The Presidency of the Security Council

The presidency of the Security Council rotates monthly among all 15 members in alphabetical order by their English name. This means every Council member, including elected members, gets one month as president during the year. The president chairs all Council meetings, sets the provisional agenda, and represents the Council in relations with other UN organs.

The presidency is more powerful than it appears. The president decides the order of speakers, determines when to call a vote, and drafts presidential statements that are issued on behalf of the entire Council. A skilled president can shape the Council's agenda, prioritize certain issues over others, and use the procedural authority of the chair to influence outcomes.

The Presidency in Simulation

In most MUN Security Council simulations, the presidency is played by the committee chair rather than a delegate. However, some advanced simulations include a rotating presidency among delegates, and understanding its powers is valuable regardless.

The president can:

• Set the agenda priority: Decide which topic is discussed first and how time is allocated
• Call on speakers: In moderated caucus, the president chooses who speaks, which is significant in a 15-member body
• Issue presidential statements: A PRST expresses the Council's collective view without a formal resolution. It requires consensus of all 15 members and can be used when a resolution is not achievable
• Convene meetings: The president decides when and how often the Council meets on a given issue

If your simulation includes a rotating presidency, volunteer for the month when the most contentious agenda item is being discussed. Procedural control over a major debate is enormous leverage.