Can you provide me with some general guidance on the language used in COP decisions, their legal implications and meaning?
Understanding Decision Text
Most resolutions have two components:
- Preambular text: Sets the context but has limited legal authority
- Operative text: Is the legally binding component, though words may be used to dilute or negate the legally binding nature of the decision
Preambular Text
In preambular text, the first word usually ends in ‘ing’
Affirming: Agreeing on this
Bearing in mind: Giving thought to
Calling for: Asking for action from governments
Concurring: Agreeing with some other decisions
Conscious: Aware of (not an ‘ing’ word)
Considering: Thinking about it but not intending to do anything
Desiring: Wishing to do something
Developing: Something that will happen in the future
Endorsing: Giving legal support to a previous decision or action
Encouraging: Hoping that someone will do something
Enhancing: Developing something further
Establishing: Creating something
Expressing concern: Strong diplomatic language to express annoyance
Maintaining: Supporting business as usual
Noting: Acknowledging something with little concern
Promoting: Giving publicity to
Reaffirming: Agreeing on a decision already made
Recalling: Reminding ourselves of a previous decision or action
Recognising: Acknowledging something
Stressing: Giving significance to an issue
Taking into consideration: Acknowledging something but likely to ignore it
Operative text
Agrees: Everyone supports the decision
Calls on: Strong encouragement to do something
Decides: A legally binding conclusion
Declares: Announcing a resolution to something
Encourages: Similar to Urges but not so strong
Endorses: Gives legal support to
Emphasises: Gives importance without deciding on anything
Expresses its appreciation to: Thanks someone
Notes: Only gives recognition to
Requests: Asks someone to do something
Supports: Gives support to something, usually done by someone else
Takes note of: Notes without support or endorsement
Urges: Advocating action but without the authority to enforce the action
Welcomes: Shows non-legally binding support for something