nonpapers

Nonpapers, also written as non-papers, are informal diplomatic documents circulated among states, organizations, and negotiators to convey ideas, proposals, or potential compromises without the formal bind of an official paper. They function as a drafting tool to explore positions, test reactions, and facilitate negotiation without committing participants to a stated position.

A nonpaper typically has no official letterhead, no signature, and is not attributed to any government or institution. It is usually drafted in neutral language and clearly marked as for discussion or consideration only, with the understanding that contents may change or be superseded by formal texts.

In practice, nonpapers are used in multilateral and bilateral diplomacy, including United Nations discussions, European Union negotiations, and other diplomatic fora. They may outline specific proposals on topics such as arms control, sanctions, regional governance, or procedural options. They are often circulated informally via secure channels to a subset of delegations before formal negotiating texts are produced.

The main advantages are flexibility and speed: they allow participants to propose ideas, seek preliminary feedback, and narrow gaps without triggering formal commitments. The main drawbacks include ambiguity, potential misinterpretation as official positions, and the risk that leaked material can complicate negotiations or undermine trust.

Nonpapers are understood to be non-binding and provisional, and they are typically used with the expectation that negotiations remain open and without prejudice.