RULES OF PROCEDURE UNITED NATIONS GENDER EQUALITY AND THE

EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

CHAPTER 1 – CONDUCT REGULATIONS

RULE 1 – RULES OF PROCEDURE: DEFINITION
The Rules of Procedure have been decided upon by the Secretary-General prior to the conference
and are not subject to change. The Rules of Procedure shall regulate the proceedings of the conference.

RULE 2 – INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES

The interpretation of the Rules of Procedure shall be reserved exclusively to the
SecretaryGeneral.

RULE 3 – LANGUAGE
The official working language of the conference is English. All proceedings throughout the
committees as well as during the social events shall be conducted in English.

RULE 4 – PERSONAL CONDUCT

1. All participants, including Secretariat members and members of the Executive Committee,
shall maintain a diplomatic, respectful and courteous behavior for the entire duration of the
conference.
2. Any participant who, during committee sessions, fails to follow diplomatic conduct shall be
called to order by the chairpersons.
3. Chairpersons may suspend any participant who repeatedly disregards the code of conduct.

CHAPTER II – STAFF
RULE 5 – CREDENTIALS
1. The Secretary-General issues all credentials. Participants that have been registered before the
beginning of the conference shall be considered to have received their credentials, without further
action being necessary.
2. The participation of anyone not prior registered as a regular participant shall be subject to
confirmation by either the Secretary-General or the Deputy Secretary- General

RULE 6 – SECRETARY-GENERAL & DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL

1. The Secretary-General’s and the Deputy Secretary-General’s interpretation of the Rules of
Procedure shall prevail.
 2. The Secretary-General shall be responsible for the proper application of the rules during the
entire day program of the conference. The Secretary-General is entitled to adopt measures not stated
herein, if deemed necessary for the good functioning of the conference.
3. The Secretary-General may at any time address a committee by means of oral or written
statements and may be invited by delegates in order to answer questions.
4. The Secretary-General shall also:
a. assist the Chairpersons;
b. receive, correct and circulate documents;
c. have custody of the documents in the archives;
d. perform any other action necessary for the good functioning of the conference.
5. The Secretary-General shall have the right to
a. overrule any procedural step
b. overrule any content in an official document
c. approve or decline any of the council’s, committee’s and court’s submitted documents’
official status.
6. The Deputy Secretary-General shall be considered a direct extension of the Secretary-General
and shall have all rights and responsibilities the Secretary- General has. The decisions of the Deputy
Secretary-General shall be open for review from the Secretary-General only.

RULE 7 – CHAIRPERSONS
1. The Secretary-General has assigned two chairpersons (for UNCSW they are Director General
and Chairperson) for each committee, who shall ensure the observance of the present Rules of
Procedure. All Chairpersons shall be considered as equal before the committee.
2. The Chairpersons, subject to these rules, shall have complete control over the proceedings of
the Committee and maintain order in an objective way at its meetings.
3. The Chairpersons shall
a. declare the opening and closing of each committee session
b. set the initial speaking time
c. keep track of presence
d. direct the discussion
e. accord and withdraw the right to speak
f. open the floor to points and motions
g. put questions to the vote
h. announce decisions
4. The Chairpersons may advise the Representatives on procedural and substantive matters in
order to enable the good functioning of the Committee.
5. The Chairpersons have the right to suspend the Committee Session for a limited time. This
right is not subject to appeal.
RULE 8 – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
1. The Executive Committee is the organizing team of the conference and in that capacity shall
be responsible for all organizational and logistical aspects of the conference.
2. If not specifically stated otherwise, they shall not be subject to the rules of procedure.
 CHAPTER III – COMMITTEE RULES
RULE 9 – CHAIRPERSON’S DISCRETION
1. The Chairpersons can use their discretion to make decisions without the participants voting
on it.
2. The following elements can be decided upon, proposed or overruled at the chairperson’s
discretion:
a. All motions as outlined below,
b. All elements of time within the motions,
c. The topics proposed within the motions, or specific elements thereof.
3. The Chairpersons shall only use their discretion if it is in the interest of the smooth functioning
of the proceedings and in full accordance with the present Rules of Procedure.

RULE 10 – QUORUM
1. The Chairpersons shall declare the sessions open and permit debate to proceed if at least one
third of the committee’s participants is present.
2. Chairpersons can decide to not count participants that are officially registered but do not
regularly attend for the establishment of the quorum.

