A position paper is your country's written argument — submitted before committee begins. Done right, it tells the Executive Board you have done the work. Done exceptionally, it sets the foundation for a Best Delegate performance. This guide covers everything.
A MUN position paper is a short, formal document written from your assigned country's perspective on the agenda topic. It is submitted to the Executive Board before committee sessions begin and serves two purposes: it proves your preparation, and it stakes out your country's stance for the record.
Think of it as your country's opening brief. Before you ever speak on the floor, the EB has read your paper. A well-researched, clearly written position paper immediately marks you as a serious delegate — and that impression carries into your award evaluation.
Most conferences use position papers as an award eligibility criterion. At Delhi MUN 2026, submitting a position paper is required to be considered for Best Delegate, Outstanding Delegate, and Honourable Mention awards.
Every strong position paper follows the same three-part structure. Memorise this. Then fill it with research specific to your country and agenda.
What to write
The top of your paper identifies the committee, the agenda topic, your country, and your delegation. Some conferences require a specific header format — always follow their template if one is provided.
Template language
Committee: [Full Committee Name] Agenda Topic: [Agenda Topic Title] Country: [Country Name] Delegate: [Your Name] / [School Name]
What to write
Open with 2–3 sentences that frame the agenda issue from a global or historical perspective. You are establishing context — not yet stating your country's position. This paragraph shows the EB you understand what is actually being debated.
Template language
The issue of [topic] has been a central concern for the international community since [date/event]. With [key statistic or recent development], the urgency for multilateral action has reached [describe scale]. [Country] recognises the severity of this challenge and its implications for [region/global stability/humanitarian welfare].
What to write
This is the core of your paper. State clearly where your country stands on the issue, why it holds that position, and which bloc or approach it aligns with. Reference your country's past actions — relevant treaties signed, votes cast at the UN, domestic legislation passed. Be specific.
Template language
[Country] maintains that [core position statement]. This position is grounded in [treaty/resolution/domestic policy]. [Country] has historically [action: supported/opposed/abstained on] similar measures, as evidenced by [specific example]. [Country] aligns with [bloc/regional group] in its approach to [sub-issue].
What to write
End with 3–5 concrete, policy-level solutions your country supports. Frame them in the language of operative clauses where possible (Calls upon, Urges, Recommends, Emphasises). Avoid vague aspirations — EB members look for solutions that could realistically become draft resolution language.
Template language
[Country] therefore proposes the following measures: 1. Calls upon member states to [specific, measurable action]; 2. Urges the establishment of [mechanism/body] to [purpose]; 3. Recommends the allocation of [resource] toward [goal]; 4. Emphasises the importance of [principle] in all future negotiations.
The quality of your position paper is determined entirely by the quality of your research. Use these sources in this order.
Your committee's background guide (study guide) is the single most important document. It tells you exactly what the EB wants debated. Read it before anything else — it frames which aspects of the topic are in scope for your committee.
Search the UN Digital Library (digitallibrary.un.org) for past resolutions on your topic. Find ones your country co-sponsored, opposed, or abstained on. This is primary source material — cite it directly. It also gives you ready-made operative clause language.
Check your country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, UN mission statements, and speeches by the head of state or foreign minister. These are your country's actual diplomatic positions — the most credible basis for your paper.
Reuters, BBC, Al Jazeera, The Hindu, and think tanks like Brookings or ORF provide current-events context. Use them to show you understand the live dimensions — not just historical background. Always check your background guide or ask the EBs which sources they consider credible.
Identify which bloc your country belongs to on this issue (G77, NAM, Western bloc, BRICS, ASEAN, etc.) and what that bloc collectively supports. Your proposed solutions should align with, or intelligently diverge from, your expected bloc position.
If your conference has published resolutions from previous years on similar topics, read them. They show you what passed and what failed — giving you a strategic sense of where consensus is possible and where it breaks down.
Write in third person throughout
"The Delegation of India urges…" — never "I believe…" or "We propose…"
Use formal diplomatic language
Avoid casual phrasing. "Notes with concern", "Strongly condemns", "Reaffirms" are the register you are aiming for.
Be specific with data and citations
Cite actual UN resolutions by number (e.g., UNGA Res. 73/195). Quote a real statistic with its source. Vague claims undermine credibility.
Align solutions to your country's real interests
A landlocked developing country should not be proposing ocean-shipping tariff reforms. Keep solutions strategically coherent with your country's actual situation.
Stay within the page limit
A concise, sharp one-page paper outperforms a bloated two-page paper every time. The EB is reading dozens of position papers — reward their time with clarity.
Submit before the deadline
Late submissions are often disqualified from award consideration entirely. Build in a 24-hour buffer. Submit the day before the deadline.
Copying from Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a starting point, not a citation. EB members will notice and it damages your credibility immediately.
Writing your own opinion, not your country's
Your personal views on climate change, nuclear weapons, or economic sanctions are irrelevant. What matters is what Bangladesh, Russia, or Brazil actually believes — and why.
Generic solutions that could apply to any country
"International cooperation is important." — This adds nothing. Propose specific mechanisms, bodies, timelines, or funding structures.
Ignoring your country's actual foreign policy
If your country has signed a treaty, ratified a convention, or taken a publicly known position — your paper must reflect that. Contradicting real foreign policy is an instant credibility loss.
Using bullet points in the body
Position papers are written in formal prose paragraphs. Bullet-point lists in the body section read as unprepared. Reserve lists only for the solutions section if your conference allows it.
Submitting without proofreading
Spelling errors and grammatical mistakes in a diplomatic document are embarrassing. Print it, read it aloud, and have someone else review it before submitting.
Best Delegate Insight
The delegates who win awards are those whose in-committee performance is consistent with their written position. Your paper tells the EB what to expect from you. Your speeches, your lobbying positions, and your resolution language should build on — not contradict — what you submitted. Consistency signals mastery. Mastery wins awards.
Ready to compete?
Delhi MUN 2026 is the inaugural edition — Aug 8–9, 2026 in New Delhi. Register now, get your committee assignment, and start writing the position paper that opens doors.
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