PRACTICES OF
DIPLOMATIC PROTOCOLIN GENEVA
Alice HechtJean-Marc BoulgarisIdriss Jazairy
Published by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) with the generous support of the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and to the other international organizations in Geneva.
Graphics and layout by Franz ThielPrinted by the Printing section of the United Nations Office at GenevaPhoto: UN Photo/Violaine Martin
The opinions expressed in this manual are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), or of any other UN organ, body, agency or organization.
The designations employed and the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion on behalf of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) concerning the legal status of a country, city or area, its authorities or the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
Material in this publication may be freely quoted, but acknowledgement is requested. A copy of the publication containing the quote should be sent to the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Chemin des Anémones 11-13, 1219 Châtelaine, Switzerland.
© United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) 2015
PRACTICES OF
DIPLOMATIC PROTOCOLIN GENEVA
Alice HechtJean-Marc BoulgarisIdriss Jazairy
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva4
For the past 50 years, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has been developing capacities of individuals, organizations, and institutions to enhance global decision-making and support country-level action for shaping a better future.
Within UNITAR, the Multilateral Diplomacy Programme (MDP) provides capacity-building training to diplomats, international civil servants, and other government officials, alongside resources to strengthen their performance in multilateral working environments. Five years ago, MDP published the first edition of the Glossary of Terms for UN delegates. In 2011, the program released the Manual for UN delegates, now available in both French and Arabic. It is in line with its mandate and constant endeavour to provide its beneficiaries with the most up-to-date and pragmatic tools that MDP is now making its Practices of Diplomatic Protocol in Geneva publicly available.
UN diplomats are requested to respect the protocol rules in place at the office to which they are assigned. In addition to these rules, each duty station operates according to a certain number of specificities. A diplomat accredited to the United Nations in Geneva can thus be called upon to deal with a range of protocol rules issued from three different sources: the United Nations, the Republic and Canton of Geneva and to a lesser extent the Swiss Confederation.
Newcomers to the Geneva diplomatic life are mostly eager to gather information and quality resources that could steer their behavior in society as well as in official meetings. The Multilateral Diplomacy
Programme of UNITAR is responding to this demand by providing to all diplomats the keys to understanding the rules to be followed in a multilateral setting, specifically in Geneva.
I take this opportunity to wholeheartedly thank Alice Hecht as well as Ambassadors Jean-Marc Boulgaris and Idriss Jazairy for their precious contributions to this publication. I also express my gratitude to the Swiss Mission in Geneva for their support which made the project possible.
Nikhil SethUnited Nations Assistant Secretary-GeneralExecutive DirectorUNITAR
Letter of the Executive Director of UNITAR
5
UNITAR wholeheartedly thanks
• The authors of this brochure, Alice Hecht, Ambassador Jean-Marc Boulgaris and Ambassador Idriss Jazairy for the remarkable work they accomplished by compiling their knowledge and experience into this instrumental publication;
• The Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and to the other international organizations in Geneva for having contributed to the printing of this brochure;
• The team members of MDP who have contributed to the realization of this publication and in particular Rabih el-Haddad, Manager of the Multilateral Diplomacy Programme of UNITAR, Evelyne de Mevius, Franz Thiel, and Nancy Yacoub.
Acknowledgement
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva6
Alice Hecht
Alice Hecht is a senior consultant at UNITAR on protocol in multilateral organizations and its impact on the conduct of negotiations. Prior to heading the Office of Protocol of the United Nations Headquarters in New York (from 2006 to 2009), Alice Hecht was the Director of Administration of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (from 2003 to 2005). In the period between the two Gulf Wars (from 1992 to 2003), Alice Hecht served as Chief Administrative Officer of the United Special Commission on Iraq where she directed the financial, human resources and logistics services required for the implementation of the United Nations mandates on the destruction of weapons of mass destruction. Alice Hecht is also a lecturer at the Centre d’Etudes Diplomatiques et Stratégiques (CEDS), Paris, and at the International School of Protocol and Diplomacy (ISPD), Brussels. Prior assignments have included positions as Economic Affairs Officer and Population Affairs Officer in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
Alice Hecht was born and educated in Belgium. She holds a Licence in social sciences from the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
Ambassador Jean-Marc Boulgaris
Jean-Marc Boulgaris is a senior consultant at UNITAR and a former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva. He started his career in the diplomatic service in 1968 and has held many postings, including Deputy Permanent Observer of Switzerland to the United Nations in New York, Political Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador to Denmark and Colombia. He also represented Switzerland in meetings such as GATT, EFTA, OECD and the International Energy Agency.
In 2003-2004, Ambassador Boulgaris was Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). He served as member of the UNITAR Board of Trustees and is a member of the Board of the Friends of the Conference of non-governmental organizations accredited to the Economic and Social Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
Biography of the authors
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Ambassador Idriss Jazairy
An Algerian career diplomat and international civil servant, Idriss Jazairy, M.A. (Oxon), ancien élève ENA (France), MPA (Harvard), was an Adviser to the Presidency of Algeria, an Ambassador to Belgium as well as to the United States and a Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations located in Switzerland. At the multilateral level, Idriss Jazairy was President of IFAD, a UN specialized agency. He is, inter alia, the lead author of “The State of World Rural Poverty – An Enquiry into its Causes and Consequences”(New York University).
Biography of the authors
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva8
Table of contents
Chapter 1 | The purpose of this publication 13
1.1 Introduction 141.2 Expected users of these guidelines 15
Chapter 2 | The evolution of protocol in diplomacy and negotiations 17
2.1 The meaning of the word “protocol” 182.2 The origins of protocol 182.3 Protocol in ancient history 192.4 Protocol in the Byzantine Empire 202.5 The development of protocol practices in the Catholic Church and the Renaissance 202.6 The Congress of Vienna of 1815 21
Chapter 3 | International treaties on privileges and immunities 23
3.1 Introduction 243.2 The United Nations Charter, 26 June 1945 243.3 The General Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 13 February 1946 243.4 The General Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies, 21 November 1947 253.5 The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 18 April 1961 253.6 Host Country Agreements 26
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Chapter 4 | The United Nations system 27
4.1 Introduction 284.2 The United Nations 284.3 The funds and programmes, the research institutes and other related entities 294.4 The specialized agencies of the United Nations system 304.5 The related organizations 30
Chapter 5 | The four Protocol and Liaison Services of the United Nations 31
5.1 The Secretariat and the Offices away from Headquarters 325.2 The responsibilities and functions of the Protocol and Liaison Services 325.3 The support of the Host Country 335.4 The role of the permanent missions with regards to protocol support 33
Chapter 6 | Precedence at the United Nations 35
6.1 Order of precedence between Government and United Nations officials 366.2 Order of precedence between the President of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General 366.3 Order of precedence between Government representatives at the United Nations 376.4 Order of precedence between United Nations senior officials 376.5 Seating arrangements for the General Assembly and United Nations conferences 386.6 Order of speakers at the General Debate 39
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva10
Chapter 7 | The Swiss Confederation and the United Nations in Geneva 41
7.1 The Swiss Confederation 427.2 Bern and Geneva 427.3 The Republic and Canton of Geneva 427.4 The political system of Geneva 437.5 The importance of Geneva as a centre of international diplomacy 44
Chapter 8 | The complex situation of diplomatic protocol in Geneva 45
8.1 The United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) 468.2 The four actors of protocol in Geneva 468.3 The two Permanent Missions of the Swiss Confederation in Geneva 478.4 The Republic and Canton of Geneva and the City of Geneva 488.5 The Protocol and Liaison Service of UNOG 498.6 The Diplomatic Committee 49
Chapter 9 | The specificities of protocol at Geneva 51
9.1 Order of precedence within the United Nations family 529.2 Order of precedence between senior Government officials 549.3 Order of precedence between Permanent Representatives accredited to the United Nations Office at Geneva 549.4 Order of precedence between members of permanent missions and other delegates 559.5 Order of precedence between the representatives of the Republic and Canton of Geneva and the diplomatic community 56
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Chapter 10 | Policy on gifts at the United Nations 57
10.1 Gifts by Member States to the United Nations 5810.2 Gifts to the Secretary-General 5910.3 Gifts to United Nations officials and staff 59
Chapter 11 | Protocol for mourning at the United Nations 61
11.1 The United Nations flag 6211.2 Book of Condolences 6211.3 Commemoration ceremonies 63
Afterword | Etiquette and decorum in the context of multilateral diplomacy for use at the United Nations Office at Geneva by Ambassador Idriss Jazairy 65
Introduction 661 - Business cards 672 - Invitation cards 683 - Courtesy calls 684 - Correspondence 695 - Organization of, or participation in a meal 706 - Receptions 727 - Introductions 738 - Courtesy 73
Acronyms 74
References 76
Annexes 77
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva12
13
Chapter 1 I The purpose of this publication
Chapter 1
ITU monument, BernLicensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike
3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
1.1 Introduction1.2 Expected users of these guidelinesThe purpose of
this publication
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva14
1.1 Introduction
When the delegates of the 20 founding Member States of the International Telegraph Conference decided in 1868 that the recently created International Telegraph Union (ITU) would establish a permanent organization in Bern, it started a tradition for States to choose Switzerland as the headquarters of a burgeoning number of international organizations. In 1874, the International Postal Union followed suit and chose Bern as its centre. Following the end of the First World War, Geneva became the de facto capital of international organizations.
As a result of the Paris Peace Conference, two major international organizations with headquarters in Geneva were founded. The Treaty of Versailles established the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1919 and the League of Nations in 1920. The decision to reinvigorate the importance of international organizations as the core of international peace led to the creation of the United Nations with its main headquarters in New York. At the same time, the founding members of the United Nations decided that Geneva should remain at the centre of international diplomacy. The European Office of the United Nations was created in the Palais des Nations, and became the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) in 1966. The international position of Geneva was strengthened in the subsequent decades when numerous agencies, funds and programmes, research institutes and other international organizations selected Geneva to establish their headquarters.
51 States belonged to the United Nations when the Charter came into force on 24 October 1945. 193 States are now parties to it and all have a representation in New York. Two Observer States, the Holy See and the State of Palestine, also have a permanent mission in New York and in Geneva. The number of States with a permanent mission in Geneva is slightly less important and amounts to 173.
Multilateral diplomacy calls for a renewed awareness of protocol rules and customs with a cross-cultural perspective. These well-established and time-honoured rules allow nations and peoples from a wide range of cultures and values to conduct their activities with dignity in an environment devoid of frictions. Such animosity can easily arise when one of the parties concerned does not feel treated with respect. Hierarchy and structure provide a framework for negotiations, the essence of diplomacy, to be organized in a clear and transparent manner.
Even well-experienced protocol practitioners can find the protocol practices of the multilateral world challenging in comparison to the well-defined protocol rules that reign in a bilateral environment. Newcomers to Geneva are faced with numerous challenges in dealing with the complexity of the multilateral environment. This guide aims to provide answers to the questions that arise when organizing and attending both a public or private event.
Who is entitled to diplomatic privileges and immunities? How is the order of speakers at a conference decided? Many questions can emerge when organizing an official or social event attended by a number of dignitaries. What is the difference between the Head of an agency and the Head of a fund or programme? Who has precedence? What is the status of United Nations officials? How does the Swiss Confederation organize its protocol? Is it appropriate to give a gift to a United Nations official? How should the President of an international corporation, which supports major United Nations related activities, be received?
Current protocol practices are rooted in history but evolve continuously. There is always a legitimate reason behind a protocol rule or practice.
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Chapter 1 I The purpose of this publication
Protocol is not set in stone. It echoes cultural and political environments and has to be flexible in order to serve its main purpose of supporting relationships between actors working in a multilateral environment. A brief history of protocol is presented in the first part of this publication. It provides the rationale behind these processes and is aimed at helping protocol practitioners to make the necessary adjustments in particular situations.
The words “protocol” and “etiquette” are often used indiscriminately. “Protocol” in its strict sense refers to a set of rules and procedures that regulate the relationships between Governments and their representatives on both official and private occasions. “Etiquette” refers to the manners and behaviours of individuals whether on official or private business. All States recognized as such by the United Nations follow the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. International protocol holds that a Head of State takes precedence over all other officials, and that Heads of State rank in the order that they took office. In turn, etiquette and manners reflect a culture specific to a certain country. A handshake is appropriate is some cultures but not in all. Dress codes vary from country to country.
In reality, there are many overlaps between protocol and etiquette. While this publication focuses on protocol, we have requested Ambassador Idriss Jazairy to provide a summary of the etiquette and decorum practices in use in the context of the United Nations at Geneva (UNOG). The reader will find this chapter in the afterword of this publication.
1.2 Expected users of these guidelines
This publication is primarily intended for the staff members of the permanent missions in Geneva who are responsible for the on-going liaison between the permanent missions and the United Nations organizations in Geneva, as well as for organizing the attendance of high-Government officials to United Nations events. It also covers subjects of interest to the wide range of international community members in Geneva, whether representatives of international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGO) or other entities linked to the work of the United Nations.
This publication may also be helpful to participants in other kinds of international meetings and conferences, whether organized by civil society, NGO’s or the private sector.
This publication is not a substitute for the detailed protocol guidelines and administrative instructions provided by the United Nations in New York (UNHQ), the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), the Swiss Confederation and the Republic and Canton of Geneva. These documents are listed in the bibliography at the end of this publication and can in part be found in the annexes of this brochure.
The objective of this publication is to provide an overview of the protocol rules, regulations and customs as practiced within the United Nations family in Geneva.
Whenever we refer to a delegate, an official, a staff member, etc., we could be speaking of either a female or a male. This publication uses the inelegant but understandable wording of he/she, him/her and his/her. Likewise, ’they‘, ’them‘ and ’their‘ imply either gender.
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva16
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Chapter 2 I The evolution of protocol in diplomacy and negotiations
Original Geneva ConventionsKevin Quinn, Ohio, US - Flickr. Sous licence Creative
CommonsAttribution 2.0 via Wikimedia
Chapter 2
2.1 The meaning of the word “protocol”2.2 The origins of protocol2.3 Protocol in ancient history2.4 Protocol in the Byzantine Empire2.5 The development of protocol practices in the Catholic Church and the Renaissance2.6 The Congress of Vienna of 1815
The evolution of protocol in diplomacy and negotiations
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva18
2.1 The meaning of the word “protocol”
Protocol is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as “the official procedure or system of rules governing affairs of State or diplomatic occasions”. The term protocol is derived from the Greek word protokollen, a fusion of the words protos (first) and kola (glue). It referred to a sheet of paper glued to the front of a document to provide it with a seal of authenticity, a practice that serves as a reminder of today’s Letters of Credentials.
The term “protocol” is nowadays used in the medical, scientific, and even legal and political fields. One of the most famous uses of the term “protocol” is the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement on climate change. In the scientific and research arena, a “protocol” will refer to the record of scientific and experimental observations. In all cases, the term provides the idea of strict rules and procedures recognized and accepted by all concerned parties.
In the world of multilateral diplomacy, protocol provides a clear and transparent system that allows for all participants to an event organized by the United Nations, whether public or private, to understand the position they are being given in all aspects of their official functions.
2.2 The origins of Protocol
We tend to relate the emergence of protocol with the development of States in the context of international relations. The more global our world has become, the more relevant it is to appreciate the logics and reasons behind a so-called protocol system. Protocol provides a framework to support international relationships and negotiations. The multiplication of States since the creation of the United Nations has given a renewed impetus to the importance of protocol. Of course, rules of protocol have long preexisted States. The need to negotiate issues and to find peaceful solutions to frictions arising out of territorial disputes or interactions between communities with different cultures and traditions is as old as humanity. The exchange of gifts between parties, the recognition of titles associated with a social and political position, the use of emblems to distinguish a group from another and the hosting of social events have always been part of human relations and used as tools during negotiations. Envoys representing the interests of a group in negotiations with another group and the immunity provided to these envoys have always been indispensable for communication between groups and parties.
Formal rules of protocol are not part of the world of private institutions and corporations. However, the same principles apply everywhere. Commercial negotiations that bring together individuals across borders have also always used an unwritten system of precedence. Corporations negotiate with each other through representatives who are entrusted to make decisions on their behalf. Moreover, such negotiations are usually accompanied by a social event under the same principles as the social events organized at the occasion of an international conference.
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Chapter 2 I The evolution of protocol in diplomacy and negotiations
2.3 Protocol in ancient history
Traces of protocol can be found throughout ancient history. Egypt had the basics of a diplomatic system back in the 14th Century B.C. when dealing with neighbouring States. By the 8th Century B.C., China had organized a system of missions to manage the immensity of its territory.
Messengers were widely used in ancient Greece and Greek mythology; depicting a system of gods led by Hermes to ensure their security. Messengers and envoys were protected through an unwritten but recognized system of immunities from both aggression and arrest. They were the first true diplomats of the Western world. During times of war, they provided an on-going mean of communication between the battling parties.
As early as the 8th Century B.C., Greece began to expand throughout the Mediterranean world and established a constellation of city-States linked by a common culture and commercial interests. The model of city-States was very different from how we understand States today. For instance, there was no Head of State, no common Government, not even a common military system. To the contrary, these city-States were often in conflict with each other and established alliances when necessary to defend common interests. The system of city-States eventually dominated all the territories within the Mediterranean Sea. Colonies were set up by Greek emigration.
The prosperity of the city-States and the distances between them led to the development of a system of representation and reciprocity through the use of Proxenos. A Proxenos is the equivalent of what we would call an honorary consul – a representative looking after the interests of another city-State’s citizens. The Proxenos was provided with a Proxenia, a document that established his credentials.
The Proxenos’ main function was to defend the economic and political interests of the city-State he represented. The effectiveness of the Proxenos rested upon his ability to develop a network of political, economic and social connections that he would use to promote the interests of the city he represented. As such, Proxenos needed to have an understanding of the local politics and to be excellent negotiators. Their influence was primordial to prevent disagreements from escalating into military conflicts. They understood that peace was the prerequisite to prosperity. In case of conflict, they were expected to use all their political influence and connections to engage the parties in peace negotiations.
There is one preexisting condition for the materialization of protocol in diplomacy and international affairs: the desire of the parties to solve problems through constructive engagements rather than through the use of force. Throughout history, we can see how diplomacy and protocol progressed when nations abandoned warfare in favour of negotiations.
When nations extend their hegemony through sheer military strength, there is no avenue for diplomacy and protocol to flourish. The Roman Empire in its hegemony had a policy of approaching and solving problems through territorial expansion. Resistance to Rome’s rule was met by fierce military power as the Empire used to solve problems by imposing its will trough the use of force. As long as it was in full strength, the Empire did not see the need to give consideration to the concerns of its neighbours. The strength of the army coupled with a strong centralized power gave full control to the Empire’s leaders to expand the realm of their territorial influence through brutal force.
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva20
Peace demands that all parties are treated with respect and that their views are listened to in times of disagreement. Even though States are rarely, if ever, partners of equal political and socio-economic strength, rules of protocol allow for the parties and their representatives to feel that they are treated as equals. In a way, protocol neutralizes the possibility for human emotions to derail collaborative relationships between States by disregarding issues such as pride, inferiority or even the physical size of those involved.