RULE 11 – ROLL CALL

1. At the beginning of each session, the Chairpersons shall take roll call to establish the presence
of the participants and calculate the majorities.
2. During roll call, participants must respond to the roll call with either ‘present’ or ‘present and
voting’. Participants, who have indicated their status as ‘present and voting’ will not be able to abstain
from substantive votes.
3. Alteration of one’s declaration of presence shall be possible via a written note to the
Chairpersons only. A change in status should then be announced to the committee by the
Chairpersons.
4. Observers can only declare themselves ‘present’ and not ‘present and voting’.

RULE 12 – INVITATION OF OBSERVERS

1. Delegates may at any time during the debates request the participation of an organization,
institution, or State not represented in the committee as an observer.
2. This request shall be made in writing to the Chairpersons, who will convey the request, if
deemed relevant to the work of the committee, to the Secretary- General. The request should specify
exactly who should be invited, to what end and why this would be beneficial for the subject at hand.
3. The Secretary-General shall inform the Committee in due time on whether the invitation has
been accepted.
 CHAPTER IV – FORMAL DEBATE
RULE 13 – DEFINITION
As formal debate shall be considered every type of debate that is not taking place within a
moderated caucus, an unmoderated caucus, or voting procedure. Cross-talking is at no time permitted
during formal debate. The silent passing of notes related to matters on the Agenda is in order unless
otherwise provided in the Rules of Procedure.

RULE 14 – OPENING STATEMENTS

At the beginning of the debate on each Agenda Item, there shall be time allotted to each present
Delegate to hold an opening speech. The timespan allotted, and the order of speakers is upon the
discretion of the Chairpersons.

RULE 15 – GENERAL SPEAKERS’ LIST

1. The General Speakers’ List shall determine the sequence of speakers for the floor during
formal debate.
2. Chairs will open the General Speakers’ List on the first topic to be discussed after the adoption
of the agenda. 3. The General Speakers’ List shall remain open and participants will be able to be
added to the
General Speakers’ List until a Motion for Closure of the Speakers’ List or a Motion for Closure of
Debate has been accepted by the committee.
4. A participant can be added to the General Speakers’ list by placing their placards vertical on
their desk.
5. A participant can not be added to the General Speakers’ List if they already figure on it.
6. A new General Speakers’ List is opened when a new topic is started, whether after completion
of the other topic or after a successful motion to table the debate.
7. The default speaker’s time on the General Speaker’s List shall be determined by the Chairs
and communicated to the committee upon opening of the first session. Delegates may change the
speaker’s time by proposing a Motion to change the Speaker’s Time.
8. If the speakers’ list runs out of speakers, debate on the topic is considered concluded, and the
committee automatically moves into voting procedure.

RULE 16 – YIELDS
1. A delegate, who has been given the floor on the General Speakers’ List and who did not
exhaust their speaker’s time, has to yield the remainder of their speaker’s time.
2. The remaining speaker’s time can either be yielded to the chairs, to another delegate, or to
questions.
3. If the delegate decides to yield their time to the chairs, the chairs will simply continue with
the proceedings.
4. If the delegate decides to yield their time to another delegate, the delegate in question shall be
given the choice to accept or not the time yielded to them. If they accept the yield, they shall have the
floor for the remaining time. Yielding speaker’s time that has been yielded to them shall not be in
order.
5. If the delegate decides to yield their time to questions, the Chairpersons shall entertain a
question and answer session for the time remaining from speech. The remaining time shall only be
counted down during the yielding delegate’s answer. If the yielding delegate does not accept a
question, no time shall be counted down. If the time runs out or there are no more questions, the floor
shall automatically return to the Chairpersons. A further yield after yielding to questions is not
possible. The yielding delegate shall remain standing until the floor returns to the chairs.
RULE 17 – RIGHT OF REPLY
1. If a remark impugns the territorial integrity or national sovereignty of a delegate’s
state, the delegate may, at the end of the latter’s speech, ask for a right of reply following the
conclusion of the controversial speech by raising their placard.
2. The delegate requesting a right of reply shall briefly repeat what has been said that they
consider as controversial.
3. The chairpersons shall then decide whether the delegate will be granted the right of
reply and give a 60 second time limit for the reply.
4. No ruling, on this question shall be subject to appeal.
5. A right of reply to a right of reply shall not be in order.
6. A right of reply may only be requested in formal debate.

