace and Security. The Security Council, as established in the United Nations Charter, shall have priority over the General Assembly on issues that pertain to the maintenance of international peace and security,
- Issues of this type, while under discussion in the Security Council, shall be seized from General Assembly action,
- General Assembly draft resolutions that deal with a seized issue may be discussed and amended, but no final vote on the draft resolution may be taken, and
- Accordingly, any General Assembly draft resolution pertaining to a seized issue may be discussed and amended but cannot be put to a final vote in the General Assembly until the Security Council has completed its deliberations on the issue.
If no resolution has been adopted, the Security Council will be considered to have completed its deliberations on a seized issue once that agenda topic is no longer under discussion. The Council may declare itself actively seized on a topic by stating this in a resolution; this seizure will prevent the General Assembly from taking action until a two-hour time period has elapsed. General Assembly representatives will be kept informed by the Secretary-General of any seized issues.
2.0 General Rules 2.0 General Rules
2.1 Statements by the Secretariat. The Secretary-General or any member of the Secretariat may make verbal or written statements to the Security Council at any time.
2.2 Diplomatic Courtesy. All participants in the AMUN Conference must accord Diplomatic Courtesy to all credentialed representatives, Secretariat Members, Faculty Advisors and Observers at all times,
- Representatives who persist in obvious attempts to disrupt the session shall be subject to expulsion from the Council by the President,
- The Secretariat reserves the right to expel any representative or delegation from the Conference, and
- This decision is not appealable.
2.3 Speeches. No representative may address the Council without obtaining the permission of the President,
- Delegations, not representatives, are recognized to speak; more than one representative from the same delegation may speak when the delegation is recognized,
- Speakers must keep their remarks germane to the subject under discussion,
- A time limit may be established for speeches (rule 7.11),
- Representatives, at the conclusion of a substantive speech, will be allowed, if they are willing, to answer questions concerning their speech,
- A delegation that desires to ask a question of the speaker should signify by raising a Point of Inquiry (rule 6.3),
- All questions and replies are made through the President,
- A speaker who desires to make a motion may do so after speaking and accepting points of inquiry, but prior to yielding the floor, and
- By making a motion the speaker yields the floor.
2.4 Recognition of Speakers. Delegations wishing to speak on an item before the body will signify by raising their placards (or the virtual equivalent as directed by the President),
- The exception to this rule occurs on any Point of Order (rule 6.1), Information (rule 6.2), or Inquiry (rule 6.3), at which time a representative should indicate their motion to the President in the manner directed by the President.
- Points will be recognized in the order of their priority,
- Motions may not be made from Points of Order (rule 6.1), Information (rule 6.2) or Inquiry (rule 6.3), except
- A motion to Appeal the Decision of the President (rule 7.6), may be made when recognized for a Point of Order.
- The President shall recognize speakers in a fair and orderly manner, and
- Speakers’ lists will not be used, except during an open meeting (rule 1.12).
2.5 Right of Reply. The President may accord a Right of Reply to any representative if a speech by another representative contains unusual or extraordinary language clearly insulting to personal or national dignity,
- Requests for a Right of Reply shall be made in writing to the President,
- Requests shall contain the specific language which was found to be insulting to personal or national dignity,
- The President may limit the time for reply,
- There shall be no reply to a reply, and
- This decision is not appealable.
2.6 Withdrawal of Motions. A motion may be withdrawn by its proposer at any time before voting on it has begun,
- A withdrawn motion may be reintroduced by any other delegation.
2.7 Dilatory Motions. The President may rule out of order any motion repeating or closely approximating a recent previous motion on which the Council has already rendered an opinion,
- This decision is not appealable.
2.8 Open Debate on Motions. Representatives wishing to speak to a motion may do so for any motions which are subject to open debate,
- The President shall declare the opening and closing of debate on motions,
- Points of Inquiry are not in order during this debate,
- Motions of higher priority than the one being debated may be made from the floor during open debate,
- The President will declare debate closed when no other delegation signifies its desire to speak,
- Closure of open debate may not be moved by a delegation from the floor, and
- The body will move to an immediate vote on the motion following the President’s declaration of closure.
2.9 Consultative Session. The Council may choose to suspend its formal rules and enter an informal consultative session moderated by the Council President if the Members determine that this process will better facilitate the discussion of a particular issue,
- The Council will move immediately into a formal session once the time period or topic set for the Consultative Session has expired (rule 7.7).
3.0 Rules That Relate to the Rules 3.0 Rules That Relate to the Rules
3.1 Rule Priority and Procedure. The rules contained in this handbook are the official rules of procedure of American Model United Nations and will be used for all Council sessions. These rules take precedence over any other set of rules.
3.2 Precedence of Rules. Proceedings in the Security Council of AMUN shall be conducted under the following precedence of rules
- AMUN Rules of Procedure,
- AMUN Security Council Order of Precedence of the Rules Short Form,
- Rulings by the Rules Committee,
- Historical usage of the AMUN Rules of Procedure,
- Historical usage of the United Nations Rules of Procedure, and
- The Charter of the United Nations.
3.3 The Order of Precedence of Motions. The order of precedence of motions is listed in order of priority in both the Security Council Precedence Short Form and in these rules under Section 7, “Motions in Order of Priority.”
3.4 Rule Changes. The Rules Committee reserves the right to make changes to these rules at any time. Should a change occur, it will be communicated to the representatives in a timely manner.
3.5 Rule Priority and Procedure. The rules contained in this handbook are the official rules of procedure of AMUN and will be used for all Council sessions. These rules take precedence over any other set of rules.
3.6 Precedence of Rules. Proceedings in the Security Council of AMUN shall be conducted under the following precedence of rules:
- AMUN Rules of Procedure,
- AMUN Security Council Order of Precedence of the Rules Short Form (see page 40),
- Rulings by the Rules Committee,
- Historical usage of the AMUN Rules of Procedure,
- Historical usage of the United Nations Rules of Procedure,
- The Charter of the United Nations.
3.7 The Order of Precedence of Motions. The order of precedence of motions is listed in order of priority in both the Security Council Precedence of the Rules Short Form and in these rules under Section 7, Motions in Order of Priority. These motions, in the order given, have precedence over all other proposals or motions before the Security Council.
3.8 Rule Changes. The Rules Committee reserves the right to make changes to these rules at any time. Should a change occur, it will be communicated to the representatives in a timely manner.
