21 June 2021, New York, USA - The United Nations Institute for Training and Research's (UNITAR) New York Office organized a full-day virtual event, “The Structure, Drafting, and Adoption of the United Nations Resolutions” on 21 July 2021. This training was supported with funding allocated from the Swedish International Development Agency’s (SIDA) contribution to the UNITAR Strategic Framework Fund, under the programme ‘Leveling The Playing Field’ which focuses on the development of skills and knowledge of Least Developing Countries. The workshop was attended by approximately 178 delegates from Permanent Missions to the UN who joined virtually from around the world. Mr. Marco A. Suazo, representing UNITAR’s New York Office, opened the seminar and briefed the event’s topic of UN resolutions and introduced panelists.

The first session "Agenda of the Assembly" was led by Ms. Radhika Ochalik, Senior Intergovernmental Affairs Officer for the General Assembly Affairs Branch. Ms. Ochalik explained the annual process to include items in the agenda of the General Assembly for UN resolutions, whose process starts with the preliminary list on February 15th and continues until the very last moment that an item can be added, which is to be included in the provisional agenda. She went through who can propose items to be included in the provisional agenda and how this proposal of inclusion should have an explanation on why an item should be included in the General Assembly. Ms. Ochalik explained further in details such as how the participants would be requesting the inclusion of an item, or the composition and role of the General Committee.

Mr. Wannes Lint, Associate Intergovernmental Affairs Officer at the General Assembly Affairs Branch, took over the second part of the session ll. He explained the process of submitting a proposal and co-sponsoring a UN Resolution, which can be done via E-Delegate. Mr. Lint then welcomed his colleague, Ms. Shalom Te Amo, from the Programme Planning and Budget Division, who went into further detail on the handling of the programme budget implications in the General Assembly plenary.  She mentioned that when a budget report has been issued, a revised or PBI estimate report should be submitted if there is any financial implication that would impact the budget. Mr. Lint then opened the floor for a Q&A discussion with participants, along with the contribution of Mr. Suazo regarding adopting conventions, which is considered a different process from that of resolutions.

The afternoon session was moderated by Ms. Ally Ottis of UNITAR NYO, who welcomed Ms. Tomoko Iwata, Senior Legal Affairs Officers at the Office of Legal Affairs, to facilitate session IV. Ms. Iwata’s session focused on decision-making processes and rules of procedures in the General Assembly, Security Council and other main UN committees. The concept of a Quorum was explained distinctly by Ms. Iwata who clarified the same with appropriate and relevant examples. Differences between Revisions and Amendments were touched upon in the session, as was the topic of Explanations of Vote before and after the Vote. Procedural motions, mainly – Rule 74: Adjournment of Debate (No Action Motion) and Rule 75: Closure of Date (Progress to Action) and Suspension and Adjournment of Meeting – were discussed in detail by Ms. Iwata.

During the second half of session IV, Ms. Iwata outlined Voting Procedures for the participants. First, the Right to Vote in reference to Article 19 of the charter of United Nations was explained. Ms. Iwata then moved on to discuss voting procedures for amendments vs. voting on separate paragraphs and wording. Required majority and consensus required for resolutions was explained, as was the topic of the withdrawal of motions and reconsideration of proposals. Finally, Ms. Iwata concluded her session by briefly describing errors and correction in the voting procedures.