CHAPTER V – POINTS
RULE 18 – GENERAL RULE REGARDING POINTS
1. Points may be introduced at any time during formal debate, without interrupting a speaker,
unless otherwise specified in these Rules of Procedure.
2. Points are used to communicate a problem to the Chairpersons and as such shall be recognized
before any speakers or motions.

RULE 19 – POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE

1. A delegate may raise a Point of Personal Privilege at any time, except during speeches, to
remove a personal discomfort, which impairs the ability to participate fully in the debate and working
of the Committee. The Representative shall rise when called by the Chairpersons and explain the
grievance.
2. A Point of Personal Privilege may interrupt a speech only if the Representative raising the
point cannot hear the speaker.

RULE 20 – POINT OF PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY

1. A delegate may raise a Point of Parliamentary Inquiry at any time, except during speeches, to
clarify a technical aspect regarding the Rules of Procedure. The delegate shall rise when called by the
Chairpersons and state the nature of the inquiry.
2. The Chairpersons shall respond to the delegate’s concern immediately and attempt to clarify
the matter without causing excessive disruption to the working of the UNCSW.
 RULE 21 – POINT OF ORDER
1. A delegate may raise a Point of Order at any time during formal debate to signal an instance
of non-adherence to the Rules of Procedure either by the Chairpersons or by another Representative
which has escaped the Chairpersons' scrutiny. The Representative shall rise when called by the
Chairpersons and briefly motivate the breach of one or more Rules of Procedure.
2. The Point of Order shall be immediately ruled upon by the Chairpersons in accordance with
the Rules of Procedure. A delegate may appeal against the ruling of the Chairperson.
3. A delegate may not, in raising a Point of Order, speak on the substance of the Topic under
discussion.
4. Delegates may under no circumstances raise a Point of Order during the speech of a fellow
delegate or when a Point of Personal Privilege or Point of Parliamentary Inquiry is being processed.

CHAPTER VI – MOTIONS
RULE 22 – GENERAL RULE REGARDING MOTIONS
1. As moderators, the Chairpersons shall be responsible for collecting motions. It is up to their
discretion when to entertain motions, and how many motions to entertain. This decision is not subject
to appeal.
2. In order for a motion to be received, there is no need for seconds to the motion.
3. In case of multiple motions on the floor, the Chairpersons shall respect the order of precedence
as determined in the present Rules of Procedure.
4. Before putting a motion to a vote, the Chairpersons shall ask for objections to the motion. In
case of objections, the motion will be put to a vote. In case there are no objections, the motion passes
without a vote. This rule only applies to motions that do not require debate.
5. In case of multiple motions of the same nature on the floor, the Chairpersons shall entertain
them in their order of disruptiveness, starting by the most disruptive one.
6. If a motion does not pass, the Chairpersons shall move on to vote upon the next motion in the
order of precedence. If a motion does pass, all previously received motions are tabled.
7. When a simple majority is required for a motion to pass, this will mean 51% of the participants
declared as present or present and voting during the preceding roll call. In case of a tie, the motion
does not pass. When a two-thirds (2/3) majority is required for a motion to pass, this will mean 2/3 of
the participants declared as present or present and voting during the preceding roll call.
8. The Chairpersons may, at their discretion, rule out any motion or element of a motion. These
decisions are subject to appeal, if not otherwise stated by the Rules of Procedure.

RULE 23 – MOTION FOR A MODERATED CAUCUS

1. A delegate may at any time when the floor is open, propose a motion for a moderated caucus,
indicating a topic to be addressed, a total duration, and an individual speaker’s time.
2. In a Moderated Caucus, Delegates can address the Committee by raising their placard.
3. This motion is procedural in nature and Observers are required to participate in the vote.
4. This motion does not require debate and needs a simple majority to pass.
 5. The Chairpersons may, at their discretion rule this motion out of order. Their decision is not
subject to appeal.
6. In case the motion passes, strict adherence to the topic initially proposed is necessary. The
Chairpersons may call to order any delegate, who does not talk to the topic of the caucus.