4.0 Draft Resolutions, Amendments & Statements 4.0 Draft Resolutions, Amendments & Statements
4.1 Definition of Draft Resolutions. A draft resolution is a written proposal consisting of at least one preambular and one operative clause.
4.2 Draft Resolutions. Draft resolutions may be submitted to the Security Council President/Vice President for approval at any time during the Conference,
- For a draft resolution to be considered it must be organized in content and flow, in the proper format and approved by the Council Dais,
- Approved resolutions will be assigned an identifying number by the Vice President, and
- After acceptance, draft resolutions shall be processed in the order in which they are received and distributed to all delegations as soon as feasible.
A draft resolution that has been distributed may be proposed when the Council considers the agenda topic that is the subject of the draft resolution,
- Only one draft resolution may be considered at any time during formal debate,
- Once a draft resolution is on the floor for discussion, additional sponsors may only be added to that draft resolution with the consent of the original sponsor(s),
- Once a vote has been taken on a contested amendment to a draft resolution, no additional sponsors may be added,
- Friendly amendments (rule 4.4) do not limit the addition of sponsors as noted above, and
- See also Closure of Debate on an Agenda Topic (rule 7.4), Closure of Debate (rule 7.5), and Consideration of Amendments (rule 7.14).
4.3 Definition of Amendments. An amendment to a draft resolution is a written proposal that adds to, deletes from, or revises any part of a draft resolution.
4.4 Amendments. All amendments must be submitted on an official amendment form to the President/Vice President for approval,
- For an amendment to be considered it must be organized in content and flow, be in the proper format, and be approved by the Council Dais,
- Approved amendments will be assigned an identification letter by the Vice President, and
- Typographical errors in a draft resolution will be corrected by the Council Secretariat and announced to the body.
One or more amendments may be considered on the floor at any given time (see also Closure of Debate on an Agenda Topic (rule 7.4), Closure of Debate (rule 7.5), and Consideration of Amendments (rule 7.14)).
An amendment will be considered “friendly” if all sponsors of the draft resolution are also sponsors of the amendment,
- A friendly amendment becomes part of a draft resolution upon the announcement that it is accepted by the dais,
- No vote is required to add a friendly amendment to a draft resolution.
- The President shall announce the acceptance of a friendly amendment on the first opportunity at which no speaker has the floor, and
- Friendly amendments cannot be accepted after a vote has been taken on a contested amendment or after closure of debate on the resolution has been moved.
4.5 Withdrawal of Sponsorship. Sponsorship of a resolution or amendment may be withdrawn at any time before entering into voting procedure on the item,
- Sponsorship of a resolution may not be withdrawn after a vote has been taken on a contested amendment,
- If a draft resolution or amendment has all sponsorship withdrawn, any delegation may take up sponsorship of that draft resolution or amendment by informing the President, and
- If all sponsors withdraw from a draft resolution or amendment, it is automatically removed from consideration.
4.6 Definition of Presidential Statements. The Security Council may choose to issue a Presidential Statement on issues which do not warrant a resolution. This statement is formally issued by the President of the Council, but is drafted by the body, or its designees.
4.7 Presidential Statements. Presidential Statements are discussed, drafted and accepted in informal debate or outside of a formal Council session,
- This statement must be accepted by a consensus of the Council during a Consultative Session (rule 7.7),
- As this type of statement does not represent a formal decision of the Council, no formal vote is recorded on a Presidential Statement,
- Unlike resolutions, Presidential Statements are not binding on Member States.
- A Presidential Statement may be submitted to the Security Council President/Vice President for approval at any time during the Conference, and
- For a Presidential Statement to be considered it must be organized in content and flow, be in the proper format, and be approved by the Council Secretariat.
5.0 Voting 5.0 Voting
5.1 Voting Rights. Each Security Council Member is accorded one vote,
- No delegation may cast a vote on behalf of another Member State.
5.2 Votes Required for Passage. Unless otherwise specified in these rules or by the Rules Committee, decisions in the Council require nine affirmative votes for passage,
- Historical Security Councils occurring prior to 1966, consisting of eleven members, require seven affirmative votes for passage of decisions.
5.3 Adoption by Consensus. The adoption of amendments and draft resolutions by consensus is desirable when it contributes to the effective and lasting settlement of differences, thus strengthening the authority of the United Nations,
- Any representative may request the adoption of an amendment or draft resolution by consensus at any time after closure of debate has passed,
- For Presidential Statements, the required method of voting is adoption by consensus,
- The President shall then ask whether there is any objection to consensus,
- The President shall then ask whether there are any delegations wishing to abstain from consensus,
- Delegations abstaining from consensus will be officially recorded,
- If there is no objection, the proposal is approved by consensus, and
- If any representative objects to consensus, voting shall occur as otherwise stated in these rules.
5.4 Method of Voting. The Council shall normally vote on motions by a show of raised placards or other method as indicated by the President,
- The votes of Council Members on all substantive matters shall be officially recorded, and all substantive matters are subject to the Consent of the Permanent Members, regardless of the means by which they are voted upon (rule 5.8),
- Any delegation may request a roll call vote on substantive matters, unless adopted by consensus; the President may grant a request by a delegation for a roll call vote on any substantive matter, and the President’s decision on such a request is not subject to appeal,
- When applicable, roll shall be called in English alphabetical order beginning with a Member selected at random by the Vice President,
- Representatives shall respond with “yes,” “no,” “abstain” or “abstain from the order,” and
- A Member may abstain from the order of voting once during a roll call; a second abstention from the order of voting will be recorded as an abstention.
5.5 Conduct During Voting. Immediately prior to a vote, the President shall describe to the Council the proposal to be voted on, and shall explain the consequences of a “yes” or a “no” vote. Voting shall begin upon the President’s declaration, “we are now in voting procedure,” and end when the results of the vote are announced,
- Following Closure of Debate, and prior to entering voting procedure, the President shall pause briefly to allow delegations the opportunity to make any relevant motions,
- Relevant motions prior to a vote include Adoption by Consensus (rule 5.3), Suspension of the Meeting (rule 7.1), Adjournment of the Meeting (rule 7.2), Enter Consultative Session (rule 7.7) and Division of the Question (rule 7.12), and
- Once in voting procedure, no representative shall interrupt the voting except on a Point of Order or Point of Information concerning the actual conduct of the vote.
5.6 Changes of Votes. At the end of roll call, but before Rights of Explanation (rule 5.7) are granted and the subsequent announcement of the vote, the Vice President will ask for any vote changes. Any delegation that desires to change its recorded vote may do so at that time.
