How to Write a Winning MUN Position Paper + Sample (Complete Guide)

Preparing for your first MUN? One of the most important things you need is a position paper to help you organize your arguments.

Without a proper position paper, you might lose track of your country’s stance or miss key points during the debate.

Writing one for the first time can feel confusing, but luckily this MUN position paper guide has you covered.

Let’s explore the best format, learn how to write it step by step, and check out a position paper example you can use as a reference.

What is a MUN Position Paper?

A position paper, also known as a policy paper, is a short document that presents your assigned country’s official stance on the issue your committee will discuss.

This paper is typically limited to one page and in many conferences, it is also a prerequisite for award eligibility.

There are three main components of a position paper:

Your Country’s Position: What your country thinks about the issue.
Your Country’s Relation: How the issue affects your country and what actions it has taken.
Your Country’s Proposal: What your country suggests to solve the problem.

But, what makes a good position paper? A winning MUN position paper should include:

A short introduction to your country and its background on the topic.
How the issue affects your country’s policies or interests.
Your country’s official stance and the reasons behind it.
Data or evidence that supports your position.
Actions your government has taken on the issue.
Agreements or treaties your country has signed.
Your country’s response to previous UN actions.
Clear recommendations or solutions your country proposes.

The Goals of a Position Paper

A position paper is a way to clearly explain your country’s stance on an issue. Because position papers are usually only one page long, it is best to dedicate a paragraph to each goal.

Position papers are distributed to attendees prior to the conference, providing a framework for debate and negotiation.

Here are a few reasons why a position paper is important:

1. Highlights Research and Knowledge

Writing a position paper demonstrates the delegate’s understanding of the issue and their ability to support arguments with accurate data and examples.

2. Provides a Guide for Debate

It acts as a roadmap for discussions, helping other delegates navigate negotiations and propose solutions effectively.

3. Helps Others Understand Your Country’s Perspective

By reading the position paper, other delegates gain insight into your country’s priorities, policies, and reasoning.

4. Organizes Thoughts and Strategy

Preparing a position paper helps delegates prioritize key points, structure arguments, and plan speeches efficiently.

5. Serves as a Reference Tool

During the conference, delegates can refer back to their position paper to stay aligned with their country’s policies and maintain consistency in debate.

MUN Position Paper Format

If you want to write a winning MUN position paper, it’s not enough to simply include facts or quotes from your research.

Your paper should follow a clear format that guides the reader through your country’s perspective and proposed solutions.

However, every conference can have its own format. Here is the general position paper format you can follow:

1. Your Country’s Position

This is the first paragraph of your position paper. Here, you explain how your country sees the problem and why it matters. You can include a brief history, key challenges, and the impact on the global community.

2. Your Country’s Relation to the Topic

The second paragraph describes how your country has dealt with the issue in the past or its current role.

Include relevant policies, successes, or challenges. If your country has limited direct involvement, you can reference similar nations for context.

3. Your Country’s Extra Supporting Material

This optional paragraph can provide additional evidence, data, or examples that strengthen your case but don’t fit neatly into the first two paragraphs. It helps show the depth of your research and reinforces your proposed policies.

4. Your Country’s Proposed Solutions

The final paragraph outlines the specific policies or actions your country wants to see implemented in the resolution.

To strengthen your proposed solution, use the SMART MUN Policy framework:

Specific: Focus on a clear area to improve
Measurable: Show how progress will be tracked
Actionable: Define the actions to be taken
Realistic: Ensure it can be achieved with available resources
Timely: Indicate when results are expected or reviewed

How to Write a Winning MUN Position Paper

Writing a strong position paper is key to becoming the best delegate at MUN. You can use the PReP formula, which stands for Position, Relation, Extra, and Proposal.

Let’s prepare your materials and follow this tutorial on how to write a MUN position paper:

1. Write Your Interpretation of the Issue

Start by explaining how your country sees the issue. Avoid stating only obvious facts, but focus on analysis and insight.

Identify the challenges that the international community faces and explain why these challenges are significant.

Example:
Country: Philippines
Committee: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Topic: Addressing the Global Trash Problem in the Pacific
The Philippines recognizes that plastic pollution in the Pacific Ocean poses serious risks to marine ecosystems, fisheries, and coastal communities. The scale of waste, combined with inconsistent national enforcement and cross-border pollution, makes international cooperation crucial.

2. Show Your Country’s Connection to the Topic

Describe your country’s past and current involvement with the issue, including policies, programs, or legislation. Highlight successes, failures, and lessons learned.

Example:
The Philippines faces significant plastic pollution along its coastlines, with rivers and urban areas contributing heavily to ocean debris. Domestic policies such as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and local initiatives like coastal cleanups show active engagement. These efforts, though partially effective, highlight the need for regional coordination to tackle transboundary waste.

3. Add Optional Supporting Material

If you want to be the best delegate at MUN, include evidence, case studies, or data that strengthen your argument. This shows that your position is well-researched.

Example:
Studies estimate that the Philippines contributes roughly 2% of global ocean plastic, making it one of the top contributors in Southeast Asia. Data from local cleanup projects show that organized community efforts can remove thousands of tons of waste annually, demonstrating that scalable regional programs could have significant impact.

4. Propose Practical Solutions

After presenting your data, evidence, and the challenges faced, draft your country’s proposed solutions. Use the SMART MUN Policy framework to ensure your policies are actionable and measurable.

Example:
The Philippines proposes forming a Pacific Ocean Waste Management Coalition among bordering nations to coordinate cleanup, recycling, and prevention programs. Specific targets include reducing oceanic plastic by 25% within five years. Initiatives will be implemented through regional agreements, monitored with satellite tracking of debris, and supported by technological innovations in waste recovery.

Tips on Writing a MUN Position Paper

It’s easy for your main ideas to get lost in a position paper, so keeping a few key strategies in mind will help ensure your points are communicated clearly.

Use bullet points for important facts to ensure your ideas are easy to reference quickly during debate.
Keep it clear and avoid complex sentences or flowery language.
Give each idea its own paragraph, starting with a topic sentence.
Back up claims with data, and use footnotes or endnotes where appropriate.
Check clarity, spelling and grammar to ensure your ideas come across strongly.
Add a professional touch with a seal or letterhead for credibility, making it more likely that others will take your paper seriously.

Example of a Position Paper for MUN

Ready to write your own ideas? For reference, check out the MUN position paper sample PDF below. Download it to see how the paper is structured using the PReP formula:

mun position paper sample.webp — Download MUN Position Paper Sample

Want to Experience MUN Yourself? Register for GYDMUN 2026!

If you are passionate about global issues and have already prepared your MUN position paper, it’s time to share your voice at GYDMUN 2026 in Malaysia!

But, what’s GYDMUN? GYDMUN or Global Youth Diplomats Model United Nations is a major international event taking place from 29 January to 1 February 2026 in Malaysia.

This beginner-friendly conference will bring together over 500 delegates from around the world to discuss pressing global issues in areas such as law, technology, and more.

You will also have the opportunity to win the “Best Position Paper” award, which can strengthen your scholarship or college applications.

Worried because it is your first MUN? Don’t be! In fact, about 70% of participants are first-timers.

Source:

How to Write a Model UN Position Paper - (Examples Inside) | Wisemee