A country position paper (often just "position paper") is a structured pre-conference deliverable required by most Model UN committees. It compresses a delegation's research into a concise statement of where the represented government stands on the topics scheduled for debate, what policies it has already pursued, and what outcomes it will push for during committee.
A standard position paper covers three elements for each topic:
- Background and national context — how the issue affects the represented country, with reference to relevant domestic conditions, regional dynamics, or historical involvement.
- Past actions — treaties signed, votes cast in the General Assembly or Security Council, contributions to UN agencies, bilateral initiatives, and statements by the foreign ministry or head of state.
- Proposed solutions — the policies the delegate intends to advocate, ideally framed in language consistent with the country's actual diplomatic posture.
Most conferences cap papers at one page per topic or 1–2 pages total per committee, single-spaced, with citations. Formatting requirements vary: NMUN, for example, publishes detailed style guidance and uses position papers as a prerequisite for delegation awards; Harvard WorldMUN and many collegiate conferences treat them as a soft requirement tied to individual recognition.
Position papers serve several functions. For the delegate, they force the research synthesis needed to caucus credibly on day one. For the dais, they help chairs anticipate likely blocs, identify well-prepared delegates, and seed discussion when debate stalls. For awards committees, they provide a written artifact that can be evaluated independently of floor performance.
Common pitfalls include writing in first person as the delegate rather than as the government, copying language from the UN background guide, proposing solutions inconsistent with the country's voting record, and missing the submission deadline — which at many conferences disqualifies the delegate from awards regardless of in-room performance. Strong papers cite primary sources such as UN documents, foreign ministry releases, or treaty texts rather than secondary commentary.
Example
Ahead of NMUN New York 2024, a delegate representing Brazil in UNEP submitted a two-page position paper outlining Brasília's stance on plastic pollution and sustainable urbanization, citing the country's role in the INC negotiations on a global plastics treaty.
Frequently asked questions
At most conferences, yes — including NMUN and many collegiate circuits, where missing the deadline or failing formatting rules disqualifies delegates from individual and delegation awards regardless of floor performance.
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