5.7 Rights of Explanation. Rights of Explanation are permitted on all substantive votes after voting. The President may limit the time for Rights of Explanation.
5.8 Consent of the Five Permanent Members. As established in the Charter of the United Nations, each of the five Permanent Members (China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States) shall have the right to veto any substantive matter which comes to a vote before the Security Council,
- A substantive matter which has a majority of votes in favor but receives a “no” by any Permanent Member fails due to lack of consent of the Permanent Members.
6.0 Points of Procedure in Order of Priority 6.0 Points of Procedure in Order of Priority
6.1 Point of Order. During the discussion of any matter, a representative may rise to a Point of Order if the representative believes that the Council is proceeding in a manner contrary to these rules,
- The representative must identify their point in the method indicated by the President and will be recognized immediately by the President and the point ruled on,
- A representative rising to a Point of Order may not speak substantively on any matter,
- If a representative’s ability to participate in the Council’s deliberations is impaired for any reason, the representative may rise to a Point of Order,
- A Point of Order may interrupt a speaker, and
- See also Speeches (rule 2.3).
6.2 Point of Information. A Point of Information is raised to the President if a representative wishes to obtain a clarification of procedure or a statement of the matters before the Council,
- The representative must identify their point in the method indicated by the President,
- A Point of Information may not interrupt a speaker, and
- See also Speeches (rule 2.3).
6.3 Point of Inquiry. During substantive debate, a representative may question a speaker by rising to a Point of Inquiry,
- Questions must be directed through the President and may be made only after the speaker has concluded his/her remarks, but before he/she has yielded the floor,
- The representative must identify their point in the method indicated by the President,
- A Point of Inquiry may not interrupt a speaker, and
- See also Speeches (rule 2.3).
7.0 Motions in Order of Priority 7.0 Motions in Order of Priority
7.1 Suspension of the Meeting. During the discussion of any matter, a representative may move to suspend the meeting. Suspending a meeting recesses it for the time specified in the motion,
- The motion is not debatable,
- The President may request that the delegation making the motion modify the time of suspension, and
- If the motion passes, upon reconvening the Council will continue its business from the point at which suspension was moved, unless otherwise stated in these rules.
7.2 Adjournment of the Meeting. The motion of adjournment of the meeting means that all business of the Council has been completed, and that the Council will not reconvene until the next annual session,
- The motion is not debatable,
- The President may refuse to recognize a motion to adjourn the meeting if the Council still has business before it, and
- This decision is not appealable.
7.3 Adjournment of Debate. During the discussion of any draft resolution, amendment or agenda topic before the Council, a representative may move for adjournment of debate,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall be put to a vote,
- Adjournment of debate on a draft resolution or amendment has the effect of removing that item from consideration and allows the committee to move on to another draft resolution or amendment,
- An adjourned draft resolution can be resubmitted to the floor by any delegation, at the discretion of the President as to the dilatory nature of such a motion,
- Adjourning debate on an agenda topic has the effect of postponing debate on the topic and allowing the Council to move on to consideration of other topics or issues, and
- The Council may return to discussion of an agenda topic by changing the order of consideration of the working agenda (Rule 7.9).
7.4 Closure of Debate on an Agenda Topic. A representative may move to close debate on an agenda topic at any time during the discussion of that topic. The effect of this motion, if passed, is to bring the draft resolution that is on the floor to a vote,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote, and
- If no draft resolution is on the floor, the effect of this motion is to end debate on this topic, removing it from the working agenda and moving to the next topic on the working agenda.
7.5 Closure of Debate. A representative may move to close debate on a draft resolution or amendment at any time during the discussion of that item. The effect of this motion is to bring the issue under discussion to an immediate vote,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote,
- Representatives should specify whether the motion for closure applies to an amendment or a draft resolution,
- If closure passes on a draft resolution or agenda topic, all amendments on the floor will be voted upon in the reverse order from which they were moved to the floor, and
- After voting on all amendments is completed, the draft resolution as amended, shall be voted upon in accordance with these rules.
At the conclusion of voting procedure, the draft resolution or amendment being voted on is removed from consideration, regardless of whether it passes or fails. Debate then continues on the current agenda topic.
7.6 Appealing a Decision of the President. Rulings of the President are appealable unless otherwise specified in these rules,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote,
- An appeal must be made immediately following the ruling in question,
- This motion may be made by a delegation that has been recognized through a Point of Order,
- The President shall put the question as follows: “Shall the decision of the President be upheld?” A “yes” vote supports the President’s decision; a “no” vote signifies objection,
- The decision of the President shall be upheld by a tie, and
- Rulings by the President on the following rules or motions are not appealable: Diplomatic Courtesy (rule 2.2), Right of Reply (rule 2.5), Dilatory Motions (rule 2.7), granting of a roll call vote (rule 5.4), Adjournment of the Meeting (rule 7.2), and any time a ruling by the President is a direct quotation from these Rules of Procedure.
7.7 Consultative Session. The Council may choose to suspend the rules if the Members determine that this process will better facilitate the discussion of a particular issue,
- The motion should specify a length of time or topic, and a moderator, if desired, for the consultative session,
- This can be set to a specific time, or based on the discussion of a specific amendment, draft resolution or agenda topic (rule 2.9),
- A moderator can be a Council Member or Secretariat Member, and
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote.
7.8 Add an Agenda Topic. A motion to add an agenda topic to the working agenda is in order during any Council session,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote,
- Once an issue is added as an agenda topic, it is placed as the last topic on the working agenda.
7.9 Change the Order of Consideration of the Working Agenda. A motion to change the order of consideration of topics on the working agenda is in order during any formal session. The effect of this motion is to change the order in which agenda topics are to be discussed by the Council,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote, and
- The delegation making this motion must state, in the motion, the new order in which the agenda topics are to be considered.
7.10 Set Working Agenda. At the start of each daily session the Security Council shall establish a working agenda (rule 1.11). A delegation may move to set the working agenda,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote,
- The motion must include the order in which agenda topics are to be considered, and
- A working agenda does not have to contain all agenda topics.
7.11 Limits on Debate. A motion to limit or extend the time allotted to each delegation, or limit the number of times each delegation can speak on any matter,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote,
- The time allotted for speakers on amendments, draft resolutions and agenda topics shall be no less than three minutes,
- The time allotted for non-substantive speeches shall be no less than one minute,
- This motion may limit the number of Points of Inquiry a speaker may accept to a minimum of one, and
- A motion to limit the time of debate on an agenda topic, draft resolution, or amendment is also in order.