Inevitably, following their separation into two States, with the Eastern Roman Empire having its capital in Constantinople and the remnants of the Roman Empire having its capital in Rome, pre-eminence in world affairs was lost. Neither faction had the ability of imposing its political agenda on other nations through the sheer use of force.
To fill this power vacuum, the political influence of the Church grew further when the Western Roman Empire was destroyed, in the 5th Century of our era. Precedence and protocol emerged as important tools in the rivalry between the Roman Catholic Church and the Byzantine Empire.
2.4 Protocol in the Byzantine Empire
The Emperors in Constantinople developed a system of complex ceremonies and rules of precedence to maintain their political influence. The end of the Western Roman Empire presented the opportunity for the Emperor in Constantinople to claim that he was the legitimate heir of the Roman Empire. The competition for political power with the Roman Catholic Church became fierce. As the importance of the Roman Catholic Church increased all over Europe, so did protocol. The envoys of the Pope from Rome were greeted around Europe – but especially in Constantinople – with sumptuous and complicated ceremonies to provide an image of an Emperor with a level of power and wealth that in reality he did not have. As the Empire was declining, the protocol followed grew more and more painfully intricate and the expression “byzantine” became the definition for situations rendered unduly complicated through the use of complex of processes.
2.5 The development of protocol practices in the Catholic Church and the Renaissance
The authority of the Roman Catholic Church expanded throughout Europe and the Pope had Papal emissaries dispatched to the various royal courts. These emissaries had precedence over secular envoys, a practice still followed in some Catholic countries where the Nuncio1 is granted the deanship of the diplomatic corps regardless of seniority. Rules and directives concerning the status and privileges of Papal envoys developed and served as a model for all secular envoys. Letters of Credentials provided the Papal envoys with the authority to act on behalf of the Pope.
1 The term Nuncio is derived from the word nuncios that means “envoy” in Latin.
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Chapter 2 I The evolution of protocol in diplomacy and negotiations
Northern Italy followed in the steps of the Catholic Church and established its first embassies in the 13th Century. Ceremonies for the presentation of Ambassadors’ credentials to the Head of State became the norm. Other European powers saw the benefit of having permanent missions and Ambassadors representing their interests in other countries and diplomatic representations spread to Eastern Europe, Russia and the Ottoman Empire.
As the number of royal courts grew, so did the competition between Ambassadors. Each Ambassador wanted precedence in ceremonies and social events to show the importance of his sovereign. In the absence of a system accepted by all courts, issues of precedence could take monumental proportions. A famous clash occurred in London in 1661 when a precedence issue was raised at the arrival of the carriages of the French and Spanish Ambassadors. War was narrowly averted.
2.6 The Congress of Vienna of 1815
The prime objective of the Congress was, in the aftermath of the end of the Napoleonic wars, to provide long-term peace for Europe. Despite its efforts, the decisions taken at the Congress did not prevent wars and conflicts in Europe. Nor did the Congress give birth to any international organization. However, it revealed a new approach for States to settle their disputes by establishing the principle of “conference diplomacy” as a tool for peaceful negotiations between conflicting factions.
It was the first time in the history of diplomacy that a conference of such dimension was organized. The conference lasted six months and was attended by some fifteen members of Royal families, 200 Princes and countless Heads of diplomatic missions. It brought together the victorious countries of Austria, Prussia, the United-Kingdom, Russia and representatives of Spain, Sweden, Portugal, the various kingdoms of Italy, the Holy See, etc. It also included vanquished France.
The presence of a number of Kings, Princes, Dukes, Ministers, and representatives created a quandary in the diplomatic hierarchy as each country wanted to impose its own system. The representatives of the major European powers also recognized the importance of protocol in diplomacy and adopted an international system of diplomatic ranks and titles still in use today: Ambassadors, Papal legates, Ministers plenipotentiary, Ministers resident, and Chargés d’affaires. They furthermore defined an order of precedence between diplomats according to their rank and the date of the presentation of their credentials.
The Congress also decided that country representatives would be seated at meetings according to the French alphabetical order and reaffirmed the principle of diplomatic immunity protecting diplomats from prosecution – a concept famously ignored by Napoleon when he refused to acknowledge diplomatic immunity by imprisoning several British diplomats accused of scheming against France.
The principle of organizing seating according to alphabetical order of country names is still followed today. If the English alphabetical order has taken pre-eminence, the French alphabet is still followed in conferences organized in Geneva and other French-speaking countries.
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva22
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Chapter 3 I International treaties on privileges and immunities
The Netherlands sign the United Nations Charter26 June 1945
UN Photo/McLain
Chapter 3
3.1 Introduction3.2 The United Nations Charter, 26 June 19453.3 The General Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 13 February 19463.4 The General Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies, 21 November 19473.5 The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 18 April 19613.6 Host Country Agreements
International treaties on privileges and immunities
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva24
• The codification of diplomatic intercourse and immunities was selected as a topic by the International Law Commission (ILC) at its first session in 1949.
• The issue became a regular agenda item at the meetings of the ILC until the UN Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities met in Vienna from 2nd March to 14 April 1961 and adopted the Convention.
• Delegates from 81 countries, 75 of which were members of the United Nations and 6 of related agencies or parties to the Statute of the International Court of Justice, attended the Conference.
3.1 Introduction
The fundamentals of diplomatic protocol are rooted in the system of “privileges and immunities”. This system allows diplomats to exercise their duties in a foreign country in full security of their person, the members of their household, their workplace (embassy or mission), their private residence, their documents, etc. When the United Nations was established, the privileges and immunities of its officials and of the Member States representatives needed to be defined. The current legal system is based on a series of international agreements starting with the United Nations Charter up until the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Immunities of 1961.
3.2 The United Nations Charter, 26 June 1945
The privileges and immunities of international organizations were largely uncharted territory when the United Nations was established in 1945. The Charter, in its Article 105, paragraph 1, specifies that “[t]he Organization shall enjoy in the territory of each of its Members such privileges and immunities are necessary for the fulfilment of its purposes”. The Preparatory Commission recognized that an adequate system of privileges and immunities was essential for officials of the United Nations to remain free from pressure exerted by Governments and to enable them to discharge their post’s duties efficiently.
3.3 The General Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 13 February 1946
It was with on this background that the Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations was negotiated and adopted by the General Assembly on 13 February 1946. Sometimes referred to as the New York Convention, it defines and specifies numerous issues related to the status of the United Nations, its assets and officials, in terms of privileges and immunities that must be granted to them by the Member States in which they reside.
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Chapter 3 I International treaties on privileges and immunities
According to the New York Convention, only the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General, the Under-Secretary-Generals and the Assistant Secretary-Generals have diplomatic immunities. All other officials of the United Nations are granted functional immunities. In addition, UNDP, UNFPA, UNCDF and UNICEF were established by the General Assembly as funds and programmes of the United Nations. As such, they are covered by the 1946 Convention.
3.4 The General Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies, 21 November 1947
Subsequently, the General Assembly recognized the need for agencies to enjoy the status of a legal person and extended their privileges and immunities modelled on those granted to the United Nations. The General Assembly adopted the Convention specific to the agencies in November 1947. The Convention was submitted to the specialized agencies for acceptance and entered into force on 2 December 1948.
3.5 The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 18 April 1961
Finally, 16 years after the creation of the United Nations, the Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities took place in Vienna. It adopted the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, an international treaty that enumerates the privileges and immunities granted to the members, premises, and communications of diplomatic missions. It also distinguished between the various categories of the members of diplomatic missions. Two years later, the United Nations adopted a closely related treaty, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
In its preamble, the Vienna Convention enumerates these conditions by clearly stating “that the purpose of such privileges and immunities is not to benefit individuals but to ensure the efficient performance of the functions of diplomatic missions as representing States”.
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva26
3.6 Host Country Agreements
The relationships between the United Nations and the various host countries are governed by individual Host Country Agreements. These Agreements detail the responsibilities of each party and the level of privileges and immunities granted to the staff of the United Nations. They follow common principles especially with regard to the privileges and immunities of the United Nations, its staff and Government representatives coming to duty stations on United Nations business, as well as regarding security matters, taxation and internal administration. However, each Host Country Agreement has its own specificities.
• The Host Country Agreement between Switzerland and the United Nations was signed on 19 April 1946. It followed the final meeting of the League of Nations held in Geneva on 12 April 1946. This session concerned itself with liquidating the League and transferring assets worth approximately 22 million USD in 1946 (including the Palace of Peace and the League’s archives) to the UN. The League of Nations ceased to exist on 20 April 1946.
• Switzerland was a member of the League of Nations but remained an Observer State of the United Nations until 10 September 2002, when, further to a referendum, it decided to become a full Member of the United Nations.
• Switzerland had, despite its non-membership, participated in the interval in a number of specialized UN agencies. It had, for example, been a member of the International Telecommunication Union since 1866 and a member of the Universal Postal Union since 1875.
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Chapter 4 I The United Nations system
The Dag Hammarskjold Library and the UN building in New York10 November 2011
UN Photo/JC McIlwaine
Chapter 4
4.1 Introduction4.2 The United Nations4.3 The funds and programmes, the research institutes and other related entities4.4 The specialized agencies of the United Nations system4.5 The related organizations
The United Nations system
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva28
4.1 Introduction
The overall structure of the United Nations family impacts on its protocol and it is therefore important to have a sound understanding of its various components. Lots of confusion can arise when referring to the United Nations. The term is used indiscriminately, especially in the media, in reference to international organizations that are linked to different degrees to the United Nations itself. The mention of the United Nations will sometimes refer to the United Nations Secretariat, sometimes to the funds and programmes, sometimes to the various agencies that are part of the large United Nations family. We will, in this chapter, provide an overview of what constitutes the United Nations in its largest term, that is the United Nations itself, the funds and programmes, the research institutes, the agencies and the organizations associated to the United Nations through specific agreements.
4.2 The United Nations
The Charter defines six main organs2:
• The General Assembly (UNGA) All Member States are represented at the General Assembly. • The Security Council (UNSC)Composed of five permanent Member States – China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and United States – and ten non-permanent Member States elected by the General Assembly for a two-year term.
• The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)The 54 Members of the ECOSOC are elected by the General Assembly.
• The Trusteeship CouncilThe Trusteeship Council is the only organ of the United Nations having completed its mandate.
• The International Court of Justice (ICJ)The ICJ is composed of fifteen judges elected to nine-year terms by the General Assembly and the Security Council. The ICJ has its headquarters in The Hague.
• The Secretariat, headed by the Secretary-GeneralThe some 45,000 staff of the Secretariat implement, under the
The Trusteeship Council suspended operations on 1st November 1994, with the independence of Palau, the last remaining United Nations trust territory, on 1st October 1994.
2 For a detailed explanation, please visit http://www.un.org/en/sections/about-un/main-organs/index.html
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Chapter 4 I The United Nations system
leadership of the Secretary-General, the work programmes mandated by the General Assembly, the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council. The Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council3. As international civil servants, staff members and the Secretary-General answer to the United Nations alone for their activities, and take an oath not to seek or receive instructions from any Government or outside authority. The General Assembly approves the budget of the Secretariat through its Fifth Committee.
4.3 The funds and programmes, the research institutes and other related entities
The funds and programmes, the research institutes and the “other entities” that are part of the United Nations were all created by General Assembly resolutions. However, they have their own administrative and executive boards reviewing and approving their work programmes. UN funds and programmes are financed through voluntary contributions rather than assessed contributions. The budgets of all these organizations are reviewed by the same body, the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), but are approved by their individual governing bodies.
This category includes:
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) • World Food Programme (WFP) • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) • United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) • United Nations Office for Project Service (UNOPS)• United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) • UN Women• United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT)
As well as the following main research and training institutes:
• United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)• United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)• United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI)• United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)• United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC)• United Nations University (UNU)
3 Charter of the United Nations, Chapter XV, Article 97 .
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva30
4.4 The specialized agencies of the United Nations system
The United Nations specialized agencies4 are autonomous organizations working with the United Nations and funded by both voluntary and assessed contributions. The agencies have each their own Member States assembly, similar to the UNGA, and are completely independent from both the United Nations and the UNGA with regards to their work programme and budget. The Head of each agency is selected by the agency’s own governmental body according to its own rules. Some of the UN agencies, like the ILO, predate the creation of the United Nations. Specialized agencies are autonomous organizations that work with the United Nations and each other through the coordinating mechanism of ECOSOC.
The UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB5) provides a forum for coordination and cooperation on a whole range of substantive and management issues common to the United Nations and the United Nations system agencies. The CEB is chaired by the UN Secretary-General. In addition to its regular reviews of contemporary political issues and major concerns facing the UN system, on the basis of recommendations from bodies reporting to it, the CEB approves policy statements on behalf of the UN system as a whole.
• Food an Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO)• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)• International Labour organization (ILO)• International Monetary Fund (IMF)• International Maritime Organization (IMO)• International Telecommunication Union (ITU)• UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)• UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)• Universal Postal Union (UPU)• World Health Organization (WHO)• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)• World Bank Group (WBG)• World Meteorological Organization (WMO)• World Tourism Organization (WTO)
4.5 The related organizations
Some international organizations have long-term established relationships with the United Nations through individual arrangements:
• Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Preparatory Commission (CTBTO PrepCom)• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)• Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)• World Trade Organization (WTO)
4 A complete list of the agencies can be found on: http://www.un.org/en/sections/about-un/funds-programmes-specialized-agencies- and-others/index.html5 For further details, please visit: https://undg.org/home/about-undg/governance-structures/chief-executives-board/
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Chapter 5 I The four Protocol and Liaison Services of the United Nations
A view of UN Offices in Nairobi31 March 2011
UN Photo/Mark Garten
Chapter 5
5.1 The Secretariat and the Offices away from Headquarters5.2 The responsibilities and functions of the Protocol and Liaison Services5.3 The support of the Host Country5.4 The role of the permanent missions with regard to protocol support
The four Protocol and Liaison Services of the United Nations
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva32
5.1 The Secretariat and the Offices away from Headquarters
In addition to the Secretariat in New York, referred to as the “Headquarters” (UNHQ), the United Nations has three “Offices away from Headquarters” (OAHs):
• The United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG)• The United Nations Office in Vienna (UNOV)• The United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON)
These Offices are headed by a Director-General (DG) who acts as the direct representative of the Secretary-General.
New York, Geneva, Vienna, and Nairobi host permanent missions with Permanent Representatives accredited to the respective United Nations Offices. These three Offices facilitate diplomatic activities and are major centres of United Nations conferences. While the United Nations maintains an important presence in many other countries, there are no other locations with permanent missions accredited to the United Nations.
The UNHQ and the three Offices away from Headquarters have each a Protocol and Liaison Service. Each of these offices acts as a liaison between the United Nations and the permanent missions of Member States, the Observer States, international organizations, other organizations of the United Nations system and entities approved by the General Assembly. It is to be noted that agencies of the UN system have their own protocol service.
5.2 The responsibilities and functions of the Protocol and Liaison Services
The core responsibilities and functions of the Protocol and Liaison Services in all four duty stations are similar:
• Provide assistance for the opening of new permanent missions;• Plan and execute the ceremony for the presentation of credentials of newly appointed Permanent
Representatives;• Prepare and coordinate the visits to the United Nations by Heads of State, Heads of Government,
Cabinet Ministers and other high-level officials, as well as the programme for their spouses;• Receive and escort dignitaries during their visit at the United Nations;• Coordinate with the various United Nations Offices for the visit of high-Government officials i.e Office
of the Secretary-General, security, media, conference services, etc.;• Accredit all Government officials, representatives of intergovernmental organizations and others
accredited to the General Assembly, the representatives of non-governmental organizations, etc. attending United Nations events and provide the appropriate access passes;
• Register members of the diplomatic community and liaise with the Host Country on visa issuances and other administrative issues for the international diplomatic community;
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Chapter 5 I The four Protocol and Liaison Services of the United Nations
• Accompany the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General, and the Director-General on some official foreign travels, and provide protocol coverage of their activities at major international events;
• Organize the meetings of the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General, and the respective Directors-General with international dignitaries;
• Plan the social diplomatic events for the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General, and the respective Directors-General, as well as those for their spouses;
• Oversee the planning and execution of United Nations ceremonies;• Provide guidance and advice to permanent missions of Member States, permanent observer missions
and permanent observer offices, and other requesting clarifications on United Nations protocol usage and practice, diplomatic etiquette, order of precedence and the use of the United Nations flag;
• Publish and maintain lists of dignitaries: the Manual of Protocol, the United Nations “Blue Book”, a list of Heads of State, Heads of Government, and Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and a list of United Nations senior officials7.
5.3 The support of the Host Country
The Host Country provides key services to the diplomatic community including:
• Airport arrival, departure and diplomatic “special” aircraft over flight and landing clearances;• Security support for visiting dignitaries and for the diplomatic community, according to set rules and
standards;• Provision of diplomatic identity cards, privileges and immunities;• Liaison with local authorities.
5.4 The role of the permanent missions with regards to protocol support
Permanent missions work together with the United Nations Protocol and Liaison Service and the Host Country to ensure that the visits of their dignitaries to the United Nations are managed without flaws. This practice starts from the point of arrival to the point of departure in the duty station. Their duties in this regard can be summarized as follows:
• Be responsible for all logistic support for the visit of dignitaries i.e hotel, limousines, family, etc.;• Liaise with the Host Country on airport courtesy, security arrangements, airport landing clearance, etc.;• Inform the Service of protocol of the arrival of a new Permanent Representative and of any change in
the diplomatic staff of the mission;• Request the accreditation for the visit of the dignitaries;• Request the proper passes for the dignitaries, their entourage, the accompanying press and media;• Be responsible for all the official activities of dignitaries outside the United Nations.
7 For further details, please visit https://www.un.int/protocol/
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva34
35
Chapter 6 I Precedence at the United Nations
A view of the Human rights Council Chamber 10 June 2014
UN Photo / Jean-Marc Ferré
Chapter 6
6.1 Order of precedence between Government and United Nations officials6.2 Order of precedence between the President of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General6.3 Order of precedence between Government representatives at the United Nations6.4 Order of precedence between United Nations senior officials6.5 Seating arrangements for the General Assembly and United Nations conferences6.6 Order of speakers at the General Debate
Precedence at the United Nations
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva36
6.1 Order of precedence between Government and United Nations officials
The task of establishing precedence is probably more complex at the United Nations than in any traditional national apparatus, simply because, as a rule, protocol and social functions involve several groups of participants. These include Heads of State or Government, Cabinet Ministers, Permanent Representatives and Permanent Observers, senior United Nations officials, intergovernmental organizations and the larger UN family of specialized agencies. The task is compounded by having to balance the numerous national titles, such as State Secretary and Director-General or senior Vice-Minister and Special Adviser with cabinet rank, and to give each of them their proper due.
It is notable that the Manual of Protocol of the United Nations prepared by the New York Protocol and Liaison Service opens with the following statement: “This publication is by no means an exhaustive review of protocol matters and diplomatic etiquette’’8.
The issue of precedence of Government representatives to the United Nations was settled in 1968 through a Note from the Secretary-General. The fact that it took twenty-three years after the creation of the Organization to come up with a satisfactory solution is a clear indication that the issue was the subject of heated debates9.
