Model UN Committees: every body and format
- 35 committees
- 29 UN and other bodies
- 6 formats
Choose a committee
Where to start, and where you can apply right now.
Good for a first MUN
Big rooms, every country votes, no veto.
Most open for applications
Conferences you can apply to today.
Small rooms, more speaking time
Typical number of seats in a room.
Often online
Share of its upcoming conferences that run online.
UN General Assembly committees (DISEC, ECOFIN, SOCHUM, SPECPOL, Legal)
5 committees
DISEC (GA First Committee)Every UN member state, one vote each and no veto, on disarmament and international security. SOCHUM (GA Third Committee)Human rights, refugees, children and racism, debated by all 193 states rather than the Human Rights Council's 47. SPECPOL (GA Fourth Committee)Decolonization of the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories, plus peacekeeping, UNRWA and outer space. ECOFIN (GA Second Committee)Development finance, debt, trade and food security, where developing countries bargain as the G77 and China. Legal Committee (GA Sixth Committee)International law, from the International Law Commission's drafts to terrorism and crimes against humanity.
DISEC (GA First Committee)Every UN member state, one vote each and no veto, on disarmament and international security.72 open SOCHUM (GA Third Committee)Human rights, refugees, children and racism, debated by all 193 states rather than the Human Rights Council's 47.30 open SPECPOL (GA Fourth Committee)Decolonization of the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories, plus peacekeeping, UNRWA and outer space.21 open ECOFIN (GA Second Committee)Development finance, debt, trade and food security, where developing countries bargain as the G77 and China.10 open Legal Committee (GA Sixth Committee)International law, from the International Law Commission's drafts to terrorism and crimes against humanity.9 open
Main UN organs
4 committees
UN Security Council (UNSC)Fifteen members, five with a veto, and decisions on peace and security that bind every UN member. UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)Coordinates the UN's economic, social and environmental work; 54 members elected for three-year terms. UN General Assembly (UNGA)All 193 UN member states, one vote each; it can discuss any question under the Charter and recommend action. International Court of Justice (ICJ)The UN's court: 15 judges in The Hague who settle disputes between states and give advisory opinions.
UN Security Council (UNSC)Fifteen members, five with a veto, and decisions on peace and security that bind every UN member.189 open UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)Coordinates the UN's economic, social and environmental work; 54 members elected for three-year terms.82 open UN General Assembly (UNGA)All 193 UN member states, one vote each; it can discuss any question under the Charter and recommend action.39 open International Court of Justice (ICJ)The UN's court: 15 judges in The Hague who settle disputes between states and give advisory opinions.22 open
Other UN bodies and agencies
11 committees
UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)47 elected states that review every UN member's rights record and can open inquiries, but only recommend. World Health Organization (WHO)The UN's health agency since 1948, steered by a World Health Assembly where every member state votes. Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and UN WomenThe UN's main body for gender equality: 45 member states and one two-week session in New York each year. UN Environment Programme (UNEP)The UN's leading environmental authority, founded in 1972 and based in Nairobi. UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)The UN office against drugs, organized crime, corruption and terrorism, based in Vienna since 1997. UNESCOThe UN organization for education, science and culture, founded in 1945 and based in Paris. UNICEFThe UN agency for children, created in 1946, working in more than 190 countries and territories. UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)The UN Refugee Agency, created in 1950; its work rests on the 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol. Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ)The UN's main policymaking body on crime prevention and criminal justice: 40 states elected by ECOSOC. UN Development Programme (UNDP)The UN's lead development agency, working in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD)An ECOSOC commission of 43 member states on science, technology and development, meeting yearly in Geneva.
UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)47 elected states that review every UN member's rights record and can open inquiries, but only recommend.150 open World Health Organization (WHO)The UN's health agency since 1948, steered by a World Health Assembly where every member state votes.83 open Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and UN WomenThe UN's main body for gender equality: 45 member states and one two-week session in New York each year.83 open UN Environment Programme (UNEP)The UN's leading environmental authority, founded in 1972 and based in Nairobi.70 open UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)The UN office against drugs, organized crime, corruption and terrorism, based in Vienna since 1997.51 open UNESCOThe UN organization for education, science and culture, founded in 1945 and based in Paris.42 open UNICEFThe UN agency for children, created in 1946, working in more than 190 countries and territories.39 open UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)The UN Refugee Agency, created in 1950; its work rests on the 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol.31 open Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ)The UN's main policymaking body on crime prevention and criminal justice: 40 states elected by ECOSOC.21 open UN Development Programme (UNDP)The UN's lead development agency, working in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality.16 open Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD)An ECOSOC commission of 43 member states on science, technology and development, meeting yearly in Geneva.10 open
Regional and other organizations
7 committees
NATOAn alliance of 32 countries that decides by consensus and treats an armed attack on one as an attack on all. International Criminal Court (ICC)The permanent court that tries individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression. Arab LeagueThe League of Arab States: 22 members, one vote each in its Council, founded in Cairo in 1945. INTERPOLThe police organization of 196 member countries, which shares data on crimes and criminals from Lyon. African Union (AU)The union of 55 African member states, launched in Durban in 2002 as successor to the Organisation of African Unity. World Trade Organization (WTO)The organization for the rules of trade between more than 160 members, 98% of world trade; it is not a UN agency. European CouncilThe leaders of the 27 EU member states, who set the EU's political direction and priorities but pass no laws.