7.12 Division of the Question. A motion to divide the question, proposing that clauses of an amendment or draft resolution be voted on separately, is in order at any time prior to entering voting procedure on the amendment or draft resolution,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote,
- No debate or vote is necessary if the sponsor(s) of the draft resolution does not object to the division,
- If a vote has previously been taken on a contested amendment to the draft resolution, any Council Member may object to division and require a vote,
- After a motion for Division of the Question passes, no other motion for Division of the Question is in order on that amendment or draft resolution,
- Those clauses of the amendment or draft resolution which are approved shall then be put to a vote as a whole, and
- If division causes a draft resolution to no longer be in proper format (rule 4.1), the proposal as a whole is rejected.
7.13 Consideration of Draft Resolutions. A draft resolution may be moved to the floor by any delegation that receives recognition by the President,
- This motion is not debatable,
- Only one draft resolution may be on the floor at any time, and
- The delegation moving consideration will be allowed to speak first on the draft resolution, if desired.
7.14 Consideration of Amendments. To bring an amendment to the floor for discussion, a delegation must first be recognized by the President,
- This motion is not subject to debate
- The Vice President will present the amendment to the body, and
- The delegation moving consideration will be allowed to speak first on the amendment, if desired.
7.15 Party to the Dispute. When the Security Council discusses a topic/issue that involves a nation or international organization not represented on the Council, it may request a representative by moving for a Party to the Dispute,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote,
- The motion must state the United Nations Member State(s), Observer(s) or organization(s) whose representative is desired and the length of time requested and, if a Member State or Observer, whether debating privileges are to be granted,
- If debating privileges are not granted, a formal “question and answer” period shall be instituted by the President, for the purposes of questioning the representative on the issue(s) at hand,
- If it is determined that many Members or Observers outside of the Contemporary Security Council have an interest in a specific issue, the Council may declare an “open meeting” on any issue being discussed, and
- See also Participation by Non-Council Member States and International Organizations (rule 1.12).
Security Council Rules Short Form
Download a PDF version of these rules optimized for printing.
Rule
Debatable?
Vote Required
Description
6.1
Point of Order
No
None
Point out a misuse of the rules
6.2
Point of Information
No
None
Ask any question of the President, or gain a clarification
6.3
Point of Inquiry
No
None
Ask a question of a speaker at the end of their speech, prior to the Delegation’s yielding the floor
7.1
Suspension of the Meeting
No
Majority
Recess the meeting for a specific period of time
7.2
Adjournment of the Meeting
No
Majority
End the meeting for the year
7.3
Adjournment of Debate
Yes
Majority
Remove from consideration any substantive issue open to debate without a vote on the content of that proposal
7.4
Closure of Debate on an Agenda Topic
Yes
Majority
End debate on an agenda topic, bringing any draft resolution and amendments on the floor to an immediate vote
7.5
Closure of Debate
Yes
Majority
End debate on any substantive issue open to debate and bring it to an immediate vote
7.6
Appealing a Decision of the President
Yes
Majority
Challenge a ruling made by the President
7.7
Consultative Session
Yes
Majority
Suspend rules and move to an informal debate session
7.8
Add an Agenda Topic
Yes
Majority
Add an agenda topic to the working agenda
7.9
Change the Order of Consideration of the Working Agenda
Yes
Majority
Change the order in which agenda items are set on the working agenda
7.10
Set Working Agenda
Yes
Majority
Set the daily order for the working agenda
7.11
Limits on Debate
Yes
Majority
Impose (or repeal) a limit on the length of debate
7.12
Division of the Question
Yes
Majority
Divide a draft resolution or amendment into two or more clauses, each to be voted on separately after Closure of Debate
7.13
Consideration of Draft Resolutions
No
None
Bring a draft resolution to the floor for discussion
7.14
Consideration of Amendments
No
None
Bring an amendment to the floor for discussion
7.15
Party to the Dispute
Yes
Majority
Request a non-Security Council member be invited to the session
Notes:
- A majority in the Security Council shall always be 9 votes.
- Historical Security Councils set before 1965 will require a 7 vote majority for passage.
- Any motion may be seconded, but no seconds are required in the Security Council.
Topics
1.0 Administrative 1.0 Administrative
1.1 The Secretariat. The Secretariat consists of the volunteer staff members of American Model United Nations (AMUN).
1.2 Rules Committee. The President of the General Assembly, the Director of Rules and Procedures, the Director of Security Council Procedures, the Vice President of the General Assembly and one other person as appointed by the Secretary-General shall compose the membership of the Rules Committee.
1.3 Credentials. All questions concerning the validity of representative credentials shall be submitted in writing to the Secretariat,
- The Secretariat has sole authority to create and distribute credentials,
- The Secretariat has sole authority to decide all questions concerning credentials, and
- Representatives must display approved credentials at all times while on the Conference premises.
1.4 Quorum. A quorum is made up of all Member States; to begin a Council session, all Members must be present,
- The Secretariat reserves the right to adjust quorum as it deems necessary.
1.5 Security Council Officers. The Secretariat shall appoint the Presidents and Vice Presidents of the Security Council and shall select any other positions necessary to help conduct the sessions of the Council.
1.6 General Authority of the Security Council President. In addition to exercising such authority as conferred upon the President elsewhere in these rules, the President shall:
- Declare the opening and closing of each session,
- Ensure the observance of the rules,
- Facilitate the discussions of the Council and accord the right to speak,
- Advise the Council on methods of procedure that will enable the body to accomplish its goals,
- Rule on points and motions and, subject to these rulings, have complete control of the proceedings of the Council and the maintenance of order at its meetings, and
- During the course of the session, the President may propose Suspension of the Meeting (rule 7.1), Adjournment of the Meeting (rule 7.2), Closure of Debate (rule 7.5), Consultative Session (rule 7.7), and Limits on Debate (rule 7.11).
The President is under the direct authority of the Rules Committee and may be directed to inform the Council on matters of procedure if such action is deemed necessary by the Rules Committee.
1.7 Absence of Council President. If the Council President should find it necessary to be absent during any part of a Council session, the President shall designate an individual, normally the Vice President, to chair the Council session with the same authority.
1.8 Attendance at Security Council Sessions. Each Security Council Member delegation assumes the responsibility to have a minimum of one accredited representative at each Council session.
1.9 Emergency Council Sessions. Emergency Security Council Sessions may be called by the Secretariat at any time international conflicts require immediate Council attention, as established in the Charter of the United Nations.