RULE 24 – MOTION FOR AN UNMODERATED CAUCUS

1. A delegate may at any time when the floor is open propose a motion for an unmoderated
caucus, specifying the total duration of the caucus and the topic to be addressed.
2. In an Unmoderated Caucus, delegates are free to move around in the room and speak.
Conversations shall be related to the subject.
3. This motion is procedural in nature and Observers are required to participate in the vote.
4. This motion does not require debate and needs a simple majority to pass.
5. The Chairpersons may, at their discretion, rule this motion out of order. Their decision is not
subject to appeal.
6. In case the motion passes, strict adherence to the topic initially proposed is necessary. The
Chairpersons may call to order any delegate, who does not talk to the topic of the caucus.

RULE 25 – MOTION FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE PREVIOUS CAUCUS

1. A delegate may move for an extension of the previous caucus right after the caucus has come
to an end.
2. The total duration of the extended caucus may not exceed the total duration of the previous
caucus and specificities to the caucus such as topics and individual speaker’s time are not subject to
change.
3. This motion is procedural in nature and Observers are required to participate in the vote.
4. This motion does not require debate and needs a simple majority to pass.
5. The Chairpersons may, at their discretion, rule this motion out of order. Their decision is not
subject to appeal.

RULE 26 – MOTION FOR THE SUSPENSION OF THE MEETING

1. A delegate may introduce a motion to suspend the meeting to interrupt debate.
2. This motion is only in order if an interruption of the meeting is called for in the EIMUN
2016 schedule.
3. This motion is procedural in nature and Observers are required to participate in the
vote.
4. This motion does not require debate and needs a simple majority to pass.
5. The Chairpersons may, at their discretion, rule this motion out of order. Their decision
is not subject to appeal.

RULE 27 – MOTION TO APPEAL THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR

1. A delegate may raise a Motion to appeal the Chairpersons' decision with regards to any
decision except those that are not open to appeal according to these rules of procedure.
2. This motion is a procedural motion and Observers are required to participate in the vote.
 3. This motion requires the Chairperson to speak in defense of the decision and the
Representative who raised the motion in defense of the appeal. The time allotted to each speech may
not exceed one (1) minute.
4. The Chairperson's ruling shall stand unless overruled by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the
Representatives.

RULE 28 – MOTION FOR THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE MEETING

1. A delegate may introduce a motion to adjourn the meeting on the last day of EIMUN
to conclude the conference until the following year.
2. This motion is procedural in nature and Observers are required to participate in the
vote.
3. This motion does not require debate and needs a simple majority to pass.
4. The Chairpersons will rule this motion out of order if proposed before the last day of
the conference. This decision is not subject to appeal.
RULE 29 – MOTION TO CLOSE THE DEBATE
1. A delegate may at any point during formal debate introduce a motion to close the debate on a
topic, which will result in all debates on the topic being concluded and the committee moving into
voting procedure.
2. This motion is procedural in nature and Observers are required to participate in the vote.
3. This motion requires two speakers speaking against the motion, who will be given the floor
by the Chairpersons for one (1) minute each. After the speakers, the motion shall immediately be put
to a vote, where it needs a two-thirds (2/3) majority to pass.
4. The Chairpersons may, at their discretion, rule this motion out of order. Their decision is
subject to appeal.

RULE 30 – MOTION TO CLOSE/REOPEN THE SPEAKERS’ LIST

1. A delegate may at any point during formal debate introduce a motion to close the speakers’
list, preventing additional speakers to be added to the speakers’ list.
2. This motion is procedural in nature and Observers are required to participate in the vote.
3. This motion does not require debate and needs a simple majority to pass.
4. The Chairpersons may, at their discretion, rule this motion out of order. Their decision is
subject to appeal.
5. The speakers’ list may only be reopened after a successful motion to reopen the speakers’ list,
which follows the same procedure as laid out above.

RULE 31 – MOTION TO CHANGE THE SPEAKERS’ TIME

1. Representatives may at any point during formal debate introduce a motion to change
the speakers’ time by indicating how they wish to change it and to what ends.
2. This motion is procedural in nature and Observers are required to participate in the
vote.
3. This motion does not require debate and needs a simple majority to pass.
 4. The Chairpersons may, at their discretion, rule this motion out of order. Their decision
is not subject to appeal.