6.2 Order of precedence between the President of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General
The President of the General Assembly is held to be the most senior official, followed by the Secretary-General when the General Assembly is in session. That order is reversed for the rest of the year when the Assembly is not in session. This situation is rather unique in the world of multilateral diplomacy.
The underlying reason therefor is that the President of the General Assembly is elected by Member States for a one-year period and remains an official of his/her Government during his/her term as President. He/she presides over the General Assembly, which is the main deliberative, policy making, and representative organ of the United Nations. The General Assembly provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion, which encompasses the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter. It meets in regular session from September to December each year, and thereafter as required.
The Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council for a five-year, renewable term. He/she heads the Secretariat which carries out the day-to-day work of the Organization according to the work programme set up by the General Assembly. He/she also services the other principal organs of the United Nations and administers the programmes and policies laid down by them.
8 Ibid.9 Precedence of representatives to the United Nations: note by the Secretary-General, DOCUMENT A/CN.4?L.129, 3 July 1968.
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Chapter 6 I Precedence at the United Nations
When the Secretary-General travels outside the duty stations, he/she is usually received with the same protocol as bestowed to a Head of State or Head of Government, and at a minimum, a Minister of Foreign Affairs. It is up to the Host Country to decide on the level of protocol required when organizing the visit of the Secretary-General.
6.3 Order of precedence between Government representatives at the United Nations
The precedence of Government representatives takes into account a combination of criteria. In accordance with international practice, Heads of State have precedence over Heads of Government, Deputy Heads of Government, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and other Cabinet Ministers.
However, a specific order of precedence is used when meeting senior officials elected to United Nations main organs. This order can be summarized as follows10:
• President of the General Assembly• President of the main organs: Security Council, ECOSOC, Trusteeship Council and ICJ• Vice-Presidents of the General Assembly with the rank of Minister of Foreign Affairs or Cabinet
Minister• Heads of State• Heads of Government• ex-Presidents of the General Assembly• Ministers of Foreign Affairs• Other Cabinet Ministers, Chairmen of the General Assembly Committees• Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs• Permanent Representatives
6.4 Order of precedence between United Nations senior officials
The Secretary-General has precedence over all senior officials of the United Nations system. Precedence between United Nations senior staff members follows a number of unwritten practices and takes into consideration the hierarchical rank of their position.
The Director-Generals of UNOG, UNOV and UNON are given first precedence over other United Nations officials at their duty station. Heads of agencies and Heads of funds and programmes have precedence over Under-Secretary-Generals and Assistant Secretary-Generals.
10 Ibid., paragraph 5.
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva38
The following order is commonly used:
• Secretary-General of the of the United Nations• Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations• Director-Generals of UNOG, UNOV, UNON• Heads of agencies • Heads of funds and programmes• Under-Secretaries-Generals• Assistant-Secretaries-Generals• Directors
When an international event is hosted by a Member State, the State will determine the order of precedence it wishes to apply taking into account the practices followed at the United Nations.
Chapter 9 outlines the details of the orders of precedence followed in Geneva.
6.5 Seating arrangements for the General Assembly and United Nations conferences
The criterion of alphabetical order of the names of States is used for seating at the sessions of the General Assembly and international conferences11. Since it would be inequitable to always have the countries whose names appear early in the alphabet sitting at the front, the name of the country from which the alphabetical order will start as of the following year is drawn by the Secretary-General every year. This happens right before the opening of the General Assembly session. That country will occupy the front-most left position.
The alphabetical order is usually designated in the English language unless the meeting is held in a French-speaking country, in which case the French alphabetical order prevails. The French alphabetical order is followed in Geneva.
A small ceremonial accompanies Heads of State when they address the General Assembly. A special armchair with a high back is placed on the podium when a Head of State addresses the General Assembly. The Chief of Protocol will escort the Head of State to the armchair while the audience applauds. The Chief of Protocol will then escort the Head of State from the armchair to the lectern. The same, in reverse, will apply when the Head of State concludes his/her speech.
11 Ibid.
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Chapter 6 I Precedence at the United Nations
6.6 Order of speakers at the General Debate
The order of speakers is given first to Member States, then to Observer States and finally to intergovernmental organizations with an observer status. Any other observer entity will have a chance to speak at the end of the Debate, if so desired.
The order of speakers for the opening session is:
• The Secretary-General of the United Nations• The President of the General Assembly• The President of Brazil, by tradition since the 10th Session of the General Assembly in 1955• The President of the United States, as President of the Host Country
If the Head of State of the President of the General Assembly wishes to speak at the opening meeting, it is customary to grant him/her the floor after the President of the United States has finished his/her speech.
While Heads of State are given precedence over Heads of Government, it is also common, for scheduling purposes, to have Heads of Government speak at the same session as Heads of State. The Holy See, the State of Palestine and the European Union are invited to participate in the General Debate. Their speaking slot is determined by the rank of their representative.
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva40
41
Chapter 7 I The Swiss Confederation and the United Nations in Geneva
Secretary-General Addresses Swiss Parliament11 September 2012
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré
Chapter 7
7.1 The Swiss Confederation7.2 Bern and Geneva7.3 The Republic and Canton of Geneva7.4 The political system of Geneva7.5 The importance of Geneva as a centre of international diplomacy
The Swiss Confederation and the United Nations in Geneva
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva42
7.1 The Swiss Confederation
Protocol traditions in Geneva emanate from the political structure of the Swiss Confederation. To understand the way protocol is applied in Geneva, it is important to grasp the principles of the political system in place in Switzerland. The official name of Switzerland is the Swiss Confederation and not the Helvetic Confederation as it is sometimes referred to. The use of the term “Confederation” reflects the Swiss political system as it existed before 1848. The Confederation is since that date a federal State composed of 26 Cantons and half-Cantons. The system operates on a constitutional division between the federal and cantonal levels. The Cantons retain many jurisdictions ranging from education to health care and public safety. The main areas of competence retained by the federal Government comprise foreign affairs, defence, finance, economics, external trade, social insurances, energy and law. Some shared competencies with the Cantons include justice, social security, economy and transport.
The Government is called the Federal Council. It is composed of 7 members and acts as a college. The Federal Council is the Head of State. However, each year, a member of the Council is elected as President of the Confederation according to a principle of rotation. As such, he/she fulfils certain ceremonial functions as if she/he were the Head of State.
The parliament consists of two chambers. The National Council is composed of 200 members and represents the people. Similarly, the Council of States hosts 46 members and represents the Cantons. The presidents of both bodies are elected for a period of one year. When a member of the Federal Council represents the latter in a public ceremony at the national level, an usher wearing a cocked hat and a red and white coat accompanies him/her.
7.2 Bern and Geneva
One should remember that the capital of Switzerland is Bern – where all bilateral embassies are located. One Agency of the United Nations system, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), has since its establishment in 1874 been headquartered in Bern.
Due to the Swiss federal structure, diplomats based in Geneva can be found, depending on the circumstances, in the position of having to adhere to certain federal or cantonal protocol rules. However, the federal protocol applies only in the rare cases when senior Swiss officials are on visit in Geneva. For everything related to the United Nations, the rules prevailing in the Republic and Canton of Geneva together with the practices followed at UNOG apply.
7.3 The Republic and Canton of Geneva
Due to the federal system enshrined in the constitution of Switzerland, the Republic and the Canton of Geneva works in close cooperation with the Permanent Mission of Switzerland, the representative of the Host Country, in all protocol matters related to the United Nations’ organizations in Geneva.
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Chapter 7 I The Swiss Confederation and the United Nations in Geneva
7.4 The political system of Geneva
The Republic and Canton of Geneva is based, as any democratic State, on three levels of power: the executive, the legislative and the judicial.
The Council of State represents the executive power. It is composed of 7 members, among which one acts as President during the entire legislature. The cantonal parliament, the Grand Council, only hosts one chamber. As regards the judicial power, the Attorney General, who is elected by the people and directs all magistrates, occupies a special position.
Each Canton is divided into municipalities that have their own legislative and executive powers. The most important of them is the city of Geneva where the executive is called the Administrative Council. The Administrative Council is a board composed of five people that is chaired on an annual rotation basis by one of its members who then bears the title of Mayor of Geneva. He/she takes office annually on the 1st of June.
It should be noted that, both at the cantonal and city level, it is customary for the magistrate representing the executive power during a ceremony to be accompanied by a usher wearing a cocked hat and a red and yellow bicoloured coat.
Some major United Nations programmes, departments and institutes are headquartered in Geneva:• Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• International Trade Centre (ITC)
• Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
• United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
• Office of the High-Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
• United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)
• United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
• United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)
• International Computing Centre (ICC)
Municipalities of the Canton of Geneva, 2007Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva44
7.5 The importance of Geneva as a centre of international diplomacy
Over the last century, the number of international organizations that have established their headquarters in Geneva has grown exponentially. Today, Switzerland is home to 24 international organizations, 21 of which are headquartered in Geneva.
Close to 250 non-governmental organizations – most of which are affiliated to the United Nations – are based in Switzerland. Geneva is recognized as the world’s centre for international conferences and is as such regarded as a major operational base for activities in both the economic and social fields.
Since joining the UN in September 2002, Switzerland has been active in all United Nations programmes, notably in issues ranging from security, peace, combating poverty, and human rights adherence and promotion, to the safeguarding of natural resources. Membership offers Switzerland the opportunity to participate in the search for solutions to global problems, and to accept its share of responsibilities for exerting a positive influence on world affairs. However, the UN also offers Switzerland the ideal forum within which to represent its own national interests. Reaching agreements between all States is essential for dealing with the major challenges facing today’s world, and contributes to the stability of the international system.
It is therefore in the interest of Switzerland to help promote a strong and well-functioning UN. To this end, Switzerland participates actively in the debates on UN reforms, and, by contributing with ideas and pragmatic proposals, helps drafting tangible solutions. Switzerland has managed to make itself heard on an important number of questions including the creation of a Human Rights Council, the reform of the Security Council, international policies on the environment, development cooperation and humanitarian aid, promotion of the rule of law, as well as a number of financial and administrative issues.12
Five agencies of the United Nations family have their headquarters in Geneva:
1. The International Labour Organization (ILO)
2. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
3. The World Health Organization (WHO)
4. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
5. The World Intellectual Property (WIPO)
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) has its headquarters in Bern.
12 For more details, please visit: http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/topics/intorg/un.html
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Chapter 8 I The complex situation of diplomatic protocol in Geneva
Palais des Nations, Geneva14 February 2014
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré
Chapter 8
8.1 The United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)8.2 The four actors of protocol in Geneva8.3 The two Permanent Missions of the Swiss Confederation in Geneva8.4 The Republic and Canton of Geneva and the City of Geneva8.5 The Protocol and Liaison Service of UNOG8.6 The Diplomatic Committee
The complex situation of diplomatic protocol in Geneva
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva46
8.1 The United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)
The core of the United Nations activities in Geneva is the United Nations Office at Geneva housed in the Palais de Nations. With over 1,600 staff, UNOG is the second largest United Nations Office, after the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
UNOG is responsible for the administrative and other support services for various United Nations organizations. However, its main function is to provide conference facilities for the United Nations meetings held in Geneva as well as for United Nations conferences held in other locations; both within and outside Switzerland. In any given year, UNOG services more than 8,000 meetings.
Heads of State, Heads of Government, Ministers, Government officials of all ranks, thousands of delegates, representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and leaders of international corporations meet in Geneva on an on-going basis to address international issues, exchange ideas, and debate. The Palais des Nations offers a unique opportunity for personnel to meet privately in the various rooms available and discuss in all secrecy.
8.2 The four actors of protocol in Geneva
The protocol arrangements in vigour to guide the activities of diplomats accredited to the United Nations in Geneva involve various actors:
• The Host Country represented by the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and to the other international organizations in Geneva;
• The Canton and Republic of Geneva;• The Protocol and Liaison Service of the United Nations Office at Geneva; and• The Diplomatic Committee.
The following chapter will systematically detail how these actors collaborate to provide protocol support to the permanent missions, the United Nations and other international organizations based in Geneva.
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Chapter 8 I The complex situation of diplomatic protocol in Geneva
8.3 The two Permanent Missions of the Swiss Confederation in Geneva
The Swiss Confederation is represented in Geneva by two Permanent Missions.
8.3.1 The Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and to the other international organizations in Geneva
Usually referred to as the Swiss Mission, the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and to the other international organizations in Geneva13 represents the Host Country in its relations with the international organizations and other permanent representations. It has a dual role.
The Multilateral Division performs all tasks specific to multilateral diplomacy. It:
• Represents and protects national interests;• Participates in the activities of the various organizations;• Negotiates on behalf of the Swiss Confederation, etc.
The Host Country Division endorses the core responsibilities that usually fall under the jurisdiction of a federal service of protocol. It:
• Operates as the Protocol Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;• Manages the status of 24 international organizations, 253 permanent missions and close to 40,000
employees;• Deals with all questions raised by the regime of privileges and immunities;• Is responsible for issuing and withdrawing the “cartes de légitimation” provided by the Federal
Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA); • Is the diplomatic channel to all the Swiss authorities (federal, cantonal and municipal) for all matters
related to international organizations, permanent missions and their staff.
It is the Swiss Mission that represents the federal Government at the arrival of dignitaries on official duty at Geneva airport.
8.3.2 The Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
The Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the WTO and the EFTA focuses on economic issues and monitors the work of the related United Nations bodies: the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the International Trade Centre (ITC).
13 For further details , please visit: https://www.dfae.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/foreign-policy/international-organizations/un/ch-missions-un/ mission-geneva.html
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva48
8.4 The Republic and Canton of Geneva and the City of Geneva
The Swiss federal system gives to the Cantons of the Confederation a large autonomy in several sectors. The Republic and Canton of Geneva thus has a central role to play in hosting international organizations located on its territory. It has developed specific protocol rules contained in the “Règlement concernant le Protocole” (Geneva Protocol Regulations, see Annex 1)14.
The authorities of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the City of Geneva and the Canton of Vaud support the Swiss Mission in many of its protocol and liaison functions through specific activities located in the following services and offices:
• The Protocol Service of the Republic and Canton of Geneva• The Public Relations Service of the City of Geneva• The Office of Public Affairs of the Canton of Vaud
One of the most common occasions for diplomats to be confronted to the Geneva protocol is at the arrival and departure of dignitaries at the Geneva International Airport (AIG), coordinated by the AIG Protocol Office (Service Accueil et Protocole).
The arrival ceremony is often organized according to the following scheme in the event of a motorcade:
• The Chief of Protocol of the Republic and Canton of Geneva greets the person arriving at the arrival gate/ladder and accompanies him/her to the receiving line;
• The first person on the receiving line is an usher with a red and yellow coat and a hat. He/she should not be greeted. The usher is only there to accompany the member of the Government of Geneva. According to Geneva protocol practices, he/she has to be at the right hand side of the member of Government in all ceremonies held in Geneva;
• The President of the State Council of Geneva or a member of the Council heads the receiving line;• The Chief of Protocol presents each person on the receiving line;• Parties enter their cars;• Upon departure, the Protocol Service is always present but the presence of a member of the Geneva
Government is not compulsory.
In the Republic and Canton of Geneva, public buildings permanently fly the flag of Geneva. Most permanent missions raise their national flag at their chancery but seldom at the residence.
Geneva protocol foresees that missions and residences should raise their flags at least on the following days of each year: May 5th, June 1st, August 1st, December 11-12th, and December 30th and 31st, which are all commemorative days in Geneva.
14 The “Règlement concernant le Protocole” goes together with a Law on Protocol, the “Loi sur le Protocole”, published by the Grand Council of the Canton and Republic of Geneva in September 2011: http://www.ge.ch/legislation/rsg/main.html.
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Chapter 8 I The complex situation of diplomatic protocol in Geneva
8.5 The Protocol and Liaison Service of UNOG
Located within the Office of the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, the Protocol and Liaison Service of UNOG15 provides all the protocol and liaison functions required by the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General, the Director-General of UNOG, and the diplomatic community associated to the United Nations in Geneva.
The Protocol and Liaison Service of the United Nations Office at Geneva has compiled guidelines on diplomatic courtesy in Geneva for the convenience of the diplomatic community. These guidelines aim for a better understanding of Geneva’s diplomatic scene and provide useful information for the diplomatic community. The guidelines detail the process required to open a permanent mission, the presentation of credentials by a newly appointed Permanent Representative, protocol upon assuming functions and end of tenure, registration forms, etc. (see Annex 2 – Guidelines on diplomatic courtesy in Geneva).
8.6 The Diplomatic Committee
The Diplomatic Committee is a tripartite forum for consultation and discussion of all issues that have an impact on the work of the diplomatic community in Geneva. It seeks to promote and strengthen the relations between the Host Country, the diplomatic community in Geneva, and UNOG.
The Committee meets periodically and is composed of two representatives at an ambassadorial level nominated by each regional group, as well as by the Representative of China. The Chairman of the Committee is selected among the members of the diplomatic community on a geographical rotational basis for a one-year term, starting on 1st January of each calendar year. A Vice-President is also selected to act in the absence of the Chairman and automatically assumes the presidency the following year.
The Committee may consider all questions of general interest, including privileges and immunities, housing, transport and insurance, with a view to expressing opinions and proposing solutions to the Host Country or to the Director-General of UNOG. The Committee may also discuss questions related to the security of missions and their personnel with the Host Country.
Representatives of the Host Country regularly participate in the meetings of the Committee. The Director-General of UNOG, the Chief of the Protocol and Liaison Service, and the Legal Adviser of UNOG also participate in the work of the Committee. They provide assistance, and bring to notice questions of mutual interest concerning the Headquarters Agreement concluded by international organizations and the Swiss Federal Council in April 1996.
15 For further details, please visit: http://www.unog.ch/80256EE600583A0B/(httpPages)/C74E8320A262FCAEC12578540038D46F?OpenDoc ument
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Chapter 9 I The specificities of protocol at Geneva
Name plates at the General Assembly 5 September 2012
UN Photo/JC McIlwaine
Chapter 9
9.1 Order of precedence within the United Nations family9.2 Order of precedence between senior Government officials9.3 Order of precedence between Permanent Representatives accredited to the United Nations Office at Geneva9.4 Order of precedence between members of permanent missions and other delegates9.5 Order of precedence between the representatives of the Republic and Canton of Geneva and the diplomatic community
The specificities of protocol at Geneva
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva52
9.1 Order of precedence within the United Nations family
Geneva’s status is rather special due to the number of international organizations, programmes and specialized agencies having their headquarters in the City of Calvin.
The Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations have precedence over all other officials of any international organization whether or not the organization is part of the United Nations system.
In the absence of the Secretary-General or the Deputy Secretary-General, the Director-General of UNOG has precedence over the Director-Generals and Secretary-Generals of international organizations.