1.10 Provisional Agenda. The Secretariat shall distribute a provisional agenda to all delegations prior to the start of the Conference,
- This agenda in no way limits the Council’s topics,
- This agenda in no way confirms the inclusion of topics during the Council’s deliberations, and
- The provisional agenda does not constitute a default agenda for the Council.
1.11 Daily Order of Consideration of Agenda Topics. The Council will establish the daily order of consideration of agenda topics at the start of each daily session. Once established, this will become the working agenda for the duration of that day,
- Agenda topics will be discussed in the order in which they appear on the working agenda (rule 7.10), and
- A delegation wishing to change this order may move to add an agenda topic (rule 7.8) and change the order of consideration of the working agenda (rule 7.9).
1.12 Participation by Non-Council Member States and International Organizations. When an issue before the Security Council involves a non-Council United Nations Member State or Observer, the Council may request that the delegation be represented during Council sessions in which the issue is being discussed,
- To do this a Council Member must move that the Member or Observer be brought as a Party to the Dispute (rule 7.15),
- A non-Council United Nations Member or Observer that has been requested to attend Council sessions will usually be given debating privileges, allowing the delegation to be recognized by the President during debate,
- A non-Council United Nations Member State or Observer may submit draft resolutions or amendments, but may not move these to the floor or vote at any time, and
- A non-Council Member requested to attend a Council session, but not given debating privileges, will be subject to a question and answer period.
When discussing any issue, if the Security Council finds it necessary to have a representative of a non-United Nations Member State, an international organization or any other persons it considers competent for the purpose present, the Council may request one by means of Party to the Dispute (rule 7.15). A representative will be made available to the Council in a timely fashion,
- These representatives may not be given debating privileges, but will be subject to a question and answer period, and
- The Secretariat will assume full responsibility to certify representatives’ credentials prior to their appearance before the Council.
Due to technical and logistical limitations the Contemporary Security Council will not be able to declare an “open meeting” during any virtual session.
1.13 Security Council Priority Relating to Issues Concerning the Maintenance of International Peace and Security. The Security Council, as established in the United Nations Charter, shall have priority over the General Assembly on issues that pertain to the maintenance of international peace and security,
- Issues of this type, while under discussion in the Security Council, shall be seized from General Assembly action,
- General Assembly draft resolutions that deal with a seized issue may be discussed and amended, but no final vote on the draft resolution may be taken, and
- Accordingly, any General Assembly draft resolution pertaining to a seized issue may be discussed and amended but cannot be put to a final vote in the General Assembly until the Security Council has completed its deliberations on the issue.
If no resolution has been adopted, the Security Council will be considered to have completed its deliberations on a seized issue once that agenda topic is no longer under discussion. The Council may declare itself actively seized on a topic by stating this in a resolution; this seizure will prevent the General Assembly from taking action until a two-hour time period has elapsed. General Assembly representatives will be kept informed by the Secretary-General of any seized issues.
2.0 General Rules 2.0 General Rules
2.1 Statements by the Secretariat. The Secretary-General or any member of the Secretariat may make verbal or written statements to the Security Council at any time.
2.2 Diplomatic Courtesy. All participants in the AMUN Conference must accord Diplomatic Courtesy to all credentialed representatives, Secretariat Members, Faculty Advisors and Observers at all times,
- Representatives who persist in obvious attempts to disrupt the session shall be subject to expulsion from the Council by the President,
- The Secretariat reserves the right to expel any representative or delegation from the Conference, and
- This decision is not appealable.
2.3 Speeches. No representative may address the Council without obtaining the permission of the President,
- Delegations, not representatives, are recognized to speak; more than one representative from the same delegation may speak when the delegation is recognized,
- Speakers must keep their remarks germane to the subject under discussion,
- A time limit may be established for speeches (rule 7.11),
- Representatives, at the conclusion of a substantive speech, will be allowed, if they are willing, to answer questions concerning their speech,
- A delegation that desires to ask a question of the speaker should signify by raising a Point of Inquiry (rule 6.3),
- All questions and replies are made through the President,
- A speaker who desires to make a motion may do so after speaking and accepting points of inquiry, but prior to yielding the floor, and
- By making a motion the speaker yields the floor.
2.4 Recognition of Speakers. Delegations wishing to speak on an item before the body will signify by raising their placards (or the virtual equivalent as directed by the President),
- The exception to this rule occurs on any Point of Order (rule 6.1), Information (rule 6.2), or Inquiry (rule 6.3), at which time a representative should indicate their motion to the President in the manner directed by the President.
- Points will be recognized in the order of their priority,
- Motions may not be made from Points of Order (rule 6.1), Information (rule 6.2) or Inquiry (rule 6.3), except
- A motion to Appeal the Decision of the President (rule 7.6), may be made when recognized for a Point of Order.
- The President shall recognize speakers in a fair and orderly manner, and
- Speakers’ lists will not be used, except during an open meeting (rule 1.12).
2.5 Right of Reply. The President may accord a Right of Reply to any representative if a speech by another representative contains unusual or extraordinary language clearly insulting to personal or national dignity,
- Requests for a Right of Reply shall be made in writing to the President,
- Requests shall contain the specific language which was found to be insulting to personal or national dignity,
- The President may limit the time for reply,
- There shall be no reply to a reply, and
- This decision is not appealable.
2.6 Withdrawal of Motions. A motion may be withdrawn by its proposer at any time before voting on it has begun,
- A withdrawn motion may be reintroduced by any other delegation.
2.7 Dilatory Motions. The President may rule out of order any motion repeating or closely approximating a recent previous motion on which the Council has already rendered an opinion,
- This decision is not appealable.
2.8 Open Debate on Motions. Representatives wishing to speak to a motion may do so for any motions which are subject to open debate,
- The President shall declare the opening and closing of debate on motions,
- Points of Inquiry are not in order during this debate,
- Motions of higher priority than the one being debated may be made from the floor during open debate,
- The President will declare debate closed when no other delegation signifies its desire to speak,
- Closure of open debate may not be moved by a delegation from the floor, and
- The body will move to an immediate vote on the motion following the President’s declaration of closure.
2.9 Consultative Session. The Council may choose to suspend its formal rules and enter an informal consultative session moderated by the Council President if the Members determine that this process will better facilitate the discussion of a particular issue,
- The Council will move immediately into a formal session once the time period or topic set for the Consultative Session has expired (rule 7.7).