NATOAn alliance of 32 countries that decides by consensus and treats an armed attack on one as an attack on all.16 open International Criminal Court (ICC)The permanent court that tries individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression.11 open Arab LeagueThe League of Arab States: 22 members, one vote each in its Council, founded in Cairo in 1945.8 open INTERPOLThe police organization of 196 member countries, which shares data on crimes and criminals from Lyon.8 open African Union (AU)The union of 55 African member states, launched in Durban in 2002 as successor to the Organisation of African Unity.6 open World Trade Organization (WTO)The organization for the rules of trade between more than 160 members, 98% of world trade; it is not a UN agency.9 open European CouncilThe leaders of the 27 EU member states, who set the EU's political direction and priorities but pass no laws.10 open
National bodies
2 committees
Crisis, historical and other formats
6 formats
Crisis CommitteesA scenario that keeps changing: you answer crisis updates with directives and private crisis notes. Historical CommitteesRecreates a body on one past day, the freeze date, using only what people knew by then. Courts and Mock TrialsTries a case before a bench of judges, with counsel for each side, often as the ICJ or the ICC. Press CorpsJournalists for named outlets who cover the other committees and publish articles during the conference. Fictional CommitteesSet in an invented world from a book, film or myth, where delegates play its characters. Futuristic CommitteesSet at a future date, often as a Security Council facing events that have not happened yet.
Crisis CommitteesA scenario that keeps changing: you answer crisis updates with directives and private crisis notes.72 open Historical CommitteesRecreates a body on one past day, the freeze date, using only what people knew by then.61 open Courts and Mock TrialsTries a case before a bench of judges, with counsel for each side, often as the ICJ or the ICC.45 open Press CorpsJournalists for named outlets who cover the other committees and publish articles during the conference.27 open Fictional CommitteesSet in an invented world from a book, film or myth, where delegates play its characters.7 open Futuristic CommitteesSet at a future date, often as a Security Council facing events that have not happened yet.14 open
Compare committees
| UN Security Council (UNSC) | 361 | 189 | 15 delegations | 39% | 27% | Armed conflicts 24% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) | 266 | 150 | 22 delegations | 35% | 33% | Human rights 48% |
| DISEC (GA First Committee) | 162 | 72 | 24 delegations | 47% | 20% | Arms control and disarmament 27% |
| World Health Organization (WHO) | 159 | 83 | 20 delegations | 43% | 21% | Health and pandemics 73% |
| Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and UN Women | 151 | 83 | 20 delegations | 34% | 29% | Women and children 82% |
| Crisis Committees | 150 | 72 | 15 seats | 39% | 18% | Armed conflicts 21% |
| UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) | 146 | 82 | 21 delegations | 44% | 21% | Economy and development 53% |
| Historical Committees | 139 | 61 | 17 seats | 55% | 19% | Armed conflicts 27% |
| UN Environment Programme (UNEP) | 122 | 70 | 20 delegations | 46% | 34% | Climate and environment 69% |
| UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) | 102 | 51 | 20 delegations | 43% | 13% | Crime and drugs 71% |
| Courts and Mock Trials | 92 | 45 | 12 seats | 43% | 9% | International law and justice 61% |
| UN General Assembly (UNGA) | 91 | 39 | 28 delegations | 48% | 30% | Economy and development 12% |
| UNESCO | 75 | 42 | 23 delegations | 39% | 27% | Education and culture 50% |
| SOCHUM (GA Third Committee) | 71 | 30 | 30 delegations | 69% | 11% | Human rights 27% |
| UNICEF | 71 | 39 | 22 delegations | 45% | 25% | Women and children 84% |
| Press Corps | 68 | 27 | 9 seats | 25% | 9% | No theme stands out |
| SPECPOL (GA Fourth Committee) | 62 | 21 | 26 delegations | 61% | 8% | Decolonization and self-determination 18% |
| UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) | 59 | 31 | 25 delegations | 32% | 27% | Refugees and migration 90% |