In turn, the Heads of international agencies have precedence over the Heads of United Nations funds and programmes, subsidiary organs, research institutes, etc. The logic behind this rule is that the Heads of international agencies represent intergovernmental organs that are independent from the United Nations General Assembly, while the Heads of United Nations funds and programmes, subsidiary organs, research institutes, etc. represent organizations that are all subsidiary to the General Assembly. The custom is that Heads of agencies are ranked according to the date the specialized agency signed an agreement with the United Nations. Heads of United Nations programmes are ranked according to the date of the creation of the programme. However, the UNDP Administrator has, by tradition, precedence over the Heads of other United Nations programmes.
The order of precedence in Geneva would be as follows:
• Secretary-General of the United Nations• Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations• Director-Generals of UNOG, UNOV, UNON• Heads of ILO, FAO, UNESCO, ICAO, UPU, IMF, WBG, WHO, ITU, WMO, IMO, WIPO, WTO, IAEA, UNIDO,
IFAD• Heads of UNDP, UNCTAD, UNEP, UNHCR, UNRWA, UNICEF, UNFPA, WFP, UNODC, OHCHR• Under-Secretaries-General• Assistant Secretaries-General • Directors
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Chapter 9 I The specificities of protocol at Geneva
The ranking of the specialized agencies can be pictured as follows:
The ranking of the funds and programmes and subsidiary bodies is as follows:
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva54
9.2 Order of precedence between senior government officials
The United Nations follows international practices with regards to precedence of government officials:
• Heads of State• Heads of Government• Ministers of Foreign Affairs• Other Cabinet Ministers• Permanent Representatives• Others
9.3 Order of precedence between Permanent Representatives accredited to the United Nations Office at Geneva
Permanent Representatives who are Head of a delegation are ranked after the Ministers. They are then followed by their collaborators, starting with those with the rank of Ambassador. Importantly, as it is up to each country to rank people within its own delegation according to its own rules, the mission will need to notify the Protocol and Liaison Service of a newly arriving representative and his/her rank within the mission. Although the order within missions can differ, the following list represents the norm used by most missions to organize their order of precedence:
• Minister • Permanent Representative• Ambassador • First Secretary• Second Secretary• Others
There are three governing principles of precedence between members of diplomatic missions16:
• The class of the individual in the sending State’s diplomatic service; • Whether or not the person is the Chargé d’affaires of the mission; • The date/time the individual assumed her/his responsibilities.
The nature of an event will often dictate whether a Permanent Representative will be given precedence over another even if he/she has a more recent date of receiving credentials. For example, when dealing with representatives of the WTO also covering UNCTAD and UNECE, precedence is always given to the Permanent Representatives at UNOG as they are accredited to the United Nations. The same rule applies even if an Ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament represents his country in one of the United Nations organs’ meetings.
16 Precedence of representatives to the United Nations: note by the Secretary-General. DOCUMENT A/CN.4 L.129, 3 July 1968.
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Chapter 9 I The specificities of protocol at Geneva
One should note that the seats in the meeting rooms are arranged in alphabetical order. This implies that there is no order of precedence during the sessions, as each country is considered as sovereign to nominate its representatives. However, if a social event takes place in this framework, the order of precedence will be applied.
9.4 Order of precedence between members of permanent missions and other delegates
9.4.1 Order of speakers at an international conference
The order of speakers at an international conference in Geneva would be as follows. After the Executive Director opens the conference, follow:
• Heads of State• Heads of Government• Ministers• Regional group representatives• Delegates from Member States • Intergovernmental organizations • Specialized agencies• Non-governmental organizations
9.4.2 Precedence between Permanent Representatives and Heads of secretariats of international organizations
The Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva takes precedence over Permanent Representatives.
Directors-General or Secretaries-General of specialized agencies should be given precedence over Permanent Representatives when invited by a Permanent Representative.
As to other intergovernmental organizations, their Heads should be given precedence over Permanent Representatives when this practice is in conformity with the nature of the social gathering in question.
In social gatherings in honour of a famous figure, the latter takes precedence over all other guests. In such cases, this should be mentioned in the invitations. In social gatherings organized by or in connection with special bodies, their established practices prevail.
Traditionally, in view of the long-presence of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Switzerland, the President of the ICRC takes precedence over Permanent Representatives, while the latter take precedence over other officials of the ICRC.
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva56
9.4.3 Precedence between Permanent Representatives and other delegates attending conferences
In social gatherings related to a conference, precedence between Heads of delegation is determined either according to the alphabetical order of the countries represented, or in conformity with the established practices of the conference in question. Presiding officers may take precedence over other Heads of delegation. In gatherings that are not related to a conference, precedence is usually given to Permanent Representatives.
9.4.4 Precedence between Permanent Representatives and Ambassadors
According to the Guidelines on Diplomatic Courtesy in Geneva, between Permanent Representatives accredited to the Geneva Office and the Permanent Representative of the Host Country, precedence can, by courtesy, be given to the latter. It should be noted, however, that Heads of mission with dual accreditation to the United Nations and to the Swiss Confederation should respect the federal protocol rules in the course of the performance of their official duties as Ambassadors to Switzerland (see Annex 3 – Protocol Regulations for the Swiss Confederation).
9.5 Order of precedence between the representatives of the Republic and Canton of Geneva and the diplomatic community
The Republic and Canton of Geneva and the City of Geneva organize various events jointly with the Swiss Confederation such as receptions, concerts, and opera performances for the diplomatic corps.When an event is organized and includes political representatives from the Republic and Canton of Geneva as well as the international community in Geneva, the Geneva Protocol Regulations apply. Often, when two or more parties are ranked at the same level, the Geneva representative is given precedence as “host”. If there are two (or more) parties in addition to the local representative, the protocol of the United Nations (or whichever applicable body, e.g. churches/teaching bodies) will apply. Swiss protocol is only used when a member of the Swiss Federal Council attends a ceremony, which is seldom the case. Otherwise, it is the Geneva protocol that applies.
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Chapter 10 I Policy on gifts at the United Nations
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Receives Gift from Senegalese Artist 12 March 2008
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
Chapter 10
10.1 Gifts by Member States to the United Nations10.2 Gifts to the Secretary-General10.3 Gifts to United Nations officials and staff
Policy on gifts at the United Nations
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva58
The exchange of gifts is part of a long-term tradition in protocol. At the same time, the United Nations has to be very careful in the ways in which it handles gifts, awards, decorations, etc. in order to ensure that it maintains the highest ethical standards. In that regard, the United Nations distinguishes between gifts from Member States to the Organization and gifts to United Nations officials.
10.1 Gifts by Member States to the United Nations
The United Nations Office at Geneva inherited a considerable number of works of art from the League of Nations, whose headquarters were located in the same building, the Palais des Nations. Since the Second World War, and especially during the past decade, this collection has been enlarged to a remarkable extent, largely due to the many generous donations from the United Nations Member States. Today, the collection comprises a large number of works of art, including sculptures, frescoes, stained glass panels, tapestries, paintings, portrait drawings, engravings, prints, posters and even caricatures. The work of some artists is characterized by the use of unique or unusual materials and techniques.
In principle, Member States are limited to one gift, but in a few instances, more than one offering has been accepted. They are usually substantial in size and/or in value. Member States are therefore responsible for the installation of the offered artefacts to the Organization and their maintenance. At UNOG, proposals for donations are presented to the Cultural Activities Committee, which decides whether the proposed work is consistent with the principles of the United Nations art collection, and whether the practical requirements for its installation can be met.
Individual artists and non-governmental organizations often seek to present works of art to the United Nations. While some were accepted in the past, the policy that has been strictly observed for the last 20 years is to accept gifts only from Member States. The ceremonies for the unveiling of these gifts are conducted and coordinated by the Office of Protocol.
Note from the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: “The good name of the United Nations is one of its most valuable assets, but also one of its most vulnerable. Integrity and accountability should be the guideposts for each and every one of us”.
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Chapter 10 I Policy on gifts at the United Nations
10.2 Gifts to the Secretary-General
The exchange of gifts is a traditional part of diplomatic courtesy. Dignitaries who visit the Secretary-General will often come with gifts. These gifts are always received by the Chief of Protocol on behalf of the Secretary-General. They need to be checked by security and are therefore not opened during a public ceremony. This is also a discreet way to avoid any possible embarrassing situation. What is an appropriate gift in one culture might not be so appropriate in another. When in travel, the Secretary-General regularly receives gifts from visiting officials in New York and other travel destinations. These gifts are considered personal and it is left to the discretion of the Secretary-General to dispose of them.
10.3 Gifts to United Nations officials and staff
The United Nations Organization is very concerned with ensuring both the independence and impartiality of its staff members. As such, it prohibits its officials to receive any favours, gifts or remuneration from governmental and non-governmental sources17. Given the refusal of a gift would cause embarrassment to the Organization, a staff member may receive it on behalf of the Organization and entrust it to the Secretary-General or its designated officials. In practice, “consumable goods” (e.g., alcohol, chocolates, etc.) may be kept by the officials, after having been reported to the appropriate office, but must be shared with colleagues. Nominal gifts (for example calendars or books) can also be kept by the officials. All other gifts have to be deposited with the United Nations.
17 Staff regulation 1.2 and staff rule 1.2 and ST/AI/2010/1 Reporting, retaining and disposing of honours, decorations, favours, gifts or remuneration from governmental and non-governmental sources.
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Chapter 11 I Protocol for mourning at the United Nations
The United Nations flag at headquarters flies at half-mast in memory of the United
Nations peackeepers who lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Sierra Leone30 June 2004
UN Photo/Mark Garten
Chapter 11
11.1 The United Nations flag11.2 Book of Condolences11.3 Commemoration ceremonies
Protocol for mourning at the United Nations
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva62
11.1 The United Nations flag
The flag of the United Nations was adopted by the General Assembly as an official emblem of the Organization on 7 December 1946. Subsequently, the Secretary-General issued a Flag Code on 19 December 194718.
The United Nations flag is flown at half-mast upon the death of a Head of State or Head of Government of a Member State for one day. The Flag Code specifies that the flag should be flown at half-mast immediately upon learning of the death. However, the practice has evolved and nowadays, the Chief of Protocol will ask the permanent mission which day the flag should be flown at half-mast. Many Member States opt for the day of the funerals. When the United Nations flag is lowered, no other flags are flown. The flags are not lowered once they are already flying. This means that the United Nations flag will be at half-mast from sunrise to sundown.
The Secretary-General can decide to fly the flag at half-mast for more than one day under exceptional circumstances. The United Nations flag was flown at half-mast for two days in 2003 after the bombing of the United Nations building in Baghdad; and for seven days after the earthquake in Haiti in 2010 that claimed the lives of more than 200 United Nations personnel and their family.
The Head of each duty station will decide when the United Nations flag should be flown at half-mast at the duty station.
11.2 Book of Condolences
Upon the death of current and past Heads of State, Heads of Government and Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the mission will send a “Note Verbale” to the Chief of Protocol indicating when the Book of Condolences will be available. There is no order of precedence to sign the Book of Condolences. In general, the first page is reserved for the Chief of Protocol. He/she usually signs the Book of Condolences on behalf of the Secretary-General, who might in some cases wish to sign the book in person. The Secretary-General may also decide to send a personal letter to the Government and to the family of the deceased.
18 The United Nations Flag Code and Regulations, UN ST/SGB/132, 11 November 1952.
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Chapter 11 I Protocol for mourning at the United Nations
11.3 Commemoration ceremonies
Commemoration ceremonies for fallen staff or other ceremonies of remembrance are fortunately not in the standard repertoire of a Protocol Officer. And yet they have to be held on occasion, not only to remind the world of the many risks that men and women take in order to create a more peaceful world. Components of a commemoration ceremony may include:
• A Guard of Honour;• Depending on the circumstances, a statement by the Secretary-General, Under-Secretary-General
for Peacekeeping Operations, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Force Commander or other senior officials;
• The reading of victims names;• A minute of silence;• A wreath-laying ceremony;• A tribute to the United Nations flag;• Music played or poems read.
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Afterword
Afterword
Etiquette and decorum in the context of multilateral diplomacy for use at the United Nations Office at Geneva
By Ambassador Idriss Jazairy
Opening of the WEF Session on Financing Green Growth25 January 2013
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva66
Introduction
The arrangements effective in the field of multilateral diplomacy dealing with diplomatic protocol regulate the official relationships between State representatives accredited to the United Nations, Office in Geneva (UNOG), the specialized institutions, and the multilateral agencies of the United Nations in Switzerland.
These arrangements draw on bilateral protocol pertaining to this specific type of negotiations that is called “diplomacy” since the 18th Century.
Its legal framework comprises, among others, the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic Relations of 18 April 1961 and on Consular Relations of 24 April 1963 as well as the Headquarters Agreements signed by the host country with the United Nations on 1st July 1946 and with the World Trade Organization on 31st May 1995.
Nevertheless, there is no set code on etiquette, which refers to a cluster of mostly unwritten practices that are intended to foster a conducive environment for multilateral diplomacy exercises. Etiquette encompasses special care and symbols of consideration in relations between officials that are likely to promote dialogue, harmony and trust. These practices are hardly ever invoked explicitly, hence the relevance of the present chapter.
What we call “etiquette”, “decorum” or “savoir-vivre” varies over time as well as when one crosses national borders. As regards greetings for instance, the handshake was hardly ever used in the United Kingdom until the second half of the 20th Century. In France, the baise-main is still in use but is becoming old-fashioned. Be that as it may, one should be aware that in this case, the man’s mouth never touches the hand of the woman when greeting, that this gesture of respect is limited to married women and that it is never practised in open spaces.
Likewise, in some countries of the Middle East today, a mere handshake in the same situation is precluded. In the highlands of Western Algeria where I hail from, a belch at the end of a meal is a tribute paid to the quality of the meal, a habit that would clash with the Geneva decorum.
We also regard it as customary for the host at a stag meal to remain standing to take care of his guests invited to a seated meal, while in the multilateral context of the United Nations, it is the host/hostess, when seated, who signals the beginning of the meal by taking hold of his cutlery after having made sure all his/her guests have been served.
These differences, and many others, are but the expression of the diversity of cultures, each of which finds its justification in its specific national context.
One can of course decide to apply such forms of decorum belonging to a specific culture in the context of Geneva.
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The purpose of the present chapter is thus to allow each diplomat to make an informed decision as to whether or not to comply, in whole or in part, with the forms of decorum in use in Geneva to the extent that this may facilitate the achievement of his or her mission. Apart from the previously discussed customs, the information and communications technological revolution introduces encroachments from commercial parlance on diplomatic language as well as a mix of gallicisms and of anglicisms. Thus, when mentioning a delegate in a conference speech one refers to him however much one disagrees with the person as “The distinguished delegate of…(name of country)” in English and as “L’honorable délégué de…(name of country)” in French. More often than not French speakers will use an anglicism by saying “Le distingué représentant de…” while fewer English speakers will use the gallicism of “The honourable delegate of”.
Indeed, diplomatic language has its own linguistic constructs, at times esoteric, that should be adhered to. It is not the only activity that has its own language rules. Thus sailors will refer to a jib or a mainsail sheet. If you talk to them about “ropes”, they’ll know you are new to the sport. Likewise if you talk of the “fur” of a horse rather than to its coat, horse-riders will draw the same conclusion; so also would hunters if you refer to a horn as a “trumpet”.
Likewise in diplomacy, for the host/hostess to say to his/her guests “Enjoy your meal” (in French: “Bon appétit”) is inappropriate, this expression being drawn from commercial language in use in the catering trade. The same would apply to the French expressions “Au plaisir” rather than the correct form of “Au revoir” upon departure or of “Messieurs-dames” rather than the correct form of “Mesdames, messieurs” when addressing a number of people collectively.
The text hereunder will strive to offer à-la-carte, as it were, a non-exhaustive menu of suggestions in the field of diplomatic etiquette, leaving it to each reader to determine, in terms of behaviour as well as of language, the ones that she or he will deem worth keeping in mind.
1 - Business cards
It is recommended to carry engraved rather than printed or coated business cards. The engraving is made on a single copper plate that then allows for multiple issues of engraved cards when needed.
It is preferable to write on the business card the first name and surname of the holder in square font with, underneath, his/her function in calligraphic font. Some protocol manuals indicate the possibility of mentioning, before the name “Mr.”, “Mrs.” or “Mr. and Mrs.”. Some even authorize that an Ambassador call him/herself “His/Her Excellency”.
All these additions should be avoided.
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva68
A business card will be folded at the upper left angle to announce the visit to an absent person, to send a gift, to bid farewell (with the handwritten mention “ppc”), to get acquainted (with the handwritten mention “pfc”) or to extend greetings for the National Day (with the handwritten script of “pfn”). A second business card carrying more detailed personal data can be used as a working instrument to exchange with interlocutors with whom one maintains relations on a continuous basis.
Whichever data the business card shows, it should never be signed.
2 - Invitation cards
For National Day events, the card may be worded as follows:
“The Ambassador, Permanent Representative of … (Country) (followed, if applicable by) and Mrs./Mr. (first name and surname of the spouse) have the honour…”
This invitation announcing the occasion of the reception does not have to bear the name of each guest. In this case, the formula “has/have the honour to invite you”, will be used to avoid tedious secretarial work.
However, an invitation to a more restricted reception or to a dinner will have to mention the name of the person or couple invited on the dotted lines provided for that purpose.
The card will bear, at the lower right angle, the mention RSVP. It is polite to reply promptly to such invitations in order to allow time for the host, if need be, to bring the relevant modifications to his/her seating arrangement in due time.
The card will indicate the dress wear: evening dress, dark suit, informal, casual.
General practice in Geneva varies between dark suit and informal (which contrary to “casual” requires wearing a tie).
3 - Courtesy calls
These visits are paid after presentation of credentials and start with the dean of the Permanent Representatives, followed by the chairpersons of the regional groups to which the new Permanent Representative belongs. In Geneva, the work pressure limits the number of courtesy calls paid by a new Permanent Representative after he/she takes up duty.
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4 - Correspondence
All diplomats are familiar with “notes verbales” . When writing such notes, one should avoid switching from the third person singular to the first or second person plural. It is also advisable, in order to clarify the text written in the third person, to use a capital letter when the other party is referred to, e.g.: “The Mission of … (country of the author of the “note verbale”) requests the Mission of…(addressee) to let it know if It would consider favourably, etc…”.
In a private correspondence in English between Permanent Representatives, one could write: “Dear Colleague”, “Excellency”, or if the exchange takes place between officials who are not Heads of mission, “Dear Mr/ Mrs. …” followed by the family name of the recipient. (In the latter case, the family name would never be mentioned in a letter written in French).
In an official letter, one may write “Excellency”, “Mr/Madam Ambassador/Permanent Representative” (in French, “Excellence” ou “Monsieur/Madame l’Ambassadeur/le Représentant permanent”).
It has to be remembered that, in the context of the United Nations, States are represented by Permanent Representatives. In this context, the title of Ambassador is a national rank, and not a function in relation to the organization to which he/she is accredited.
Consequently, the spouse of a Permanent Representative, if a lady, is not “an Ambassadrice” (in French) but the “spouse of the Permanent Representative”.
The wording on a letter to a Permanent Representative should be as follows:
“His/Her Excellency X…Y … (first name and surname)Ambassador, Permanent Representative of … (country)”
The following wording that is frequently misused should be avoided: “ His/Her Excellency Ambassador, Permanent Representative of (country) Mr/Madam … (first name and surname”, or “His/Her Excellency Mr/Mrs X …Y… Ambassador, Permanent Representative of… (country)”.