3.0 Rules That Relate to the Rules 3.0 Rules That Relate to the Rules
3.1 Rule Priority and Procedure. The rules contained in this handbook are the official rules of procedure of American Model United Nations and will be used for all Council sessions. These rules take precedence over any other set of rules.
3.2 Precedence of Rules. Proceedings in the Security Council of AMUN shall be conducted under the following precedence of rules
- AMUN Rules of Procedure,
- AMUN Security Council Order of Precedence of the Rules Short Form,
- Rulings by the Rules Committee,
- Historical usage of the AMUN Rules of Procedure,
- Historical usage of the United Nations Rules of Procedure, and
- The Charter of the United Nations.
3.3 The Order of Precedence of Motions. The order of precedence of motions is listed in order of priority in both the Security Council Precedence Short Form and in these rules under Section 7, “Motions in Order of Priority.”
3.4 Rule Changes. The Rules Committee reserves the right to make changes to these rules at any time. Should a change occur, it will be communicated to the representatives in a timely manner.
3.5 Rule Priority and Procedure. The rules contained in this handbook are the official rules of procedure of AMUN and will be used for all Council sessions. These rules take precedence over any other set of rules.
3.6 Precedence of Rules. Proceedings in the Security Council of AMUN shall be conducted under the following precedence of rules:
- AMUN Rules of Procedure,
- AMUN Security Council Order of Precedence of the Rules Short Form (see page 40),
- Rulings by the Rules Committee,
- Historical usage of the AMUN Rules of Procedure,
- Historical usage of the United Nations Rules of Procedure,
- The Charter of the United Nations.
3.7 The Order of Precedence of Motions. The order of precedence of motions is listed in order of priority in both the Security Council Precedence of the Rules Short Form and in these rules under Section 7, Motions in Order of Priority. These motions, in the order given, have precedence over all other proposals or motions before the Security Council.
3.8 Rule Changes. The Rules Committee reserves the right to make changes to these rules at any time. Should a change occur, it will be communicated to the representatives in a timely manner.
4.0 Draft Resolutions, Amendments & Statements 4.0 Draft Resolutions, Amendments & Statements
4.1 Definition of Draft Resolutions. A draft resolution is a written proposal consisting of at least one preambular and one operative clause.
4.2 Draft Resolutions. Draft resolutions may be submitted to the Security Council President/Vice President for approval at any time during the Conference,
- For a draft resolution to be considered it must be organized in content and flow, in the proper format and approved by the Council Dais,
- Approved resolutions will be assigned an identifying number by the Vice President, and
- After acceptance, draft resolutions shall be processed in the order in which they are received and distributed to all delegations as soon as feasible.
A draft resolution that has been distributed may be proposed when the Council considers the agenda topic that is the subject of the draft resolution,
- Only one draft resolution may be considered at any time during formal debate,
- Once a draft resolution is on the floor for discussion, additional sponsors may only be added to that draft resolution with the consent of the original sponsor(s),
- Once a vote has been taken on a contested amendment to a draft resolution, no additional sponsors may be added,
- Friendly amendments (rule 4.4) do not limit the addition of sponsors as noted above, and
- See also Closure of Debate on an Agenda Topic (rule 7.4), Closure of Debate (rule 7.5), and Consideration of Amendments (rule 7.14).
4.3 Definition of Amendments. An amendment to a draft resolution is a written proposal that adds to, deletes from, or revises any part of a draft resolution.
4.4 Amendments. All amendments must be submitted on an official amendment form to the President/Vice President for approval,
- For an amendment to be considered it must be organized in content and flow, be in the proper format, and be approved by the Council Dais,
- Approved amendments will be assigned an identification letter by the Vice President, and
- Typographical errors in a draft resolution will be corrected by the Council Secretariat and announced to the body.
One or more amendments may be considered on the floor at any given time (see also Closure of Debate on an Agenda Topic (rule 7.4), Closure of Debate (rule 7.5), and Consideration of Amendments (rule 7.14)).
An amendment will be considered “friendly” if all sponsors of the draft resolution are also sponsors of the amendment,
- A friendly amendment becomes part of a draft resolution upon the announcement that it is accepted by the dais,
- No vote is required to add a friendly amendment to a draft resolution.
- The President shall announce the acceptance of a friendly amendment on the first opportunity at which no speaker has the floor, and
- Friendly amendments cannot be accepted after a vote has been taken on a contested amendment or after closure of debate on the resolution has been moved.
4.5 Withdrawal of Sponsorship. Sponsorship of a resolution or amendment may be withdrawn at any time before entering into voting procedure on the item,
- Sponsorship of a resolution may not be withdrawn after a vote has been taken on a contested amendment,
- If a draft resolution or amendment has all sponsorship withdrawn, any delegation may take up sponsorship of that draft resolution or amendment by informing the President, and
- If all sponsors withdraw from a draft resolution or amendment, it is automatically removed from consideration.
4.6 Definition of Presidential Statements. The Security Council may choose to issue a Presidential Statement on issues which do not warrant a resolution. This statement is formally issued by the President of the Council, but is drafted by the body, or its designees.
4.7 Presidential Statements. Presidential Statements are discussed, drafted and accepted in informal debate or outside of a formal Council session,
- This statement must be accepted by a consensus of the Council during a Consultative Session (rule 7.7),
- As this type of statement does not represent a formal decision of the Council, no formal vote is recorded on a Presidential Statement,
- Unlike resolutions, Presidential Statements are not binding on Member States.
- A Presidential Statement may be submitted to the Security Council President/Vice President for approval at any time during the Conference, and
- For a Presidential Statement to be considered it must be organized in content and flow, be in the proper format, and be approved by the Council Secretariat.
5.0 Voting 5.0 Voting
5.1 Voting Rights. Each Security Council Member is accorded one vote,
- No delegation may cast a vote on behalf of another Member State.
5.2 Votes Required for Passage. Unless otherwise specified in these rules or by the Rules Committee, decisions in the Council require nine affirmative votes for passage,
- Historical Security Councils occurring prior to 1966, consisting of eleven members, require seven affirmative votes for passage of decisions.
5.3 Adoption by Consensus. The adoption of amendments and draft resolutions by consensus is desirable when it contributes to the effective and lasting settlement of differences, thus strengthening the authority of the United Nations,
- Any representative may request the adoption of an amendment or draft resolution by consensus at any time after closure of debate has passed,
- For Presidential Statements, the required method of voting is adoption by consensus,
- The President shall then ask whether there is any objection to consensus,
- The President shall then ask whether there are any delegations wishing to abstain from consensus,
- Delegations abstaining from consensus will be officially recorded,
- If there is no objection, the proposal is approved by consensus, and
- If any representative objects to consensus, voting shall occur as otherwise stated in these rules.
