A position paper is a 1–2 page document in which your delegation formally states its official stance on the topic assigned to your committee. Nearly every Model United Nations conference requires delegates to submit a position paper before the first session, and chairs use them to evaluate your preparation and research quality.
Think of it as your country's diplomatic brief — a concise, evidence-based statement that tells the committee exactly where your delegation stands and why. Judges and chairs read position papers to gauge whether a delegate understands the issue, has researched their country's actual policies, and can propose realistic solutions.
Critically, a position paper is not an essay. It is not a persuasive speech or a personal opinion piece. It is a formal diplomatic document written from the perspective of a sovereign nation. Every claim must be backed by your country's real policies, treaties, voting records, and documented actions. The moment you insert your own beliefs instead of your delegation's official position, you lose credibility with the chair.
A strong position paper demonstrates three things: (1) you understand the global issue and its stakeholders, (2) you have thoroughly researched your country's stance, and (3) you can propose actionable solutions that your delegation would realistically support in committee.
Most successful position papers follow a consistent four-part framework. This structure ensures you cover all the essential elements while staying within the 1–2 page limit.
Sample sentence: "Climate change poses an existential threat to Pacific Island nations, with rising sea levels projected to displace 1.5 million people by 2050 (IPCC, 2023)."
Sample sentence: "Japan has committed to carbon neutrality by 2050 and has invested $20 billion in green hydrogen technology through its Green Growth Strategy."
Sample sentence: "Japan co-sponsored UN General Assembly Resolution 76/300 on the right to a clean environment and has contributed $500 million to the Green Climate Fund."
Sample sentence: "Japan proposes the establishment of a Pacific Climate Resilience Fund, modelled on the existing Japan-Pacific Islands Forum partnership, to finance adaptation projects across vulnerable island nations."
Below is a real position paper from the People's Republic of China in the Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC), addressing the use of military troops as retaliation against large-scale cyber attacks. Each paragraph is annotated so you can see how the four-part structure works in practice.
The use of cyber attacks has been discussed; if it happens, what is the best approach to follow after the attack? The fundamental legal dilemma is determining when a state-sponsored cyber attack constitutes a "use of force" under Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, and if it does constitute a use of force, under Article 51, countries can legally justify a military response. The debate centers around determining what constitutes "force" and an appropriate military response.
The international community consensus on this issue is from the Tallinn Manual, widely used by states and NATO as a reference for how international law applies. Cyber operation constitutes an "armed attack" only if the scale and effects are comparable to a kinetic attack. States should be wary, as cyberattacks can be masked or routed, making it difficult to prove which state is responsible.
The delegation of the People's Republic of China calls on the Disarmament and International Security Committee to take the following actions in order to achieve international peace, security, and responsible state conduct in cyberspace. With this regard, the delegation of the People's Republic of China calls upon the Disarmament and International Security Committee to take the following actions: First, establish a United Nations system to facilitate the investigation and attribution of any large-scale cyber attacks. Second, enhance cooperation and information sharing between member states with the aim of achieving greater cybersecurity. Third, take a diplomatic approach and avoid taking a military approach unless it is obvious that the attack amounts to an armed attack.
Foster international cooperation among member states in the field of cybersecurity, especially with regard to the exchange of informational and technical support. Respond to cyber-attacks using diplomatic and economic approaches; however, military action may be taken if warranted by an equivalent act of armed attack. Create a global agreement that forbids cyberattacks on vital civilian infrastructure, including water systems, electricity grids, and hospitals.
Avoid these frequent errors that weaken position papers and cost delegates points with chairs.
| ❌ Don't | ✅ Do |
|---|---|
| Write generic statements like "Climate change is bad" | Use specific data: "1.5 million Pacific Islanders face displacement by 2050" |
| Copy from Wikipedia without citing sources | Reference UN resolutions by number (e.g., UNGA Res. 76/300) |
| State your personal opinion on the issue | Research your country's official voting record and public statements |
| Propose solutions your country wouldn't support | Align every proposal with your delegation's foreign policy and capacity |
| Forget the format — write an essay instead | Follow the 4-paragraph structure strictly |
Run through this checklist before submitting your position paper to make sure you haven't missed anything.
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