RULE 32 – MOTION FOR A MOCK VOTE

1. Representatives may at any point during formal debate introduce a motion for a mock vote
while specifying exactly what document should be put to a mock vote. A mock vote on whole
documents, as well as segments of working papers and draft outcome documents is in order.
2. This motion for entering a Mock Vote is procedural in nature and Observers are required to
participate in the vote.
3. This motion does not require debate and needs a simple majority to pass.
4. The Chairpersons may, at their discretion, rule this motion out of order. Their decision is not
subject to appeal.
5. In case the motion is successful, the Chairpersons proceed to moderate the mock vote as
standard placard vote. This mock vote serves no legal purposes and is in no way binding. Participation
is not obligatory and Observers are not allowed to participate as it simulates a substantive vote. A roll
call vote during a mock vote is not in order.
RULE 33 – PRECEDENCE OF MOTIONS AND POINTS
1. For the sake of these Rules of Procedure, the Chairpersons shall consider the Motions and
Points in the following order of precedence:
a. Point of Personal Privilege
b. Point of Order
c. Point of Parliamentary Inquiry
d. Motion to Appeal the Decision of the Chair
e. Motion to Extend a Previous Caucus
f. Motion for the Suspension of the Meeting
g. Motion for the Adjournment of the Meeting
h. Motion to Table the Debate/Motion to Reconsider an Agenda Item
i. Motion to Close the Debate
j. Motion to Close the Speakers’ List/Motion to Reopen the Speakers’ List
k. Motion to Change the Speaker’s Time
l. Motion for a Mock Vote
m. Motion for an Unmoderated Caucus
n. Motion for a Moderated Caucus
2. The precedence of the Motions shall be applicable throughout all committees, if not otherwise
stated by these Rules of Procedure.
 CHAPTER VII – WRITTEN PROPOSALS
RULE 34 – GENERAL RULE PERTAINING TO DOCUMENTS
1. No documents which have not been approved by the Chairpersons may be used and referenced
during formal debate.
2. If one or more Representatives wish to introduce a document to the attention of the Committee,
the document has to be submitted to the Chairpersons for approval, in accordance with the relevant
following Rules of Procedure.

RULE 35 – WORKING PAPERS

1. Representatives may at any time during sessions introduce a Working Paper for approval to
the Chairpersons. There are no official requirements for the introduction of a Working Paper and no
Signatories or Sponsors are needed.
2. The format of this submission will be determined by the Chairpersons and communicated to
the Committee in due time.
3. The Chairpersons shall inform the Committee of any document that has been submitted to
them if they deem it relevant to the topic under discussion.
4. The Secretary-General reserves the right to withdraw one or more Working Papers, should
they be evaluated inappropriate or of no interest for the purpose of the debate.
RULE 36 – DRAFT OUTCOME DOCUMENT
1. Draft Outcome Documents are documents in the correct format and on the template provided
by the Chairpersons ready to be put to a vote by the committee. They require the formal support of
sponsors and signatories to be considered for approval by the Chairpersons.
2. The Sponsors are recognized as writers of the Draft Outcome Document. The number of
Sponsors required to introduce a Draft Outcome Document will be set by the Chairpersons according
to the size of the Committee.
3. The Signatories support the content of the Draft Outcome Document and do not have further
obligations. The number of Signatories required to introduce a Draft Resolution will be set by the
Chairs according to the size of the Committee.
4. The number of Sponsors and Signatories supporting a Draft Outcome Document shall not be
in any case inferior to one-fifth of the Members of the Committee.
5. A delegate may request that his or her country or name be added or removed from the list of
Sponsors or Signatories at any time during the debate. The request should be submitted in writing to
the Chairpersons.
6. If the Draft Outcome Document does not have the required number of Sponsors and
Signatories in any moment, it will be removed from the Floor immediately.
7. Observers cannot be Sponsors of a Draft Outcome Document. They can figure as signatories
but do not count towards achieving the threshold needed for the introduction of the document.