5.4 Method of Voting. The Council shall normally vote on motions by a show of raised placards or other method as indicated by the President,
- The votes of Council Members on all substantive matters shall be officially recorded, and all substantive matters are subject to the Consent of the Permanent Members, regardless of the means by which they are voted upon (rule 5.8),
- Any delegation may request a roll call vote on substantive matters, unless adopted by consensus; the President may grant a request by a delegation for a roll call vote on any substantive matter, and the President’s decision on such a request is not subject to appeal,
- When applicable, roll shall be called in English alphabetical order beginning with a Member selected at random by the Vice President,
- Representatives shall respond with “yes,” “no,” “abstain” or “abstain from the order,” and
- A Member may abstain from the order of voting once during a roll call; a second abstention from the order of voting will be recorded as an abstention.
5.5 Conduct During Voting. Immediately prior to a vote, the President shall describe to the Council the proposal to be voted on, and shall explain the consequences of a “yes” or a “no” vote. Voting shall begin upon the President’s declaration, “we are now in voting procedure,” and end when the results of the vote are announced,
- Following Closure of Debate, and prior to entering voting procedure, the President shall pause briefly to allow delegations the opportunity to make any relevant motions,
- Relevant motions prior to a vote include Adoption by Consensus (rule 5.3), Suspension of the Meeting (rule 7.1), Adjournment of the Meeting (rule 7.2), Enter Consultative Session (rule 7.7) and Division of the Question (rule 7.12), and
- Once in voting procedure, no representative shall interrupt the voting except on a Point of Order or Point of Information concerning the actual conduct of the vote.
5.6 Changes of Votes. At the end of roll call, but before Rights of Explanation (rule 5.7) are granted and the subsequent announcement of the vote, the Vice President will ask for any vote changes. Any delegation that desires to change its recorded vote may do so at that time.
5.7 Rights of Explanation. Rights of Explanation are permitted on all substantive votes after voting. The President may limit the time for Rights of Explanation.
5.8 Consent of the Five Permanent Members. As established in the Charter of the United Nations, each of the five Permanent Members (China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States) shall have the right to veto any substantive matter which comes to a vote before the Security Council,
- A substantive matter which has a majority of votes in favor but receives a “no” by any Permanent Member fails due to lack of consent of the Permanent Members.
6.0 Points of Procedure in Order of Priority 6.0 Points of Procedure in Order of Priority
6.1 Point of Order. During the discussion of any matter, a representative may rise to a Point of Order if the representative believes that the Council is proceeding in a manner contrary to these rules,
- The representative must identify their point in the method indicated by the President and will be recognized immediately by the President and the point ruled on,
- A representative rising to a Point of Order may not speak substantively on any matter,
- If a representative’s ability to participate in the Council’s deliberations is impaired for any reason, the representative may rise to a Point of Order,
- A Point of Order may interrupt a speaker, and
- See also Speeches (rule 2.3).
6.2 Point of Information. A Point of Information is raised to the President if a representative wishes to obtain a clarification of procedure or a statement of the matters before the Council,
- The representative must identify their point in the method indicated by the President,
- A Point of Information may not interrupt a speaker, and
- See also Speeches (rule 2.3).
6.3 Point of Inquiry. During substantive debate, a representative may question a speaker by rising to a Point of Inquiry,
- Questions must be directed through the President and may be made only after the speaker has concluded his/her remarks, but before he/she has yielded the floor,
- The representative must identify their point in the method indicated by the President,
- A Point of Inquiry may not interrupt a speaker, and
- See also Speeches (rule 2.3).
7.0 Motions in Order of Priority 7.0 Motions in Order of Priority
7.1 Suspension of the Meeting. During the discussion of any matter, a representative may move to suspend the meeting. Suspending a meeting recesses it for the time specified in the motion,
- The motion is not debatable,
- The President may request that the delegation making the motion modify the time of suspension, and
- If the motion passes, upon reconvening the Council will continue its business from the point at which suspension was moved, unless otherwise stated in these rules.
7.2 Adjournment of the Meeting. The motion of adjournment of the meeting means that all business of the Council has been completed, and that the Council will not reconvene until the next annual session,
- The motion is not debatable,
- The President may refuse to recognize a motion to adjourn the meeting if the Council still has business before it, and
- This decision is not appealable.
7.3 Adjournment of Debate. During the discussion of any draft resolution, amendment or agenda topic before the Council, a representative may move for adjournment of debate,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall be put to a vote,
- Adjournment of debate on a draft resolution or amendment has the effect of removing that item from consideration and allows the committee to move on to another draft resolution or amendment,
- An adjourned draft resolution can be resubmitted to the floor by any delegation, at the discretion of the President as to the dilatory nature of such a motion,
- Adjourning debate on an agenda topic has the effect of postponing debate on the topic and allowing the Council to move on to consideration of other topics or issues, and
- The Council may return to discussion of an agenda topic by changing the order of consideration of the working agenda (Rule 7.9).
7.4 Closure of Debate on an Agenda Topic. A representative may move to close debate on an agenda topic at any time during the discussion of that topic. The effect of this motion, if passed, is to bring the draft resolution that is on the floor to a vote,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote, and
- If no draft resolution is on the floor, the effect of this motion is to end debate on this topic, removing it from the working agenda and moving to the next topic on the working agenda.
7.5 Closure of Debate. A representative may move to close debate on a draft resolution or amendment at any time during the discussion of that item. The effect of this motion is to bring the issue under discussion to an immediate vote,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote,
- Representatives should specify whether the motion for closure applies to an amendment or a draft resolution,
- If closure passes on a draft resolution or agenda topic, all amendments on the floor will be voted upon in the reverse order from which they were moved to the floor, and
- After voting on all amendments is completed, the draft resolution as amended, shall be voted upon in accordance with these rules.
At the conclusion of voting procedure, the draft resolution or amendment being voted on is removed from consideration, regardless of whether it passes or fails. Debate then continues on the current agenda topic.
