UNITAR Workshop on Structure, Drafting and Adoption of UN Resolutions
26 - 27 February 2015, New York, USA – The UNITAR New York Office organized a workshop on Structure, Drafting and Adoption of UN Resolutions. The workshop took place for a day and a half and aimed at introducing the participants to the structure and form of United Nations resolutions and decisions. The workshop was part of the series of events organized by UNITAR bi-annually in order to help the new staff members of the permanent missions to the United Nations to improve their skills in the drafting of resolutions and to enable them to acquire a better knowledge of the rules and practices relating to the adoption of resolutions.
Dr. Yvonne Lodico, head of NYO formally opened the workshop, defining the aims and goals, as well as introducing the trainers: Mr. Larry D. Johnson, Former Assistant-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and Mr. Kenji Nakano, the Senior Political Affairs Officer in the General Assembly Affairs Branch at the United Nations Secretariat.
The workshop included lectures and discussions about structure and the process of drafting of resolutions, rules and practices, negotiation process and role of GA Secretariat. The final session of the workshop was a drafting exercise, where the participants were divided into subgroups and engaged in the process of drafting a UN resolution through the simulated assignment. Each group created a draft resolution, which was discussed, analyzed and commented from various angles including not only resolution style and format but also strategic and substantive aspects. Decision-making and voting systems under the Charter of the United Nations and applicable procedural rules, particularly relevant past experiences and cases, were explained in detail. Speakers explained not only statutory and customary rules but also strategic methodologies and practical tips to survive the tough resolution process. In sum, participants enjoyed practical drafting resolution exercises, as well as opportunities to explain and present the draft resolution to diplomats, with networking opportunities.