In other words, when addressing a letter to a President, a Minister or a Permanent Representative, the “Excellency” has to be followed immediately in English by the person’s first name and surname and neither by a “Mr/Mrs X…Y…” nor by a function. One should say “The President, His/Her Excellency (first name and surname)” and not “His/Her Excellency the President”. The same applies to Ministers and Ambassadors. The same rule applies in French except that in this case the “His Excellency” is followed first by “Mr/Mrs” before the first name and surname of the person concerned.
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Monarchical institutions have distinct rules for dignitaries from capitals. So also in the United States, the dignitaries’ names may be preceded by “The Honorable….”. In France, the title “His/Her Excellency” is seldom used for French dignitaries. Be that as it may, the abovementioned remarks remain fully valid for Permanent Representatives.
Each time an interlocutor is addressed in a correspondence, the title appears in full when he/she holds the rank of Ambassador/Permanent Representative: “His/Her Excellency (first name, surname) …” followed by the function. In all other cases, the abbreviated formula “H.E.” can be used. The title of “Madam”, preceding the function of a female dignitary when the person is directly spoken to, in a letter or orally, will not be abbreviated.
The female holders of functions such as Chief of mission or agency will respectively be “Madam Permanent Representative of” or “Madam High Commissioner”.
5 - Organization of, or participation in a meal
a) Seating arrangement and menu
The seating arrangement can be displayed on a leather platter which is in the shape of the table and which has name tags bearing the name of each guest. Should this table plan not be available, the seating arrangement can be drawn on a sheet of drawing paper. It can then be nailed to a board of plywood and placed on an easel at the entrance of the dining room. The names corresponding to the seating arrangement will be written on cards folded in half and displayed on the right side of each place. On these cards, the use of abbreviations is allowed.
The names of the host/hostess and his/her spouse will be mentioned by the formula “Host” or “Hostess”.
A menu will be placed on the right side of each plate or on a holder. In the latter case, there can be one menu for two guests.
b) Nature of meals
One can organize a working meal or a social meal. A social meal can take place with or without spouses; whereas a working meal will always be without a spouse.
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Common remarks:• There are two traditions regarding toasts (remarks of the host/hostess followed by the raising of
glasses filled with water or another beverage, alcoholic or not): the Nordic tradition whereby the toast takes place at the beginning of the meal or the classic tradition whereby the toast comes after the dessert.
• The male guests wait for the hostess and/or the ladies present to be seated before taking their seats.
Working meal
The “Nordic” formula is preferable: the host/hostess announces the purpose of the meal. He/she mentions he/she will ask each guest to give his/her opinion on a specific question by posing the problématique and without prejudging what the solutions should be. The host/hostess will then raise his/her glass to the participants. When all guests have received the first dish, the host/hostess will seize their own cutlery, cast a circular gaze on the guests to give the signal, with a smile, of the beginning of the meal. The guests shall not start eating before the host/hostess, not even the bread that was given to them. The host will avoid using the commercial expression “Bon appétit”.
Between Arab speaking persons in Geneva, however, it is a habit for the host/hostess to give the signal of the beginning of a meal by using the expression “Bismillah”. The host/hostess, after having invited each guest to speak on the theme outlined, will decide whether it is necessary to organise a discussion and will conclude after dessert is served.
Social meal
Whether the “Nordic” or “classic” formula is applied, it will allow for the host/hostess to state the occasion for which the meal (usually a dinner) is held. If there is an important guest, the host/hostess will praise his/her presence then individually or collectively mention the other guests. In this case, the important guest or the dean responds directly to the host/hostess. The rest of the scenario developed above also applies in this case. However, in the case of a social meal, it is polite to send, before the reception starts, flowers with a business card instead of arriving at the reception with a bouquet.
Welcome or farewell meals
A scenario similar to that of the working meal applies. The arriving or departing official is praised by the host/hostess and he/she announces that he/she will give the floor to all other guests and that the guest of honour will reply after the round is complete. At the end of the meal, in regard to the farewell reception, a gift is given in the name of a regional group to the departing diplomat. In this case, the latter will ask the host, out of pure form, if he/she can open the present and, upon the latter’s approval, will exhibit it to all guests (souvenir picture).
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva72
c) Table manners
A meal is an occasion to share ideas, not just dishes. The host/hostess will make sure all guests can take the floor and will strive to detect where a consensus can be built, even more so in the case of a working meal.
The guests’ place their hands, not their forearms on the table. They sit in an upright position with their shoulders kept back.
As it is not courteous to speak with one’s mouth full, the bites will be smaller than usual to allow for a guest to swallow quickly before reacting to an idea.
During the meal, elbows remain in contact with the sides of the body, moving laterally along the ribs without losing contact. The fork is held in the left hand. The knife in the right hand will push the content of a small bite on the convex part of the fork. The knife will remain in contact with the plate and will be placed on the plate once the charge is put on the fork. At this stage, the right hand is free and the left forearm lifts the bite on the fork towards the mouth without balancing of the body that remains straight. When the mouth closes on the bite, the fork is placed on the plate. At that stage the two hands are free until the guest is ready for the next bite. In the meantime, fork and knife draw an angle on the plate. The cutlery handles remain squarely in the plate and do not touch the table. If the dish served is soup, the content is absorbed by the lateral part of the spoon while avoiding a sucking sound.
When the plate is finished, fork and knife are placed parallel to each other on the right side of the plate, which gives the signal that the plate can be taken away.
Bread is only eaten with soup or cheese. The piece of bread is held on the right by the major of the right hand and a small parcel is detached with the index and thumb of the same hand. Only the right hand is used. Bread is not bitten into. The piece of bread is then chewed without having anything else in one’s mouth, certainly not liquid. At the end of the meal, the napkin is placed unfolded on the table.
6 - Receptions
Receptions are organised, among other events, on the occasion of National Days. At the beginning of the reception, the Permanent Representative, his/her spouse, their close collaborators and their spouses, are aligned at the entrance. The mission that organizes the event can have a photographer at the entrance. The pictures of the guests greeting the Permanent Representative can then be sent by the latter with a business card to selected visitors. After three quarters of an hour, the Permanent Representative and his/her spouse join the guests and are replaced by the first Deputy Chief of mission.
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There are no greetings at the departure of the guests. Some missions organize statements of the Head of mission on this occasion. The acoustics have to be carefully tested in order to ensure that the sound can be heard despite the prevailing level of background noise. The speech will have to be short and, if possible, include as appropriate some humour.
7 - Introductions
One introduces persons of lower to higher protocol rank, and not the opposite. The first words exchanged in English are “How do you do?”, the person answering repeating the same. It would be entirely inappropriate in English to translate from the formula which is acceptable in French and say: “Delighted/glad to meet you” or to reply to “How do you do?” by saying: “Very well, thank you”.
To introduce oneself, one will call oneself “Mr./Mrs. or Miss/Ms. X” only when talking to a subordinate, a delivery agent for instance. In other cases, one always gives his/her first name and surname followed by his/her function, if applicable, or by his/her status of spouse of the Permanent Representative of … (country) or of another diplomat.
8 - Courtesy
Courtesies owed to a lady can be challenged by feminist approaches that are opposed to all forms of distinctions in treatment between men and women even if they are meant to benefit the latter (in the name of “tokenism”). The habit of letting a woman walk in front of a man when passing through a door or for a man to walk in front of a woman in a staircase still continues to be considered as elements of “savoir-vivre”. In the same spirit, the driver of a car, whether a chauffeur or a male diplomat (without a chauffeur), will take care of closing the door of a female passenger after she is seated in the vehicle.
Idriss Jazairy
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva74
AcronymsList of Acronyms, in order of appearance
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)Multilateral Diplomacy Programme (MDP)
Chapter 1
Non-governmental organization (NGO)International Telegraph Union (ITU) International Labour Organization (ILO)United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)
Chapter 3
International Law Commission (ILC)
Chapter 4
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)United Nations Security Council (UNSC)United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)International Court of Justice (ICJ)Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ)
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) International Trade Centre (ITC)United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)World Food Programme (WFP) United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT)United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI)United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC)United Nations University (UNU)UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB)
75
Acronyms
Food an Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO)International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)International Labour organization (ILO)International Monetary Fund (IMF)International Maritime Organization (IMO)International Telecommunication Union (ITU)UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)Universal Postal Union (UPU)World Health Organization (WHO)World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)World Bank Group (WBG)World Meteorological Organization (WMO)World Tourism Organization (WTO)
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Preparatory Commission (CTBTO PrepCom)International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)World Trade Organization (WTO)
Chapter 5
United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ)“Offices away from Headquarters” (OAHs)The United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG)The United Nations Office in Vienna (UNOV)The United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON)Director-General (DG)
Chapter 7
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ((UNAIDS)United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)International Computing Centre (ICC) Internationl Trade Centre (ITC)Office of the High-Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Chapter 8
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)European Free Trade Association (EFTA)Geneva International Airport (AIG)
Practices of diplomatic protocol in Geneva76
ReferencesMost of the information referred to in these guidelines are available on the internet.
The website of the United Nations: www.un.org/en provides information on the structure of the United Nations structure and of the funds and programmes, agencies and research institutes.
The website of the United Nations Protocol and Liaison Service at Headquarters: www.un.int/protocol/The website is continuously updated and contains the following information:• The Manual of Protocol• The Blue Book for the New York diplomatic community• The list of Heads of State, Heads of Government and Ministers for Foreign Affairs• The list of senior officials of the United Nations.
The web site of the UNOG Protocol and Liaison Service: www.unog.ch contains a range of information of use to the diplomatic community including: • The Blue Book available for purchase• Diplomatic guidelines• Accreditation• UNOG guidelines on diplomatic courtesy in Geneva.
Other UN documents available on the Internet:• Charter of the United Nations, http://www.un.org/en/documents/charter/• Precedence of representatives to the United Nations: note by the Secretary-General. A/CN.4 L.129,
3 July 1968, http://legal.un.org/ilc/documentation/english/a_cn4_l129.pdf • The United Nations Flag Code and Regulations, UN ST/SGB/132, 11 November 1952, http://www.
un.org/depts/dhl/maplib/docs/stsgb132.pdf.
The website of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) of the Swiss confederation:https://www.dfae.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html provides information for the diplomatic community including information on privileges and immunities, household employees, etc.
The website https://www.dfae.admin.ch/eda/en/fdfa/foreign-policy/international-organizations/un/ch-missions-un/mission-geneva.html provides information on the Swiss Permanent Representations in Geneva.
The website of the Republic and Canton of Geneva: http://www.ge.ch/protocole/ provides information on the activities and practices of protocol in Geneva.
Annexes
1. Règlement concernant le protocole - République et Canton de Genève19
2. Guidelines on diplomatic courtesy in Geneva - UNOG
3. Protocol regulations for the Swiss Confederation20
19 The strength and validity of the Geneva legislation exclusively derives from its publication in the official Letter bills of the Republic and Canton of Geneva.20 UNITAR expresses its gratitude to the Protocol Service of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, to the Protocol Service of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, and to the Protocol and Liaison Service of the United Nations Office at Geneva for allowing the Multilateral diplomacy programme to reproduce the following texts in this brochure.
77
1
Uno
ffici
al a
nd A
ppro
xim
ate
Tran
slat
ion
from
Fre
nch
(orig
inal
ver
sion
in F
renc
h av
aila
ble
onlin
e at
: ht
tp://
ww
w.g
enev
e.ch
/legi
slat
ion/
rsg/
f/s/rs
g_b1
_25p
04.h
tml )
8 D
ecem
ber,
1970
(Ent
ry in
to fo
rce:
1 J
anua
ry 1
971)
__
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
__
The
CO
UN
CIL
OF
STA
TE o
f the
Rep
ublic
and
Can
ton
of G
enev
a,
havi
ng re
gard
to A
rticl
es 1
01, 1
22, p
arag
raph
2, a
nd 1
28, p
arag
raph
1, o
f the
Con
stitu
tion
of th
e R
epub
lic a
nd C
anto
n of
Gen
eva,
24
May
184
7
here
by:
Cha
pter
I Pr
eced
ence
Art.
1 O
ffici
al E
vent
s
1 Th
e or
der o
f pre
cede
nce
to b
e ob
serv
ed a
t eve
nts
and
offic
ial f
unct
ions
out
lined
in th
e ta
bles
an
nexe
d to
this
Reg
ulat
ion.
Th
e pr
eced
ence
bet
wee
n tw
o S
tate
Cou
ncill
ors
shal
l, fir
st, b
y th
e fu
nctio
n (P
resi
dent
, Vic
e-P
resi
dent
), th
en th
e or
igin
al d
ate
of e
lect
ion
and,
alte
rnat
ivel
y, w
ith a
ge.
3 Fo
r the
Gra
nd C
ounc
il, th
e or
der o
f pre
cede
nce
is:
a) th
e P
resi
dent
; b)
the
offic
e;
c) fo
rmer
pre
side
nts
they
are
mem
bers
or n
ot s
uppo
rted;
d)
gro
ups
in o
rder
of t
heir
impo
rtanc
e an
d, if
thei
r im
porta
nce
is e
qual
, in
alph
abet
ical
ord
er.
4 Th
e m
unic
ipal
aut
horit
ies
shal
l tak
e pr
eced
ence
in th
e fo
llow
ing
orde
r:
a) C
ity o
f Gen
eva;
b)
mun
icip
aliti
es h
avin
g a
boar
d of
dire
ctor
s, in
alp
habe
tical
ord
er;
c) n
o jo
int a
dmin
istra
tive
boar
d, in
alp
habe
tical
ord
er.
5 Fo
r offi
cial
s, p
rece
denc
e is
det
erm
ined
by
clas
s tre
atm
ent a
nd, a
ltern
ativ
ely,
by
the
date
of
appo
intm
ent.
6
If se
vera
l peo
ple
have
the
sam
e ra
nk, p
rece
denc
e is
det
erm
ined
, gen
eral
ly b
y se
nior
ity in
the
publ
ic a
nd, a
ltern
ativ
ely,
by
age.
Cha
pter
II R
ecep
tions
, cer
emon
ies,
eve
nts
Sec
tion
1 O
ath
Art.
2 S
wea
ring
Th
e ce
rem
ony
of s
wea
ring
in o
f the
Cou
ncil
of S
tate
is o
rgan
ized
by
the
Sta
te C
hanc
elle
ry, i
n ag
reem
ent w
ith th
e of
fice
of th
e G
rand
Cou
ncil,
as
the
tradi
tiona
l pro
toco
l.
Sec
tion
2 O
ffici
al fu
nctio
ns (7
)
78
Art.
3 (7
) Inv
itatio
ns
For
m
1 Th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
may
invi
te o
ne o
r joi
ntly
with
the
Fede
ral C
ounc
il or
the
Adm
inis
trativ
e C
ounc
il of
the
City
of G
enev
a.
2 In
prin
cipl
e, th
e C
ounc
il of
Sta
te o
ffers
no
rece
ptio
ns S
unda
y.
Par
ty re
pres
enta
tion
3
For p
urpo
ses
of re
pres
enta
tion,
the
Sta
te C
ounc
il, o
ne o
f its
mem
bers
or t
he c
hanc
ello
r of
Sta
te in
vite
VIP
s fro
m th
e di
plom
atic
, pol
itica
l or e
cono
mic
. Th
ese
four
rece
ptio
ns in
vita
tions
can
occ
ur in
bot
h pl
aces
gen
eral
ly v
est c
erem
onia
l rec
eptio
ns
in fa
cilit
ies
for t
hese
pur
pose
s or
oth
er p
rivat
e pr
emis
es.
Art.
4 V
isit
a C
onfe
dera
te g
over
nmen
t D
urin
g a
visi
t to
a C
onfe
dera
te g
over
nmen
t, a
rece
ptio
n, h
oste
d by
the
Sta
te C
ounc
il, h
eld
at th
e To
wn
Hal
l. (1
) 2
The
flags
of S
witz
erla
nd, G
enev
a an
d th
e ca
nton
con
cern
ed a
re fl
own
at th
e en
tranc
e of
City
H
all.
Art.
5 V
isit
of a
mba
ssad
ors
accr
edite
d to
Ber
n
Whe
n an
am
bass
ador
acc
redi
ted
to B
ern
expr
esse
s th
e de
sire
to m
ake
a vi
sit t
o G
enev
a go
vern
men
t, he
was
rece
ived
into
the
hall
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil,
the
Tow
n H
all.
2
The
flags
of S
witz
erla
nd, G
enev
a an
d th
e co
untry
are
flow
n at
the
entra
nce
of C
ity H
all.
3
The
rece
ptio
n is
follo
wed
by
lunc
h.
Art.
Vis
it si
x pe
rman
ent d
eleg
ates
Th
e H
eads
of P
erm
anen
t Mis
sion
s w
ho w
ish
to m
ake
a co
urte
sy c
all t
o th
e go
vern
men
t are
re
ceiv
ed b
y th
e P
resi
dent
of t
he S
tate
Cou
ncil,
or i
n hi
s ab
senc
e th
e V
ice-
Pre
side
nt w
ith th
e C
hief
of P
roto
col.
May
or o
f Gen
eva
is in
vite
d to
atte
nd th
is v
isit.
Art.
7 F
eder
al M
agis
trate
s
The
Sta
te C
ounc
il is
org
aniz
ing
a ce
rem
ony
appr
opria
tely
dur
ing:
a)
the
elec
tion
of a
Fed
eral
Cou
ncil
in G
enev
a, th
e Fe
dera
l Cou
rt, th
e Fe
dera
l Ins
uran
ce C
ourt;
b)
the
elec
tion
of s
omeo
ne fr
om G
enev
a to
the
pres
iden
cy o
f the
Con
fede
ratio
n, th
e N
atio
nal
Cou
ncil,
the
Cou
ncil
of S
tate
s, th
e Fe
dera
l Cou
rt, th
e Fe
dera
l Ins
uran
ce C
ourt,
the
Mili
tary
Cou
rt of
Cas
satio
n. (2
)
Art.
8 (2
) Gen
eral
Offi
cers
and
sen
ior
The
Cou
ncil
of S
tate
cal
ls in
the
rule
, eve
ry 2
yea
rs o
ld a
nd th
e ne
w g
ener
al a
nd s
enio
r offi
cers
w
ho h
old
or h
ave
held
a c
omm
and
or fu
nctio
n re
leva
nt to
the
Can
ton
of G
enev
a.
Art.
9 H
ome
for g
uest
s
1 A
t a re
cept
ion
held
in c
omm
on o
r not
the
Fede
ral G
over
nmen
t or t
he A
dmin
istra
tive
Cou
ncil
of
the
City
of G
enev
a, g
uest
s ar
e w
elco
med
by
a re
pres
enta
tive
of e
ach
auth
ority
invi
ting.
2
Rep
rese
ntat
ives
of o
ther
aut
horit
ies
pres
ent a
t the
rece
ptio
n ar
e co
nsid
ered
gue
sts.
