How to Research for Model UN

Start with the basics: geography, population, GDP, government type, and key allies. Understanding your country's domestic context is essential for representing it authentically.

Key sources: CIA World Factbook, World Bank data, your country's official government website, and the UN member state profile.

Dig into your country's foreign policy positions, alliances, and regional bloc memberships. How does your country vote at the UN? What treaties has it signed? What are its red lines?

Check voting records in the UN General Assembly and Security Council. Look for statements your country's ambassador has made on relevant topics.

Read your committee's background guide thoroughly — it's the single most important prep document. Identify the key sub-issues, stakeholders, and existing UN frameworks.

Then go beyond the background guide: read recent UN reports, news articles, and academic papers on the topic. Understand what solutions have been tried and why they succeeded or failed.

Identify which countries will be your natural allies and which will oppose you. MUN is about building coalitions — you can't pass a resolution alone.

Research regional blocs (EU, AU, ASEAN, Arab League, G77, NAM) and how they vote together. Identify swing states that could join your coalition.

Write your position paper (see our position paper guide). Draft your opening speech. Prepare 3-5 clause ideas for a working paper. Create a cheat sheet with key facts and quotes.

Practice your opening speech out loud. Time yourself. Prepare for likely Points of Information that delegates might ask about your country's positions.