RULE 37 – INTRODUCTION OF A DRAFT OUTCOME DOCUMENT

1. No motion is required to introduce a Draft Outcome Document. The draft will be automatically
introduced by the Chairpersons if the requirements are met.
2. The Chairpersons, under the supervision of the Secretary-General, are requested to verify that
the document meets the requested number of sponsor and signatories and the special requirements
established for each Committee.
 3. The Secretary-General shall read and provide comments, remarks, objections and suggestions
to the Committee on the Draft Outcome Document as soon as possible, with the purpose of improving
the quality of the document.
4. Once a Draft Outcome Document has been approved by the Chairpersons and the remarks of
the Secretary-General have been taken into account, it is assigned a number in relation to the item of
the agenda under consideration and officially introduced to all the Representatives.
5. After the introduction of a Draft Outcome Document, one of the Sponsors shall read the
Operative Clauses out loud, followed by a Question and Answer session.
6. The time of the Question and Answer session is upon the discretion of the Chairpersons. Their
decision is not subject to appeal.

RULE 38 – WITHDRAWAL OF A DRAFT OUTCOME DOCUMENT

1. After having been approved by the Chairpersons, a Draft Outcome Document can be
withdrawn if all Sponsors approve the withdrawal.
2. The request for withdrawal has to be submitted in writing to the Chairpersons.
RULE 39 – AMENDMENTS
1. An Amendment is a proposal that adds, deletes or revises operative clauses of a Draft
Outcome Document. A Representative may propose Amendments on any Draft Outcome
Document that has been formally introduced. The Chairpersons may set a limit to the amount of
amendments when needed.
2. Amendments to pre-ambulatory or introductory clauses are not in order once the Draft
Outcome Document has been formally introduced. The Chairpersons will remind the delegates
when Amendments can be introduced.
3. Editorial errors in Draft Outcome Documents will be corrected without a vote.
4. The final decisions on corrections are at the discretion of the Chairpersons.

RULE 40 – INTRODUCING AMENDMENTS

1. Representatives wishing to introduce amendments will have to do so in writing, before the
committee closes debate and moves into voting procedure, specifying exactly which clauses are
affected by the amendments. One amendment can amend different clauses, however in case of a vote,
it will be voted upon as one amendment.
2. Amendments require three (3) sponsors, as well as two (2) signatories in order to be
introduced.
3. Amendments are considered friendly if all Sponsors of the Draft Outcome Document to be
amended are in favor of the amendment. It is up to the Chairpersons to verify if all Sponsors are in
favor. Friendly amendments are included immediately and without a vote into the Draft Outcome
Document.
4. Amendments are considered unfriendly if at least one Sponsor of the Draft Outcome
Document opposes the amendment. In that case, the amendment will be put to a vote to the Committee
during voting procedure before voting on the Draft Outcome Document in question. The vote on
amendments is substantive in nature.
 CHAPTER VIII – VOTING PROCEDURE
RULE 41 – CONDUCT DURING VOTING
1. The Chairpersons shall announce the end of formal debate and the beginning of voting
procedure after a successful motion to close debate or after the speakers’ list ran out of speakers.
2. Upon entering voting procedure, Representatives will not be allowed to interrupt voting
procedure except to introduce points, a motion to appeal the decision of the Chairpersons, or the
motions presented in this Chapter.
3. The motions allowed during voting procedure will be entertained in the following order of
precedence:
a. Motion to appeal the decision of the chairs
b. Motion to vote clause by clause
c. Motion to divide the question
4. During voting procedure, the doors will be sealed and no one shall be allowed to enter with
the exception of the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General and allowed personnel.
Representatives having left the room will not be allowed to reenter.
5. During voting procedure, cross-talking, the use of electronic devices and the passing of notes
is strictly forbidden.
6. If there are no documents on the floor that require adoption by the Committee, the Committee
immediately moves to the discussion on the next Agenda Item.
7. In case of a conflict between these rules and the specific committee-related rules, the latter
shall prevail.

RULE 42 – VOTING RIGHTS

1. Each full member of the committee shall have one vote.
2. Observers will not be allowed to vote on substantive matters, which include the vote
on unfriendly amendments, the vote on draft outcome documents, and the substantive section on
the vote to divide the question.