3
The
Sta
te C
ounc
il m
ay b
e re
pres
ente
d by
one
of i
ts m
embe
rs, t
he c
hanc
ello
r of s
tate
, the
C
hief
of P
roto
col o
r by
any
offic
er o
f the
Gra
nd C
ounc
il.
4 A
bai
liff a
t lea
st is
alw
ays
pres
ent.
Div
isio
n 3
Rep
rese
ntat
ion
of th
e C
ounc
il of
Sta
te c
erem
onie
s an
d ot
her e
vent
s
Art.
10
Gen
eral
prin
cipl
es
Whe
n on
e ac
cept
s th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
to b
e re
pres
ente
d at
an
even
t, it
may
be
one
or m
ore
of it
s
mem
bers
, nor
mal
ly n
o m
ore
than
3, t
he c
hanc
ello
r of s
tate
or c
hief
of p
roto
col,
or b
y a
boar
d m
embe
r of t
he G
rand
Cou
ncil.
In
Rul
e 2,
whe
n th
e ev
ent i
nclu
des
a pa
rade
or a
spe
ech
by th
e re
pres
enta
tive
of th
e S
tate
C
ounc
il, it
is a
ccom
pani
ed b
y a
baili
ff.
3 U
nles
s ex
cept
iona
l circ
umst
ance
s, th
e C
ounc
il of
Sta
te is
not
repr
esen
ted
at th
e ce
rem
onie
s or
eve
nts
taki
ng p
lace
on
Sun
day.
Art.
11
Pat
riotic
1
The
Cou
ncil
of S
tate
par
ticip
ated
in th
e ce
rem
onie
s of
1 J
une,
1 A
ugus
t, in
mem
ory
of G
enev
a so
ldie
rs d
ied
serv
ing
thei
r cou
ntry
, the
Esc
alad
e an
d th
e R
esto
ratio
n. T
he c
onst
ituen
t bod
ies
are
repr
esen
ted.
2
In th
e ru
le, t
he p
resi
dent
of t
he S
tate
Cou
ncil
deliv
ered
the
spee
ch fo
r the
occ
asio
n on
Jun
e 1
at P
ort-B
lack
.
Art.
12 P
rivat
e C
orpo
rate
Eve
nts
A
s a
rule
, exc
ept f
or th
e ce
lebr
atio
ns o
f im
porta
nt a
nniv
ersa
ries,
as
25th
, 50t
h, 7
5th,
or 1
00th
an
nive
rsar
y, th
e C
ounc
il of
Sta
te is
not
repr
esen
ted
in th
e ev
ents
of a
com
mer
cial
priv
ate.
2
If a
depa
rtmen
t hea
d is
invo
lved
as
a pr
ivat
e, a
noth
er m
anife
stat
ion
of th
e sa
me
kind
, in
prin
cipl
e, it
doe
s no
t spe
ak.
Cha
pter
III O
rder
of s
peec
hes
Art.
13
Ord
er o
f spe
eche
s
1 A
s a
rule
, he
who
has
the
high
est r
ank
gave
his
last
spe
ech.
2
How
ever
, whe
n a
fede
ral a
dvis
er g
ave
a sp
eech
at a
n ev
ent o
r rec
eptio
n, h
er s
peec
h is
giv
en,
in p
rinci
ple,
in th
e fir
st p
lace
. The
spe
aker
s w
ho fo
llow
ed h
im s
peak
in th
e or
der s
peci
fied
in
para
grap
h 1.
Cha
pter
IV P
atch
es a
nd F
lags
Art.
14 n
atio
nal f
lags
1
Sw
iss
and
Gen
evan
flag
s ar
e ho
iste
d on
the
City
Hal
l, th
e C
ourth
ouse
, the
Cat
hedr
al o
f St.
Pet
er a
nd th
e m
ain
adm
inis
trativ
e bu
ildin
gs:
a) 5
May
(Eur
ope
Day
);
b) 1
Jun
e;
c) 1
Aug
ust;
d)
11
and
12 D
ecem
ber;
e)
30
and
Dec
embe
r 31.
(1)
2 Th
ey a
re h
alf-m
aste
d on
the
day
of th
e fu
nera
l: (1
) a)
the
build
ings
men
tione
d in
par
agra
ph 1
at t
he d
eath
of a
n ad
vise
r to
a fe
dera
l, st
ate
coun
cilo
r, pr
esid
ent o
f the
Gra
nd C
ounc
il, th
e A
ttorn
ey G
ener
al;
b) a
t the
Hot
el d
e V
ille,
on
the
deat
h of
the
head
of a
Sta
te w
hich
mai
ntai
ns a
con
sula
r offi
ce
base
d in
Gen
eva,
a N
atio
nal C
ounc
illor
of G
enev
a, G
enev
a m
embe
r of t
he C
ounc
il of
Sta
tes,
a
fede
ral j
udge
in G
enev
a , C
hanc
ello
r of S
tate
, a m
embe
r or a
may
or, h
e is
als
o a
form
er F
eder
al
Cou
ncill
or o
f Gen
eva,
a fo
rmer
Sta
te C
ounc
illor
and
a fo
rmer
pre
side
nt o
f the
Gra
nd C
ounc
il;
c) a
t the
cou
rthou
se, o
n th
e de
ath
of a
mag
istra
te o
f the
judi
ciar
y, a
form
er F
eder
al C
ourt
judg
e
79
in G
enev
a or
the
Fede
ral I
nsur
ance
Cou
rt, fo
rmer
Atto
rney
Gen
eral
, a fo
rmer
pre
side
nt o
f a
cour
t.
Art.
Pat
ches
and
15
fore
ign
pavi
lions
1
The
natio
nal f
lag
of th
e se
ndin
g S
tate
may
be
flow
n an
d its
coa
t of a
rms
of th
is s
tate
pla
ced
on
build
ings
occ
upie
d re
side
nces
of h
eads
of c
onsu
lar p
osts
and
dip
lom
atic
mis
sion
s, a
s w
ell a
s th
eir m
eans
of t
rans
port.
( 1)
2
How
ever
, acc
ordi
ng to
the
prac
tice
from
Gen
eva,
the
fore
ign
flag
is fl
own
daily
from
the
Nat
iona
l Day
of t
he s
endi
ng S
tate
and
the
Sw
iss
and
Gen
eva
parti
es m
entio
ned
in A
rticl
e 14
, pa
ragr
aph
1.
Cha
pter
V F
uner
als
Art.
16
Gen
eral
1
The
offic
ial f
uner
al is
hel
d by
the
Sta
te C
hanc
elle
ry, i
n ag
reem
ent w
ith th
e fa
mily
of t
he
dece
ased
whe
n th
e la
tter i
s a
stat
e co
unci
lor,
pres
iden
t of t
he G
rand
Cou
ncil,
Atto
rney
Gen
eral
or
Cha
ncel
lor o
f Sta
te (1
).
2 Th
e pr
otoc
ol le
nds
its a
ssis
tanc
e to
the
fam
ily o
f the
dec
ease
d fo
r the
fune
ral o
f the
ord
er in
w
hich
gov
ernm
ent f
igur
es a
re re
pres
ente
d.
The
thre
e w
ishe
s of
the
dece
ased
or h
is fa
mily
are
cru
cial
. 4
Whe
n th
e C
ounc
il of
Sta
te w
as re
pres
ente
d at
the
fune
ral,
he is
alw
ays
acco
mpa
nied
by
a ba
iliff
and
a cr
own
is s
ent.
In a
ll ca
ses,
a le
tter o
f con
dole
nce
be s
ent t
o th
e fa
mily
of t
he
dece
ased
and
his
imm
edia
te s
uper
ior.
Art.
17
Fede
ral a
utho
ritie
s
1 If
the
dece
ased
is fr
om G
enev
a, th
e C
ounc
il of
Sta
te, i
n co
rpor
e, a
ttend
s th
e fu
nera
l.
Fed
eral
Cou
ncill
or
2 If
the
dece
ased
is C
onfe
dera
te, a
del
egat
ion
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
atte
nded
the
fune
ral.
F
orm
er F
eder
al C
ounc
illor
3 If
the
dece
ased
is G
enev
a, a
del
egat
ion
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
atte
nded
the
fune
ral.
C
hanc
ello
r and
Vic
e-C
hanc
ello
rs o
f the
Con
fede
ratio
n
4 Th
e C
hanc
ello
r atte
nds
stat
e fu
nera
l.
Nat
iona
l Cou
ncill
or, M
embe
r of t
he C
ounc
il of
Sta
tes,
a fe
dera
l jud
ge
5 If
the
dece
ased
is G
enev
a, a
del
egat
ion
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
atte
nded
the
fune
ral.
The
cere
mon
y is
set
acc
ordi
ng to
the
secr
etar
iat o
f the
Fed
eral
Ass
embl
y an
d th
e co
urts
. S
enio
r offi
cer
6 If
the
dece
ased
is in
Gen
eva
or h
ad u
nder
his
com
man
d un
its G
enev
a, a
del
egat
ion
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
atte
nded
the
fune
ral.
Art.
18
Gen
eva
auth
oriti
es
Sta
te C
ounc
illor
1
The
Cou
ncil
of S
tate
in c
orpo
re a
ttend
s th
e fu
nera
l. Th
e ce
rem
ony
is s
et a
ccor
ding
to th
e pr
otoc
ol e
stab
lishe
d by
the
Sta
te C
hanc
elle
ry.
Pre
side
nt o
f the
Gra
nd C
ounc
il
2 Th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
in c
orpo
re a
ttend
the
fune
ral.
The
cere
mon
y is
set
acc
ordi
ng to
the
offic
e of
th
e G
rand
Cou
ncil,
acc
ordi
ng to
the
prot
ocol
est
ablis
hed
by th
e S
tate
Cha
ncel
lery
. A
ttorn
ey G
ener
al
3 Th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
in c
orpo
re a
ttend
the
fune
ral.
The
cere
mon
y is
set
in a
gree
men
t with
the
Pre
side
nt o
f the
Cou
rt of
Jus
tice,
acc
ordi
ng to
the
prot
ocol
est
ablis
hed
by th
e S
tate
Cha
ncel
lery
.
(1)
Mem
ber o
f the
Gra
nd C
ounc
il
4 A
del
egat
ion
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
atte
nded
the
fune
ral.
The
cere
mon
y is
set
acc
ordi
ng to
the
chai
rman
of t
he G
rand
Cou
ncil.
P
resi
dent
of c
ourt
5
A d
eleg
atio
n of
the
Sta
te C
ounc
il at
tend
ed th
e fu
nera
l. Th
e ce
rem
ony
is s
et a
ccor
ding
to th
e A
ttorn
ey G
ener
al.
For
mer
Sta
te C
ounc
ilor
6 A
del
egat
ion
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
atte
nded
the
fune
ral.
F
orm
er P
resi
dent
of t
he G
rand
Cou
ncil
7
A d
eleg
atio
n of
the
Sta
te C
ounc
il at
tend
ed th
e fu
nera
l. Th
e ev
ent i
s se
t in
cons
ulta
tion
with
the
Cha
irman
of t
he G
rand
Cou
ncil.
F
orm
er A
ttorn
ey G
ener
al
8 A
del
egat
ion
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
atte
nded
the
fune
ral.
The
cere
mon
y is
set
in c
onsu
ltatio
n w
ith th
e A
ttorn
ey G
ener
al.
May
ors
9
A d
eleg
atio
n of
the
Sta
te C
ounc
il at
tend
ed th
e fu
nera
l. Th
e ce
rem
ony
is s
et a
ccor
ding
to S
tate
C
ounc
ilor i
n ch
arge
of t
he D
epar
tmen
t of I
nter
ior a
nd m
obili
ty (1
0).
Sta
te C
hanc
ello
r 10
A d
eleg
atio
n of
the
Sta
te C
ounc
il at
tend
ed th
e fu
nera
l. Th
e ce
rem
ony
is s
et a
ccor
ding
to th
e pr
otoc
ol e
stab
lishe
d by
the
Sta
te C
hanc
elle
ry.
Art.
19 O
ther
aut
horit
ies
S
tate
Cou
ncill
or o
f ano
ther
can
ton
1
If th
e de
ceas
ed is
Rom
and,
or O
berla
nd T
icin
o, a
del
egat
ion
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
atte
nded
the
fune
ral.
B
isho
p of
the
Dio
cese
2
A d
eleg
atio
n of
the
Sta
te C
ounc
il at
tend
ed th
e fu
nera
l.
Dire
ctor
of a
n in
tern
atio
nal o
rgan
izat
ion
3
A d
eleg
atio
n of
the
Sta
te C
ounc
il at
tend
ed th
e fu
nera
l ser
vice
taki
ng p
lace
in G
enev
a at
the
deat
h of
the
Dire
ctor
Gen
eral
of t
he U
nite
d N
atio
ns O
ffice
at G
enev
a an
d C
EO
s of
in
terg
over
nmen
tal o
rgan
izat
ions
bas
ed in
Gen
eva.
P
erm
anen
t Del
egat
e
4 A
del
egat
ion
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
atte
nded
the
fune
ral s
ervi
ce ta
king
pla
ce in
Gen
eva
on th
e de
ath
of a
hea
d of
per
man
ent m
issi
on a
ccre
dite
d to
the
UN
in G
enev
a an
d sp
ecia
lized
age
ncie
s w
ith th
e co
untry
whi
ch th
e C
onfe
dera
tion
has
dipl
omat
ic re
latio
ns. T
he C
hief
of P
roto
col
prov
ides
his
ser
vice
s to
the
post
in m
ourn
ing.
O
ther
per
sona
litie
s
5 O
n th
e de
cisi
on, t
he S
tate
Cou
ncil
may
be
repr
esen
ted.
(1)
Cha
pter
VI C
onsu
lar C
orps
Art.
20 D
efin
ition
C
onsu
lar C
orps
of G
enev
a is
mad
e up
of a
ll co
nsul
s ge
nera
l, co
nsul
s an
d vi
ce c
onsu
ls s
tatio
ned
in th
e to
wns
hip,
whe
ther
or n
ot a
car
eer.
Sec
tion
1 A
rriv
al a
nd d
utie
s of
a h
ead
of c
onsu
lar p
ost
Art.
21 A
rriv
al o
f the
hea
d of
80
in G
enev
a or
the
Fede
ral I
nsur
ance
Cou
rt, fo
rmer
Atto
rney
Gen
eral
, a fo
rmer
pre
side
nt o
f a
cour
t.
Art.
Pat
ches
and
15
fore
ign
pavi
lions
1
The
natio
nal f
lag
of th
e se
ndin
g S
tate
may
be
flow
n an
d its
coa
t of a
rms
of th
is s
tate
pla
ced
on
build
ings
occ
upie
d re
side
nces
of h
eads
of c
onsu
lar p
osts
and
dip
lom
atic
mis
sion
s, a
s w
ell a
s th
eir m
eans
of t
rans
port.
( 1)
2
How
ever
, acc
ordi
ng to
the
prac
tice
from
Gen
eva,
the
fore
ign
flag
is fl
own
daily
from
the
Nat
iona
l Day
of t
he s
endi
ng S
tate
and
the
Sw
iss
and
Gen
eva
parti
es m
entio
ned
in A
rticl
e 14
, pa
ragr
aph
1.
Cha
pter
V F
uner
als
Art.
16
Gen
eral
1
The
offic
ial f
uner
al is
hel
d by
the
Sta
te C
hanc
elle
ry, i
n ag
reem
ent w
ith th
e fa
mily
of t
he
dece
ased
whe
n th
e la
tter i
s a
stat
e co
unci
lor,
pres
iden
t of t
he G
rand
Cou
ncil,
Atto
rney
Gen
eral
or
Cha
ncel
lor o
f Sta
te (1
).
2 Th
e pr
otoc
ol le
nds
its a
ssis
tanc
e to
the
fam
ily o
f the
dec
ease
d fo
r the
fune
ral o
f the
ord
er in
w
hich
gov
ernm
ent f
igur
es a
re re
pres
ente
d.
The
thre
e w
ishe
s of
the
dece
ased
or h
is fa
mily
are
cru
cial
. 4
Whe
n th
e C
ounc
il of
Sta
te w
as re
pres
ente
d at
the
fune
ral,
he is
alw
ays
acco
mpa
nied
by
a ba
iliff
and
a cr
own
is s
ent.
In a
ll ca
ses,
a le
tter o
f con
dole
nce
be s
ent t
o th
e fa
mily
of t
he
dece
ased
and
his
imm
edia
te s
uper
ior.
Art.
17
Fede
ral a
utho
ritie
s
1 If
the
dece
ased
is fr
om G
enev
a, th
e C
ounc
il of
Sta
te, i
n co
rpor
e, a
ttend
s th
e fu
nera
l.
Fed
eral
Cou
ncill
or
2 If
the
dece
ased
is C
onfe
dera
te, a
del
egat
ion
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
atte
nded
the
fune
ral.
F
orm
er F
eder
al C
ounc
illor
3 If
the
dece
ased
is G
enev
a, a
del
egat
ion
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
atte
nded
the
fune
ral.
C
hanc
ello
r and
Vic
e-C
hanc
ello
rs o
f the
Con
fede
ratio
n
4 Th
e C
hanc
ello
r atte
nds
stat
e fu
nera
l.
Nat
iona
l Cou
ncill
or, M
embe
r of t
he C
ounc
il of
Sta
tes,
a fe
dera
l jud
ge
5 If
the
dece
ased
is G
enev
a, a
del
egat
ion
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
atte
nded
the
fune
ral.
The
cere
mon
y is
set
acc
ordi
ng to
the
secr
etar
iat o
f the
Fed
eral
Ass
embl
y an
d th
e co
urts
. S
enio
r offi
cer
6 If
the
dece
ased
is in
Gen
eva
or h
ad u
nder
his
com
man
d un
its G
enev
a, a
del
egat
ion
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
atte
nded
the
fune
ral.
Art.
18
Gen
eva
auth
oriti
es
Sta
te C
ounc
illor
1
The
Cou
ncil
of S
tate
in c
orpo
re a
ttend
s th
e fu
nera
l. Th
e ce
rem
ony
is s
et a
ccor
ding
to th
e pr
otoc
ol e
stab
lishe
d by
the
Sta
te C
hanc
elle
ry.
Pre
side
nt o
f the
Gra
nd C
ounc
il
2 Th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
in c
orpo
re a
ttend
the
fune
ral.
The
cere
mon
y is
set
acc
ordi
ng to
the
offic
e of
th
e G
rand
Cou
ncil,
acc
ordi
ng to
the
prot
ocol
est
ablis
hed
by th
e S
tate
Cha
ncel
lery
. A
ttorn
ey G
ener
al
3 Th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
in c
orpo
re a
ttend
the
fune
ral.
The
cere
mon
y is
set
in a
gree
men
t with
the
Pre
side
nt o
f the
Cou
rt of
Jus
tice,
acc
ordi
ng to
the
prot
ocol
est
ablis
hed
by th
e S
tate
Cha
ncel
lery
.
(1)
Mem
ber o
f the
Gra
nd C
ounc
il
4 A
del
egat
ion
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
atte
nded
the
fune
ral.
The
cere
mon
y is
set
acc
ordi
ng to
the
chai
rman
of t
he G
rand
Cou
ncil.