7.6 Appealing a Decision of the President. Rulings of the President are appealable unless otherwise specified in these rules,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote,
- An appeal must be made immediately following the ruling in question,
- This motion may be made by a delegation that has been recognized through a Point of Order,
- The President shall put the question as follows: “Shall the decision of the President be upheld?” A “yes” vote supports the President’s decision; a “no” vote signifies objection,
- The decision of the President shall be upheld by a tie, and
- Rulings by the President on the following rules or motions are not appealable: Diplomatic Courtesy (rule 2.2), Right of Reply (rule 2.5), Dilatory Motions (rule 2.7), granting of a roll call vote (rule 5.4), Adjournment of the Meeting (rule 7.2), and any time a ruling by the President is a direct quotation from these Rules of Procedure.
7.7 Consultative Session. The Council may choose to suspend the rules if the Members determine that this process will better facilitate the discussion of a particular issue,
- The motion should specify a length of time or topic, and a moderator, if desired, for the consultative session,
- This can be set to a specific time, or based on the discussion of a specific amendment, draft resolution or agenda topic (rule 2.9),
- A moderator can be a Council Member or Secretariat Member, and
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote.
7.8 Add an Agenda Topic. A motion to add an agenda topic to the working agenda is in order during any Council session,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote,
- Once an issue is added as an agenda topic, it is placed as the last topic on the working agenda.
7.9 Change the Order of Consideration of the Working Agenda. A motion to change the order of consideration of topics on the working agenda is in order during any formal session. The effect of this motion is to change the order in which agenda topics are to be discussed by the Council,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote, and
- The delegation making this motion must state, in the motion, the new order in which the agenda topics are to be considered.
7.10 Set Working Agenda. At the start of each daily session the Security Council shall establish a working agenda (rule 1.11). A delegation may move to set the working agenda,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote,
- The motion must include the order in which agenda topics are to be considered, and
- A working agenda does not have to contain all agenda topics.
7.11 Limits on Debate. A motion to limit or extend the time allotted to each delegation, or limit the number of times each delegation can speak on any matter,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote,
- The time allotted for speakers on amendments, draft resolutions and agenda topics shall be no less than three minutes,
- The time allotted for non-substantive speeches shall be no less than one minute,
- This motion may limit the number of Points of Inquiry a speaker may accept to a minimum of one, and
- A motion to limit the time of debate on an agenda topic, draft resolution, or amendment is also in order.
7.12 Division of the Question. A motion to divide the question, proposing that clauses of an amendment or draft resolution be voted on separately, is in order at any time prior to entering voting procedure on the amendment or draft resolution,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote,
- No debate or vote is necessary if the sponsor(s) of the draft resolution does not object to the division,
- If a vote has previously been taken on a contested amendment to the draft resolution, any Council Member may object to division and require a vote,
- After a motion for Division of the Question passes, no other motion for Division of the Question is in order on that amendment or draft resolution,
- Those clauses of the amendment or draft resolution which are approved shall then be put to a vote as a whole, and
- If division causes a draft resolution to no longer be in proper format (rule 4.1), the proposal as a whole is rejected.
7.13 Consideration of Draft Resolutions. A draft resolution may be moved to the floor by any delegation that receives recognition by the President,
- This motion is not debatable,
- Only one draft resolution may be on the floor at any time, and
- The delegation moving consideration will be allowed to speak first on the draft resolution, if desired.
7.14 Consideration of Amendments. To bring an amendment to the floor for discussion, a delegation must first be recognized by the President,
- This motion is not subject to debate
- The Vice President will present the amendment to the body, and
- The delegation moving consideration will be allowed to speak first on the amendment, if desired.
7.15 Party to the Dispute. When the Security Council discusses a topic/issue that involves a nation or international organization not represented on the Council, it may request a representative by moving for a Party to the Dispute,
- This motion is subject to open debate. Upon closure of the open debate period, the motion shall then be put to a vote,
- The motion must state the United Nations Member State(s), Observer(s) or organization(s) whose representative is desired and the length of time requested and, if a Member State or Observer, whether debating privileges are to be granted,
- If debating privileges are not granted, a formal “question and answer” period shall be instituted by the President, for the purposes of questioning the representative on the issue(s) at hand,
- If it is determined that many Members or Observers outside of the Contemporary Security Council have an interest in a specific issue, the Council may declare an “open meeting” on any issue being discussed, and
- See also Participation by Non-Council Member States and International Organizations (rule 1.12).
Security Council Rules Short Form
Download a PDF version of these rules optimized for printing.
| Rule | Debatable? | Vote Required | Description | |
| 6.1 | Point of Order | No | None | Point out a misuse of the rules |
| 6.2 | Point of Information | No | None | Ask any question of the President, or gain a clarification |
| 6.3 | Point of Inquiry | No | None | Ask a question of a speaker at the end of their speech, prior to the Delegation’s yielding the floor |
| 7.1 | Suspension of the Meeting | No | Majority | Recess the meeting for a specific period of time |
| 7.2 | Adjournment of the Meeting | No | Majority | End the meeting for the year |
| 7.3 | Adjournment of Debate | Yes | Majority | Remove from consideration any substantive issue open to debate without a vote on the content of that proposal |
| 7.4 | Closure of Debate on an Agenda Topic | Yes | Majority | End debate on an agenda topic, bringing any draft resolution and amendments on the floor to an immediate vote |
| 7.5 | Closure of Debate | Yes | Majority | End debate on any substantive issue open to debate and bring it to an immediate vote |
| 7.6 | Appealing a Decision of the President | Yes | Majority | Challenge a ruling made by the President |
| 7.7 | Consultative Session | Yes | Majority | Suspend rules and move to an informal debate session |
| 7.8 | Add an Agenda Topic | Yes | Majority | Add an agenda topic to the working agenda |
| 7.9 | Change the Order of Consideration of the Working Agenda | Yes | Majority | Change the order in which agenda items are set on the working agenda |
| 7.10 | Set Working Agenda | Yes | Majority | Set the daily order for the working agenda |
| 7.11 | Limits on Debate | Yes | Majority | Impose (or repeal) a limit on the length of debate |
| 7.12 | Division of the Question | Yes | Majority | Divide a draft resolution or amendment into two or more clauses, each to be voted on separately after Closure of Debate |
| 7.13 | Consideration of Draft Resolutions | No | None | Bring a draft resolution to the floor for discussion |
| 7.14 | Consideration of Amendments | No | None | Bring an amendment to the floor for discussion |
| 7.15 | Party to the Dispute | Yes | Majority | Request a non-Security Council member be invited to the session |
Notes:
- A majority in the Security Council shall always be 9 votes.
- Historical Security Councils set before 1965 will require a 7 vote majority for passage.
- Any motion may be seconded, but no seconds are required in the Security Council.