| International Court of Justice (ICJ) | 53 | 22 | 13 seats | 57% | 9% | International law and justice 65% |
| NATO | 46 | 16 | 23 delegations | 41% | 2% | Cyber and AI 12% |
| Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) | 41 | 21 | Too few simulations to say | 39% | 59% | Crime and drugs 56% |
| ECOFIN (GA Second Committee) | 38 | 10 | 26 delegations | 66% | 5% | Economy and development 64% |
| UN Development Programme (UNDP) | 29 | 16 | Too few simulations to say | 52% | 31% | Economy and development 35% |
| Fictional Committees | 27 | 7 | Too few simulations to say | 48% | 41% | Fiction and fantasy 33% |
| International Criminal Court (ICC) | 26 | 11 | 12 seats | 31% | 12% | International law and justice 64% |
| Legal Committee (GA Sixth Committee) | 26 | 9 | Too few simulations to say | 69% | 12% | International law and justice 22% |
| Arab League | 24 | 8 | 20 delegations | 38% | 8% | Armed conflicts 18% |
| All India Political Parties Meet (AIPPM) | 22 | 8 | Too few simulations to say | 9% | 64% | Democracy and governance 22% |
| Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) | 21 | 10 | 20 delegations | 62% | 10% | Cyber and AI 50% |
| Futuristic Committees | 21 | 14 | 17 seats | 38% | 10% | Future and science fiction 36% |
| INTERPOL | 21 | 8 | Too few simulations to say | 38% | 10% | Crime and drugs 50% |
| African Union (AU) | 20 | 6 | Too few simulations to say | 60% | 5% | Economy and development 10% |
| World Trade Organization (WTO) | 20 | 9 | 20 delegations | 40% | 5% | Economy and development 69% |
| European Council | 17 | 10 | 21 delegations | 12% | 6% | Refugees and migration 13% |
| Lok Sabha | 11 | 8 | Too few simulations to say | 9% | 64% | Democracy and governance 18% |
- UN Security Council (UNSC) 361 upcoming,
- UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) 266 upcoming,
- DISEC (GA First Committee) 162 upcoming,
- World Health Organization (WHO) 159 upcoming,
- Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and UN Women 151 upcoming,
- Crisis Committees 150 upcoming,
- UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) 146 upcoming,
- Historical Committees 139 upcoming,
- UN Environment Programme (UNEP) 122 upcoming,
- UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 102 upcoming,
- Courts and Mock Trials 92 upcoming,
- UN General Assembly (UNGA) 91 upcoming,
- UNESCO 75 upcoming,
- SOCHUM (GA Third Committee) 71 upcoming,
- UNICEF 71 upcoming,
- Press Corps 68 upcoming,
- SPECPOL (GA Fourth Committee) 62 upcoming,
- UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) 59 upcoming,
- International Court of Justice (ICJ) 53 upcoming,
- NATO 46 upcoming,
- Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) 41 upcoming,
- ECOFIN (GA Second Committee) 38 upcoming,
- UN Development Programme (UNDP) 29 upcoming,
- Fictional Committees 27 upcoming,
- International Criminal Court (ICC) 26 upcoming,
- Legal Committee (GA Sixth Committee) 26 upcoming,
- Arab League 24 upcoming,
- All India Political Parties Meet (AIPPM) 22 upcoming,
- Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) 21 upcoming,
- Futuristic Committees 21 upcoming,
- INTERPOL 21 upcoming,
- African Union (AU) 20 upcoming,
- World Trade Organization (WTO) 20 upcoming,
- European Council 17 upcoming,
- Lok Sabha 11 upcoming,
Model UN committees: questions and answers
What is the most common Model UN committee?
The UN Security Council: 361 upcoming conferences on mymun run one. The UN Human Rights Council follows with 266 and DISEC with 162.
Which committee is best for a first Model UN conference?
A General Assembly committee such as DISEC or SOCHUM. Every country has a seat and one vote, there is no veto, and rooms hold about 24 to 30 delegations.
What is the difference between a committee and a format?
A committee simulates a real body, such as the Security Council or WHO, with its members and powers. A format changes how a room runs, with crisis updates, a historical date or a press corps.
Which committees suit a school group?
The Legal Committee (69%), SOCHUM (69%) and ECOFIN (66%) run most often at conferences for school students only. General Assembly committees seat every country, so one school can fill several seats in a room.
Updated Nov 13, 2026