RULE 43 – SUBSTANTIVE VOTES

1. If not stated otherwise or requested by a representative, the standard voting method for
substantive votes is a vote by placard.
2. In substantive votes, representatives can either vote yes, no, abstain or pass. Representatives
whose status is indicated as “present and voting” may not abstain during substantive votes.
3. In case a Delegate passes, they will be called upon again after the Chairpersons have concluded
the rest of the roll call. When called upon, the representative having previously passed will not be
allowed to abstain.
4. In order for a substantive vote to pass, a majority of affirmative votes is required, if not
otherwise stated in these Rules of Procedure.
RULE 44 – VOTE ON UNFRIENDLY AMENDMENTS
1. The vote on unfriendly amendments shall precede the vote on the Draft Outcome Document
that it relates to.
 2. In case of multiple unfriendly amendments, the Chairpersons shall put them to a vote in the
order in which they were received.
3. In order for an unfriendly amendment to be included in the Draft Outcome Document, Rule
54 (3) applies, if not otherwise stated by these Rules of Procedure.

RULE 45 – MOTION TO DIVIDE THE QUESTION

1. Representatives can move to divide the question on specific operative clause(s) of a Draft
Outcome Document. Representatives can either decide to divide the question on single clauses or on
a group of clauses, that don’t need to be consecutive. Dividing the question on pre-ambulatory clauses
or sub-clauses is not in order.
2. The motion to divide the question requires both a procedural vote to decide whether or not to
divide the question and a substantive vote that decides whether to delete the clause(s) in question
altogether or annex them to the Draft Outcome Document.
3. The procedural vote requires two speakers in favor and two speakers opposed to dividing the
question. The vote requires a simple majority to pass. Observers are required to participate in this
vote.
4. If the procedural part of the motion passed, the Chairpersons will call for a substantive vote.
If the substantive vote receives a majority of affirmative votes, the clause(s) in question are annexed
to the Draft Outcome Document. If the substantive vote receives a majority of negative votes, the
clause(s) in question are omitted from the Draft Outcome Document.
5. After the Committee votes on all divisions, it votes on what is left of the Draft Outcome
Document.
RULE 46 – MOTION TO VOTE CLAUSE BY CLAUSE
1. Representatives can move to vote clause by clause on the operative clauses of a Draft Outcome
Document during voting procedure.
2. This motion is procedural in nature and Observers are required to participate in the vote.
3. This motion does not require debate and needs a simple majority to pass.
4. If the motion receives the required majority, the Chairpersons will proceed to vote on each
operative clause, separately. These votes will be substantive in nature. Only clauses receiving a
majority of affirmative votes will be allowed to stand.

RULE 47 – REQUEST FOR A ROLL CALL VOTE

1. A Representative wishing to vote on a Draft Outcome Document by Roll Call may do so before
the Committee votes on the Draft. 2. This request does not require a vote. It is at the Chairpersons’
discretion to grant this request. Their decision is not subject to appeal. 3. Should the Chairpersons
grant the request for a roll call vote, they shall call upon the Members of the Committee in alphabetical
order.

RULE 48 – VOTE ON DRAFT OUTCOME DOCUMENT

1. The final vote on the draft outcome document will occur after the committee has voted on all
relevant amendments and the Chairpersons have entertained all motions and points.
2. The standard voting procedure on a Draft Outcome Document is a vote by placard, if no
request for a roll call vote has been voiced.
 3. In order for a Draft Outcome Document to be accepted by the committee, the rule on
substantive votes applies, if not otherwise stated by these Rules of Procedure.

CHAPTER IX – SPECIFIC RULES

RULE 49 – SUBSTANTIVE VOTES
1. In accordance with art. 27 (3) of the Charter of the United Nations, all votes that are substantive
require the affirmative vote of nine (9) Member States, including the concurring votes of the
Permanent Members in order to pass.
2. Rule 61 (1) can, upon the discretion of the Chairpersons, be adapted, to the size of the
Committee.

RULE 50 – MOTION FOR A CLOSED-DOOR SESSION

1. Representatives may propose a motion for a closed-door session, if the item under
discussion requires secrecy.
2. This is a procedural motion and Observers are required to participate in the vote.
3. This motion does not require debate and needs a simple majority to pass.
4. The Chairpersons may rule this motion out of order. Their decision is not subject to
appeal.
5. If the motion passes, journalists will be asked to leave the room and only Members of
the UNESCO, accredited Observers and the Secretaries-General will be allowed to remain in the
room. No statements or documents will be allowed to be published during a closed-door session.
6. The session will become public again as soon as a motion for a suspension of the
meeting or for an unmoderated caucus passes.