P
resi
dent
of c
ourt
5
A d
eleg
atio
n of
the
Sta
te C
ounc
il at
tend
ed th
e fu
nera
l. Th
e ce
rem
ony
is s
et a
ccor
ding
to th
e A
ttorn
ey G
ener
al.
For
mer
Sta
te C
ounc
ilor
6 A
del
egat
ion
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
atte
nded
the
fune
ral.
F
orm
er P
resi
dent
of t
he G
rand
Cou
ncil
7
A d
eleg
atio
n of
the
Sta
te C
ounc
il at
tend
ed th
e fu
nera
l. Th
e ev
ent i
s se
t in
cons
ulta
tion
with
the
Cha
irman
of t
he G
rand
Cou
ncil.
F
orm
er A
ttorn
ey G
ener
al
8 A
del
egat
ion
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
atte
nded
the
fune
ral.
The
cere
mon
y is
set
in c
onsu
ltatio
n w
ith th
e A
ttorn
ey G
ener
al.
May
ors
9
A d
eleg
atio
n of
the
Sta
te C
ounc
il at
tend
ed th
e fu
nera
l. Th
e ce
rem
ony
is s
et a
ccor
ding
to S
tate
C
ounc
ilor i
n ch
arge
of t
he D
epar
tmen
t of I
nter
ior a
nd m
obili
ty (1
0).
Sta
te C
hanc
ello
r 10
A d
eleg
atio
n of
the
Sta
te C
ounc
il at
tend
ed th
e fu
nera
l. Th
e ce
rem
ony
is s
et a
ccor
ding
to th
e pr
otoc
ol e
stab
lishe
d by
the
Sta
te C
hanc
elle
ry.
Art.
19 O
ther
aut
horit
ies
S
tate
Cou
ncill
or o
f ano
ther
can
ton
1
If th
e de
ceas
ed is
Rom
and,
or O
berla
nd T
icin
o, a
del
egat
ion
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
atte
nded
the
fune
ral.
B
isho
p of
the
Dio
cese
2
A d
eleg
atio
n of
the
Sta
te C
ounc
il at
tend
ed th
e fu
nera
l.
Dire
ctor
of a
n in
tern
atio
nal o
rgan
izat
ion
3
A d
eleg
atio
n of
the
Sta
te C
ounc
il at
tend
ed th
e fu
nera
l ser
vice
taki
ng p
lace
in G
enev
a at
the
deat
h of
the
Dire
ctor
Gen
eral
of t
he U
nite
d N
atio
ns O
ffice
at G
enev
a an
d C
EO
s of
in
terg
over
nmen
tal o
rgan
izat
ions
bas
ed in
Gen
eva.
P
erm
anen
t Del
egat
e
4 A
del
egat
ion
of th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
atte
nded
the
fune
ral s
ervi
ce ta
king
pla
ce in
Gen
eva
on th
e de
ath
of a
hea
d of
per
man
ent m
issi
on a
ccre
dite
d to
the
UN
in G
enev
a an
d sp
ecia
lized
age
ncie
s w
ith th
e co
untry
whi
ch th
e C
onfe
dera
tion
has
dipl
omat
ic re
latio
ns. T
he C
hief
of P
roto
col
prov
ides
his
ser
vice
s to
the
post
in m
ourn
ing.
O
ther
per
sona
litie
s
5 O
n th
e de
cisi
on, t
he S
tate
Cou
ncil
may
be
repr
esen
ted.
(1)
Cha
pter
VI C
onsu
lar C
orps
Art.
20 D
efin
ition
C
onsu
lar C
orps
of G
enev
a is
mad
e up
of a
ll co
nsul
s ge
nera
l, co
nsul
s an
d vi
ce c
onsu
ls s
tatio
ned
in th
e to
wns
hip,
whe
ther
or n
ot a
car
eer.
Sec
tion
1 A
rriv
al a
nd d
utie
s of
a h
ead
of c
onsu
lar p
ost
Art.
21 A
rriv
al o
f the
hea
d of
1 U
pon
arriv
al in
Gen
eva
or if
it is
allo
wed
to e
xerc
ise
his
func
tions
, the
hea
d of
con
sula
r vis
its to
th
e ch
ief o
f pro
toco
l tha
t set
s ou
t the
cer
emon
ial o
f the
hea
ring
offic
ial d
utie
s. T
he h
ead
of
stat
es, w
here
app
licab
le, t
he n
ames
of e
mpl
oyee
s he
wis
hes
to b
e ac
com
pani
ed a
t the
ce
rem
ony.
2
The
Chi
ef o
f Pro
toco
l sha
ll, a
t the
requ
est o
f the
hea
d of
a c
onsu
lar p
ost,
all t
he n
eces
sary
in
form
atio
n on
pol
itica
l org
aniz
atio
n an
d th
e G
enev
a ca
nton
al a
nd m
unic
ipal
gov
ernm
ents
, it
also
indi
cate
s th
at c
ourte
sy is
cus
tom
ary
do a
fter t
akin
g of
fice.
Art.
22
Exe
quat
ur a
nd h
earin
g du
ties
1
The
Cou
ncil
of S
tate
is in
form
ed o
f the
gra
ntin
g of
fede
ral e
nfor
cem
ent t
o th
e ne
w h
ead
of th
e co
nsul
ar p
ost a
nd fi
xed
the
hear
ing
offic
ial d
utie
s.
2 O
n th
e ap
poin
ted
day,
the
Sta
te C
ounc
il re
ceiv
es fo
rmal
hea
ring
the
new
hea
d of
the
cons
ular
po
st m
ay b
e ac
com
pani
ed b
y co
nsul
ar o
ffice
rs a
ssig
ned
to h
is p
ost.
The
May
or o
f the
City
of
Gen
eva
is in
vite
d to
atte
nd th
e he
arin
g. In
gen
eral
, whe
n re
ceiv
ing
only
of w
elco
me
and
wor
ds
of c
ourte
sy a
re e
xcha
nged
. Dre
ss fo
r the
cer
emon
y is
the
dark
atti
re, u
nifo
rm o
r nat
iona
l dre
ss.
(1)
3 If
the
cons
ular
pos
t hea
ded
by a
n ho
nora
ry c
onsu
lar o
ffice
r, th
e ch
ief p
ost a
nd p
ossi
bly
som
e of
his
ass
ocia
tes
rece
ived
form
al h
earin
g by
the
Cha
irman
of t
he S
tate
Cou
ncil
with
the
Chi
ef o
f P
roto
col.
The
May
or o
f the
City
of G
enev
a is
invi
ted
to a
ttend
the
hear
ing.
(1)
Art.
23 (1
)
Sec
tion
2 P
rece
denc
e
Art.
24
Hea
ds o
f dip
lom
atic
mis
sion
Th
e le
ader
s of
a c
aree
r con
sula
r pos
t sha
ll ra
nk in
eac
h cl
ass
follo
win
g th
e da
te o
f gra
nt o
f en
forc
emen
t.
2 Th
e or
der o
f pre
cede
nce
betw
een
two
or m
ore
head
s of
con
sula
r pos
t of t
he s
ame
rank
, who
ob
tain
ed th
e ex
ecut
ion
on th
e sa
me
date
, is
dete
rmin
ed b
y th
e he
arin
g da
te o
f ent
ry o
n du
ty.
3 If
a fu
ture
hea
d of
the
cons
ular
pos
t may
lead
to th
e po
st o
n an
inte
rim b
asis
prio
r to
obta
inin
g th
e en
forc
emen
t ord
er, i
t is
cons
ider
ed a
s ac
ting
head
.
Art.
25
Hea
ds o
f pos
t fee
s
Hea
ds o
f con
sula
r pos
ts s
hall
rank
fees
in e
ach
clas
s, a
fter t
he h
eads
of c
aree
r con
sula
r pos
t in
orde
r and
acc
ordi
ng to
rule
s es
tabl
ishe
d in
arti
cles
24
and
26.
Art.
26
Inte
rim M
anag
ers
Th
e in
terim
man
ager
s ra
nk a
fter a
ll he
ads
of c
onsu
lar p
osts
. Bet
wee
n th
em, t
hey
rank
acc
ordi
ng
to th
e da
tes
they
took
offi
ce a
s ac
ting.
Art.
27
Con
sula
r Offi
cial
s
Car
eer c
onsu
lar o
ffice
rs a
nd h
onor
ary,
not
hea
ds o
f pos
ts s
hall
rank
in e
ach
clas
s ac
cord
ing
to
the
date
of n
otifi
catio
n of
com
men
cem
ent o
f em
ploy
men
t. P
rece
denc
e is
giv
en to
car
eer c
ivil
serv
ants
.
Sec
tion
3 re
cept
ions
, cer
emon
ies
and
Hea
rings
Art.
28
Offi
cial
Cer
emon
ies
Th
e C
onsu
lar C
orps
in p
rinci
ple
take
par
t in
offic
ial c
erem
onie
s. T
he C
hief
of P
roto
col s
hall
send
th
e in
vita
tions
and
giv
e hi
m th
e ne
cess
ary
info
rmat
ion.
Art.
29
Aud
ienc
es M
isce
llane
ous
Th
e C
hief
of P
roto
col i
s av
aila
ble
to h
eads
of c
onsu
lar p
osts
to fi
x th
e da
te a
nd ti
me
of th
e he
arin
gs th
ey w
ant t
o ge
t Pre
side
nt's
Cou
ncil
of S
tate
, a d
epar
tmen
t hea
d or
any
oth
er
appo
intm
ent t
hat '
you
may
des
ire.
Sec
tion
4 Te
mpo
rary
abs
ence
s an
d re
min
ders
hea
ds p
ost
Art.
30
Inte
rim M
anag
ers
Th
e he
ad o
f the
con
sula
r lea
ving
tem
pora
rily
or p
erm
anen
tly, t
he c
onsu
lar d
istri
ct s
hall
info
rm
the
Chi
ef o
f Pro
toco
l and
sha
ll in
dica
te th
e na
me
of th
e pe
rson
to te
mpo
raril
y m
anag
e th
e co
nsul
ar p
ost.
Art.
31
Term
inat
ion
of fu
nctio
ns
Upo
n no
tice
of th
e da
te o
f lea
ving
offi
ce, t
he h
ead
of th
e co
nsul
ar p
ost s
hall
notif
y th
e C
hief
of
Pro
toco
l, w
hich
sha
ll in
form
eith
er th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil,
is C
hairm
an o
f the
Sta
te C
ounc
il to
es
tabl
ish
a po
ssib
le fa
rew
ell a
udie
nce.
Art.
32
(1) H
earin
g le
ave
and
inte
rim m
anag
ers
O
n th
e ap
poin
ted
day,
the
Sta
te C
ounc
il or
the
Cha
irman
of t
he S
tate
Cou
ncil
rece
ives
in
audi
ence
of l
eave
, the
hea
d of
con
sula
r pos
t, w
hich
em
ploy
ees
can
join
. The
May
or o
f the
City
of
Gen
eva
is in
vite
d to
atte
nd th
e he
arin
g.
Sec
tion
5 de
aths
Art.
33
Hea
d of
Sta
te o
r for
eign
gov
ernm
ent
Upo
n th
e de
ath
of a
hea
d of
sta
te o
r gov
ernm
ent o
f a s
tate
mai
ntai
ning
a c
onsu
lar p
ost i
n G
enev
a, P
resi
dent
of t
he S
tate
Cou
ncil
or in
his
abs
ence
, a s
tate
cou
ncilo
r, ac
com
pani
ed b
y th
e ch
ief o
f pro
toco
l, w
ent t
o th
e po
st c
onsu
lar r
epor
t to
head
of t
he c
ondo
lenc
es o
f the
Cou
ncil
of
Sta
te a
nd, w
here
app
ropr
iate
, to
sign
the
cond
olen
ce b
ook.
2
The
sam
e pr
otoc
ol is
app
lied
whe
n th
e de
ceas
ed's
cou
ntry
has
dip
lom
atic
rela
tions
with
the
Con
fede
ratio
n, b
ut is
repr
esen
ted
in G
enev
a by
a p
erm
anen
t mis
sion
, not
a c
onsu
late
. 3
If a
fune
ral s
ervi
ce w
as c
eleb
rate
d in
Gen
eva,
the
Sta
te C
ounc
il sh
all b
e re
pres
ente
d.
Art.
34
Hea
d of
con
sula
r pos
t 1
The
Cou
ncil
of S
tate
mus
t be
notif
ied
imm
edia
tely
of t
he d
eath
of a
chi
ef o
f the
con
sula
r pos
t. Th
e C
hief
of P
roto
col p
rovi
des
serv
ices
to th
e po
st in
mou
rnin
g.
2 If
a fu
nera
l ser
vice
was
cel
ebra
ted
in G
enev
a, th
e S
tate
Cou
ncil
shal
l be
repr
esen
ted.
Art.
35
Con
sula
r offi
cer
Upo
n th
e de
ath
of a
con
sula
r offi
cer,
not c
hief
pos
t, co
ndol
ence
s w
ere
expr
esse
d by
a le
tter
from
the
Chi
ef o
f Pro
toco
l to
the
head
of c
onsu
lar p
ost.
2
If a
fune
ral s
ervi
ce w
as c
eleb
rate
d in
Gen
eva,
the
Sta
te C
ounc
il sh
all b
e re
pres
ente
d by
the
Chi
ef o
f Pro
toco
l.
Cha
pter
VII
Fina
l and
Tra
nsiti
onal
Art.
Rep
ealin
g C
laus
e 36
Th
e re
gula
tions
con
cern
ing
the
Pro
toco
l of 1
2 N
ovem
ber 1
965,
is re
peal
ed.
112
Art.
37 E
ntry
into
forc
e
This
Reg
ulat
ion
com
es in
to fo
rce
on 1
Jan
uary
197
1.
81
Prot
ocol
and
Lia
ison
Ser
vice
U
nite
d N
atio
ns O
ffic
e at
Gen
eva
Febr
uary
200
4
GU
IDE
LIN
ES
O
N D
IPL
OM
AT
IC C
OU
RT
ESY
IN G
EN
EV
A
U
nite
d N
atio
ns
G
UID
EL
INE
S O
N D
IPL
OM
AT
IC C
OU
RT
ESY
IN
GE
NE
VA
Ope
ning
of a
new
per
man
ent m
issi
on
1.
It is
cur
rent
pra
ctic
e fo
r a G
over
nmen
t to
info
rm th
e Se
cret
ary-
Gen
eral
of t
he U
nite
d N
atio
ns, i
n w
ritin
g, th
roug
h th
e in
term
edia
ry o
f its
per
man
ent m
issi
on in
New
Yor
k, o
f its
inte
ntio
n to
est
ablis
h a
perm
anen
t mis
sion
in G
enev
a. T
he S
ecre
tary
-Gen
eral
then
info
rms t
he
Dire
ctor
-Gen
eral
of t
he U
nite
d N
atio
ns O
ffic
e at
Gen
eva.
The
D
irect
or-G
ener
al in
form
s the
Chi
ef o
f Pro
toco
l who
brin
gs th
is to
the
atte
ntio
n of
the
Hea
d of
the
Perm
anen
t mis
sion
of t
he h
ost c
ount
ry.
The
curr
ent p
ract
ice
is th
at a
Gov
ernm
ent i
nfor
ms a
lso
the
Swis
s G
over
nmen
t of i
ts in
tent
ion
to e
stab
lish
a m
issi
on in
Gen
eva.
C
rede
ntia
ls
2.
Cre
dent
ials
of p
erm
anen
t rep
rese
ntat
ives
are
issu
ed e
ither
by
the
head
of S
tate
or G
over
nmen
t, or
by
the
min
iste
r for
fore
ign
affa
irs,
and
they
are
add
ress
ed to
the
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al o
f the
U
nite
d N
atio
ns a
nd h
ande
d to
the
Dire
ctor
-Gen
eral
of t
he
Uni
ted
Nat
ions
Off
ice
at G
enev
a du
ring
the
pres
enta
tion
of c
rede
ntia
ls
cere
mon
y. T
hrou
gh a
pre
ss re
leas
e is
sued
by
the
Info
rmat
ion
Serv
ice,
th
e U
nite
d N
atio
ns O
ffic
e at
Gen
eva
then
not
ifies
the
dire
ctor
s and
/or
secr
etar
ies-
gene
ral o
f the
spec
ializ
ed a
genc
ies c
once
rned
.
82
Prot
ocol
upo
n as
sum
ptio
n of
off
ice
of p
erm
anen
t rep
rese
ntat
ives
3.
U
pon
assu
mpt
ion
of o
ffic
e by
a p
erm
anen
t rep
rese
ntat
ive,
the
perm
anen
t mis
sion
shou
ld a
sk th
e U
nite
d N
atio
ns P
roto
col a
nd L
iais
on
Serv
ice
in G
enev
a to
mak
e ar
rang
emen
ts fo
r the
pre
sent
atio
n of
cr
eden
tials
. Fo
r the
brie
f cer
emon
y of
pre
sent
atio
n, th
e C
hief
of
Prot
ocol
will
acc
ompa
ny th
e pe
rman
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
e.
4.
It is
cus
tom
ary
for a
new
per
man
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
e to
send
in
divi
dual
lette
rs to
oth
er p
erm
anen
t rep
rese
ntat
ives
info
rmin
g th
em
that
he
has p
rese
nted
his
cre
dent
ials
. 5.
It
is th
e pr
actic
e fo
r a n
ew p
erm
anen
t rep
rese
ntat
ive
to c
all o
n th
e di
rect
ors a
nd/o
r sec
reta
ries-
gene
ral o
f spe
cial
ized
age
ncie
s and
ot
her i
nter
natio
nal o
rgan
izat
ions
to w
hich
he
is a
ccre
dite
d.
6.
Giv
en th
e la
rge
num
ber o
f per
man
ent m
issi
ons i
n G
enev
a, it
is
left
to th
e di
scre
tion
of th
e pe
rman
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
e as
to w
hich
co
lleag
ues h
e m
ight
wis
h to
cal
l upo
n. I
t is a
dvis
able
to p
ay a
vis
it to
th
e C
hairm
an o
f the
Gen
eva
Dip
lom
atic
Com
mitt
ee a
nd to
the
Hea
d of
th
e Pe
rman
ent M
issi
on o
f the
hos
t cou
ntry
. 7.
Th
e A
utho
ritie
s of t
he R
epub
lic a
nd C
anto
n, a
s wel
l as o
f the
C
ity o
f Gen
eva,
app
reci
ate
cour
tesy
cal
ls b
y ne
wly
-arr
ived
per
man
ent
repr
esen
tativ
es.
How
ever
, giv
en th
e la
rge
num
ber o
f dip
lom
atic
and
co
nsul
ar m
issi
ons i
n G
enev
a, su
ch c
ourte
sy c
alls
are
left
entir
ely
to th
e di
scre
tion
of th
e ne
wly
-arr
ived
per
man
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
e.
Prec
eden
ce
8.
