Topic A / Topic B

In most Model UN committees, the dais (chairs) circulates a background guide containing two pre-selected substantive issues, conventionally labeled Topic A and Topic B. Together they form the committee's provisional agenda. Once committee opens, the first procedural task is almost always setting the agenda: delegates move to debate one topic before the other (for example, "Motion to set the agenda to Topic B, then Topic A"). This motion typically requires a simple majority and is debated through a short speakers list with pro/con speeches.

The convention reflects real UN practice loosely. Principal organs like the General Assembly adopt an agenda at the start of each session under Rules 12–14 of the GA's Rules of Procedure, though actual UN agendas contain dozens of items rather than two. MUN simplifies this to keep a weekend or week-long conference tractable: committees realistically only finish one topic, so the agenda vote effectively decides what will be debated.

Strategically, the agenda vote matters. Delegates whose country has a strong position, prepared bloc, or clear policy win on one topic will lobby hard for that ordering. Chairs sometimes weight the two topics differently — one broader and policy-heavy, one more technical — to give delegates a meaningful choice. In crisis committees and historical bodies, the Topic A / Topic B structure is less common; those committees typically open in medias res on a single scenario.

Common pitfalls for new delegates:

• Treating the agenda vote as trivial. A lost agenda vote can leave a delegation debating its weaker topic for the entire conference.
• Confusing the agenda motion with a motion to open debate or to move into a moderated caucus.
• Forgetting that, once set, changing the agenda usually requires a new motion and majority vote, and many conferences disallow switching mid-committee.

Background guides typically devote roughly equal space to each topic, including history, past UN action, bloc positions, and questions a resolution should answer.