(a)
Uni
ted
Nat
ions
: Pre
cede
nce
amon
g th
e O
rgan
izat
ion
of
the
Uni
ted
Nat
ions
is th
e fo
llow
ing:
Sec
reta
ry-G
ener
al o
f the
Uni
ted
Nat
ions
, Dep
uty
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al o
f the
Uni
ted
Nat
ions
, UN
DP,
U
NC
TAD
, UN
EP, U
NH
CR
, UN
RW
A, U
NIC
EF, U
NFP
A, W
FP,
UN
DC
P, O
HC
HR
, und
er-s
ecre
tarie
s-ge
nera
l, as
sist
ant-s
ecre
tarie
s-ge
nera
l, di
rect
ors.
(b)
Bet
wee
n pe
rman
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
es a
ccre
dite
d to
the
Gen
eva
Off
ice:
Pre
cede
nce
amon
g pe
rman
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
es w
ho h
old
the
rank
of a
mba
ssad
or is
det
erm
ined
by
the
date
of p
rese
ntat
ion
of
cred
entia
ls.
Und
er th
e ne
xt c
ateg
ory
fall
perm
anen
t rep
rese
ntat
ives
w
ho d
o no
t hol
d th
e ra
nk o
f am
bass
ador
; act
ing
perm
anen
t re
pres
enta
tives
take
pre
cede
nce
afte
r per
man
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
es,
irres
pect
ive
of th
eir t
itle,
in a
ccor
danc
e w
ith th
eir l
ast n
omin
atio
n as
su
ch.
(c)
Bet
wee
n pe
rman
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
es a
ccre
dite
d to
the
Gen
eva
Off
ice
and
the
Perm
anen
t Rep
rese
ntat
ive
of th
e ho
st c
ount
ry:
Prec
eden
ce c
an, b
y co
urte
sy, b
e gi
ven
to th
e la
tter.
(d)
Bet
wee
n ot
her m
embe
rs o
f per
man
ent m
issi
ons:
Prec
eden
ce is
det
erm
ined
by
rank
, and
with
in e
ach
grou
p (a
mba
ssad
ors,
min
iste
rs a
nd m
inis
ters
cou
nsel
lors
, cou
nsel
lors
, etc
.) ac
cord
ing
to d
ate
of a
rriv
al.
(e)
Bet
wee
n pe
rman
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
es a
nd h
eads
of
secr
etar
iats
of i
nter
natio
nal o
rgan
izat
ions
: .
The
Dire
ctor
-Gen
eral
of t
he U
nite
d N
atio
ns O
ffic
e at
G
enev
a ta
kes p
rece
denc
e ov
er p
erm
anen
t rep
rese
ntat
ives
;
83
. D
irect
ors-
gene
ral o
r sec
reta
ries-
gene
ral o
f the
sp
ecia
lized
age
ncie
s sho
uld
be g
iven
pre
cede
nce
over
per
man
ent
repr
esen
tativ
es w
hen
invi
ted
by a
per
man
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
e;
. Pr
eced
ence
bet
wee
n di
rect
ors-
gene
ral a
nd se
cret
arie
s-ge
nera
l of s
peci
aliz
ed a
genc
ies i
s det
erm
ined
acc
ordi
ng to
the
date
of
the
agre
emen
t bet
wee
n th
e sp
ecia
lized
age
ncy
in q
uest
ion
and
the
Uni
ted
Nat
ions
. A
mon
g th
e sp
ecia
lized
age
ncie
s and
inte
rnat
iona
l or
gani
zatio
ns, t
he p
rece
denc
e is
as f
ollo
ws:
ILO
, FA
O, U
NES
CO
, IC
AO
, WH
O, W
orld
Ban
k, IM
F, U
PU, I
TU, W
MO
, IM
O, W
IPO
, IF
AD
, UN
IDO
, IA
EA, a
nd W
TO.
In so
cial
gat
herin
gs h
oste
d by
the
Dire
ctor
-Gen
eral
of t
he U
nite
d N
atio
ns O
ffic
e at
Gen
eva
or b
y th
e di
rect
ors-
gene
ral o
r sec
reta
ries-
gene
ral o
f the
spec
ializ
ed a
genc
ies,
it is
th
e pr
actic
e th
at th
e pe
rman
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
es ta
ke p
rece
denc
e;
. A
s to
othe
r int
ergo
vern
men
tal o
rgan
izat
ions
, the
ir he
ads s
houl
d be
giv
en p
rece
denc
e ov
er p
erm
anen
t rep
rese
ntat
ives
whe
n th
is is
in th
e na
ture
of t
he so
cial
gat
herin
g in
que
stio
n.
(f)
Bet
wee
n pe
rman
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
es a
nd h
igh
offic
ials
of
the
Inte
rnat
iona
l Com
mitt
ee o
f the
Red
Cro
ss: T
he P
resi
dent
of t
he
ICR
C ta
kes p
rece
denc
e ov
er p
erm
anen
t rep
rese
ntat
ives
; the
latte
r tak
e pr
eced
ence
ove
r oth
er o
ffic
ials
of t
he IC
RC
. (g
) B
etw
een
othe
r mem
bers
of p
erm
anen
t mis
sion
s and
in
tern
atio
nal s
ecre
taria
ts: A
mba
ssad
ors w
ho a
re n
ot p
erm
anen
t re
pres
enta
tives
will
rank
abo
ve d
eput
y di
rect
ors-
gene
ral o
r dep
uty
secr
etar
ies-
gene
ral o
f the
spec
ializ
ed a
genc
ies a
nd o
ther
in
terg
over
nmen
tal o
rgan
izat
ions
. M
inis
ters
who
are
not
per
man
ent
repr
esen
tativ
es w
ill ra
nk a
bove
dire
ctor
s of d
ivis
ion.
(h)
Bet
wee
n pe
rman
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
es a
nd o
ther
del
egat
es
atte
ndin
g co
nfer
ence
s: In
soci
al g
athe
rings
rela
ted
to a
con
fere
nce,
pr
eced
ence
am
ong
head
s of d
eleg
atio
n is
det
erm
ined
eith
er a
ccor
ding
to
the
alph
abet
ical
ord
er o
f the
cou
ntrie
s rep
rese
nted
, or i
n co
nfor
mity
w
ith th
e es
tabl
ishe
d pr
actic
e of
the
conf
eren
ce in
que
stio
n. P
resi
ding
of
ficer
s may
take
pre
cede
nce
over
oth
er h
eads
of d
eleg
atio
n. I
n ga
ther
ings
whi
ch a
re n
ot re
late
d to
a c
onfe
renc
e, p
rece
denc
e is
giv
en to
pe
rman
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
es.
(i)
Bet
wee
n pe
rman
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
es a
nd m
embe
rs o
f pe
rman
ent m
issi
ons,
on th
e on
e ha
nd, a
nd G
enev
a A
utho
ritie
s, on
the
othe
r: A
ttent
ion
is d
raw
n to
the
prec
eden
ce re
com
men
ded
in th
e "R
ègle
men
t con
cern
ant l
e Pr
otoc
ole"
, by
the
Rep
ublic
and
Can
ton
of
Gen
eva.
(j)
Add
ition
al re
mar
ks: I
n so
cial
gat
herin
gs in
hon
our o
f a
give
n pe
rson
ality
, the
latte
r tak
es p
rece
denc
e ov
er a
ll ot
her g
uest
s; in
su
ch c
ases
, the
fact
shou
ld b
e m
entio
ned
whi
le is
suin
g in
vita
tions
. In
so
cial
gat
herin
gs o
rgan
ized
by,
or i
n co
nnex
ion
with
, spe
cial
bod
ies,
thei
r est
ablis
hed
prac
tice
prev
ails
. Pr
esen
ce o
f per
man
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
es a
t cer
emon
ies,
etc.
or
gani
zed
by in
tern
atio
nal o
rgan
izat
ions
9.
W
hen
perm
anen
t rep
rese
ntat
ives
are
col
lect
ivel
y in
vite
d to
ce
rem
onie
s, et
c., r
athe
r tha
n as
mem
bers
of n
atio
nal d
eleg
atio
ns, t
hey
shou
ld b
e co
llect
ivel
y se
ated
in a
n ex
clus
ivel
y re
serv
ed a
rea
in th
e rig
ht
fore
fron
t of t
he ro
om, i
mm
edia
tely
afte
r cab
inet
min
iste
rs a
nd th
e lik
e.
Shou
ld th
is n
ot p
rove
to b
e po
ssib
le fo
r pra
ctic
al re
ason
s, a
sim
ilar
arra
ngem
ent m
ight
be
mad
e in
ano
ther
pro
min
ent p
art o
f the
room
. Th
e C
hief
of P
roto
col o
r ano
ther
hig
h of
ficia
l of t
he in
vitin
g
84
orga
niza
tion
mig
ht g
reet
the
perm
anen
t rep
rese
ntat
ives
at t
he e
ntra
nce
and
see
that
they
are
ush
ered
to th
eir s
eats
. 10
. In
a c
erem
ony
to w
hich
per
man
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
es a
re in
vite
d co
llect
ivel
y ra
ther
than
as m
embe
rs o
f nat
iona
l del
egat
ions
, and
dur
ing
whi
ch re
pres
enta
tives
of i
nter
natio
nal o
rgan
izat
ions
, loc
al a
utho
ritie
s, an
d th
e lik
e, a
re se
ated
on
a po
dium
, the
pos
sibi
lity
shou
ld b
e co
nsid
ered
of i
nviti
ng th
e C
hairm
an o
f the
Gen
eva
Dip
lom
atic
C
omm
ittee
or,
in h
is a
bsen
ce, o
ne o
f the
vic
e-ch
airm
en, t
o th
e po
dium
. 11
. It
is d
esira
ble
that
per
man
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
es b
e gi
ven
acce
ss to
al
l mee
tings
at w
hich
thei
r cou
ntry
is re
pres
ente
d, ir
resp
ectiv
e of
w
heth
er th
ey h
ave
been
form
ally
not
ified
as m
embe
rs o
f del
egat
ions
to
such
mee
tings
. E
nd o
f ten
ure
of o
ffic
e of
per
man
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
es a
nd m
embe
rs
of p
erm
anen
t mis
sion
s 12
. W
hen
a pe
rman
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
e re
linqu
ishe
s his
pos
t, th
e cu
rren
t pra
ctic
e is
that
he
pay
a fa
rew
ell v
isit
to th
e D
irect
or-
Gen
eral
of t
he U
nite
d N
atio
ns O
ffic
e at
Gen
eva
and
to th
e di
rect
ors
and/
or se
cret
arie
s-ge
nera
l of t
he sp
ecia
lized
age
ncie
s and
oth
er
inte
rnat
iona
l org
aniz
atio
ns to
whi
ch h
e is
acc
redi
ted
and
that
he
info
rm
othe
r per
man
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
es, i
n w
ritin
g, o
f his
dep
artu
re.
The
Uni
ted
Nat
ions
Off
ice
at G
enev
a co
rres
pond
ingl
y in
form
s the
Pe
rman
ent M
issi
on o
f the
hos
t cou
ntry
. A
ttent
ion
is a
lso,
mut
atis
m
utan
dis,
draw
n to
par
agra
ph 7
abo
ve.
13.
Ther
e is
no
inst
itutio
naliz
ed p
ract
ice
of fa
rew
ell g
ifts f
rom
pe
rman
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
es to
a d
epar
ting
perm
anen
t rep
rese
ntat
ive.
Tem
pora
ry a
bsen
ces o
f per
man
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
es
14.
Perm
anen
t mis
sion
s mus
t adv
ise,
in w
ritin
g, th
e U
nite
d N
atio
ns
Off
ice
at G
enev
a an
d ot
her p
erm
anen
t mis
sion
s abo
ut te
mpo
rary
ab
senc
es o
f per
man
ent r
epre
sent
ativ
es, n
amin
g th
e m
embe
r of t
he
perm
anen
t mis
sion
in q
uest
ion
who
will
be
in c
harg
e.
Cha
nges
in th
e di
plom
atic
per
sonn
el o
f the
per
man
ent m
issi
ons
15.
Perm
anen
t mis
sion
s mus
t adv
ise
the
Uni
ted
Nat
ions
Pro
toco
l an
d Li
aiso
n Se
rvic
e in
Gen
eva
of c
hang
es in
the
dipl
omat
ic p
erso
nnel
(a
rriv
als,
depa
rture
s, of
ficia
l titl
es, p
rom
otio
ns, e
tc.).
85
Uno
ffic
ial t
rans
latio
n
FED
ER
AL
DE
PAR
TM
EN
T O
F FO
RE
IGN
AFF
AIR
S
PRO
TO
CO
L R
EG
UL
AT
ION
S FO
R T
HE
SW
ISS
CO
NFE
DE
RA
TIO
N
App
rove
d by
the
Fede
ral C
ounc
il 9
Dec
embe
r 20
02
Uno
ffic
ial t
rans
latio
n
1
The
term
s use
d in
thes
e re
gula
tions
to d
escr
ibe
func
tions
(Pre
side
nt o
f the
Con
fede
ratio
n, C
hanc
ello
r of t
he
Con
fede
ratio
n, H
ead
of P
roto
col,
Hea
d of
Mis
sion
, etc
.) re
fer t
o bo
th g
ende
rs.
CO
NT
EN
TS
Pa
ges
PAR
T 1
Com
pete
nce
rega
rdin
g pr
otoc
ol a
nd c
erem
onia
l 2
P AR
T 2
Prot
ocol
reg
ulat
ions
I. A
grém
ent o
f a n
ew H
ead
of M
issi
on
2 II
. A
rriv
al o
f a n
ew H
ead
of M
issi
on
2 II
I. Pr
esen
tatio
n of
cre
dent
ials
/lettr
es d
e ca
bine
t 3
IV.
Abs
ence
s and
reca
ll of
the
Hea
d of
Mis
sion
3-
4 V
. A
udie
nces
4
VI.
Vis
its to
the
cant
onal
aut
horit
ies
4 V
II.
Pres
enta
tion
of N
ew Y
ear w
ishe
s 4-
5 V
III.
Off
icia
l rec
eptio
ns fo
r the
Dip
lom
atic
Cor
ps
5 IX
. In
vita
tions
from
the
Dip
lom
atic
Cor
ps
5 X
. O
ffic
ial v
isits
5-
7 X
I. Pr
ivat
e st
ay o
r tra
nsit
visi
t to
Switz
erla
nd b
y a
fore
ign
dign
itary
7
XII
. D
eath
s 7-
8 X
III.
Fede
ral f
lag
8 X
IV.
Dec
orat
ions
8-
9 X
V.
Wea
ring
of fo
reig
n ar
med
-for
ces’
uni
form
s in
Switz
erla
nd
9 X
VI.
Ord
er o
f spe
eche
s 9
XV
II.
Prec
eden
ce
9-11
(App
endi
x: L
ist o
f Pre
cede
nce
in S
witz
erla
nd)
PAR
T 3
Inte
rnat
iona
l org
anisa
tions
12
P AR
T 4
Fina
l pro
visi
ons
12
86
Uno
ffic
ial t
rans
latio
n
2
PAR
T 1
Com
pete
nce
rega
rdin
g pr
otoc
ol a
nd c
erem
onia
l
1.Th
e Fe
dera
l Dep
artm
ent o
f Fo
reig
n A
ffai
rs is
the
com
pete
nt a
utho
rity
to d
eter
min
e m
atte
rs o
f pro
toco
l and
cer
emon
ial c
once
rnin
g th
e Fe
dera
l Cou
ncil
and
the
Pres
iden
t of
the
Swis
s Con
fede
ratio
n.
2.Pr
otoc
ol o
f the
Fed
eral
Dep
artm
ent o
f For
eign
Aff
airs
(her
eafte
r Pro
toco
l) en
sure
s co-
ordi
natio
n w
ith th
e ot
her
Dep
artm
ents
and
with
the
fede
ral,
cant
onal
and
com
mun
al
auth
oriti
es.
PAR
T 2
Prot
ocol
reg
ulat
ions
I.A
grém
ento
f a n
ew H
ead
of M
issi
on
1.A
grém
ent o
f a n
ew H
ead
of M
issi
on is
sou
ght b
y th
e se
ndin
g St
ate
eith
er th
roug
h its
di
plom
atic
mis
sion
in
Switz
erla
nd o
r th
roug
h th
e Sw
iss
dipl
omat
ic m
issi
on i
n th
at
Stat
e. A
cur
ricul
um v
itae
is to
be
encl
osed
with
the
requ
est.
2.Th
e pr
oced
ure
rem
ains
sec
ret u
p to
the
mom
e nt w
hen
agré
men
t is
com
mun
icat
ed to
th
e au
thor
ities
of
the
send
ing
Stat
e th
roug
h th
e sa
me
dipl
omat
ic c
hann
el u
sed
to
subm
it th
e re
ques
t.
3.Th
e Sw
iss a
utho
ritie
s do
not i
ssue
a p
ress
rele
ase
whe
n ag
rém
ent i
s giv
en.
II.
Arr
ival
of a
new
Hea
d of
Mis
sion
1.Th
e ar
rival
of a
new
Hea
d of
Mis
sion
is n
otifi
ed w
ithou
t del
ay to
Pro
toco
l.
The
new
Hea
d of
Mis
sion
is o
ffic
ially
wel
com
ed b
y a
repr
esen
tativ
e of
Pro
toco
l if
arriv
ing
at B
erne
railw
ay st
atio
n or
at B
elpm
oos a
irpor
t, ne
ar B
erne
. How
ever
, a H
ead
of M
issi
on is
not
acc
orde
d an
off
icia
l wel
com
e on
arr
ival
in S
witz
erla
nd a
t a b
orde
r po
st o
r els
ewhe
re th
an in
Ber
ne.
2.D
urin
g th
e fir
st d
ays
follo
win
g ar
rival
in B
erne
, the
Dep
uty-
Hea
d of
Pro
toco
l pay
s a
visi
t to
the
new
Hea
d of
Mis
sion
. N
ew H
eads
of
Mis
sion
with
out
a pe
rman
ent
resi
denc
e in
Ber
ne p
rese
nt th
emse
lves
dire
ctly
to th
e H
ead
of P
roto
col.
Uno
ffic
ial t
rans
latio
n
3
III.
Pres
enta
tion
of c
rede
ntia
ls/le
ttre
s de
cabi
net
1.W
hen
visi
ting
the
Hea
d of
Pro
toco
l, th
e ne
w H
ead
of M
issi
on p
rese
nts
true
copi
es o
f hi
s c
rede
ntia
ls a
nd o
f his
pre
dece
ssor
’s le
tters
of r
ecal
l. Fr
om th
at m
omen
t, th
e ne
w
Hea
d of
Mis
sion
can
fully
exe
rcis
e hi
s fun
ctio
ns.
2.Th
e H
ead
of P
roto
col d
escr
ibes
in b
road
term
s ho
w th
e fe
dera
l adm
inis
tratio
n an
d, in
pa
rticu
lar,
the
Fede
ral
Dep
artm
ent
of F
orei
gn A
ffai
rs i
s or
gani
sed.
He
expl
ains
ce
rem
onia
l fo
r th
e pr
esen
tatio
n of
cre
dent
ials
, and
ind
icat
es t
he d
ay t
his
will
tak
e pl
ace.
3.O
n th
e ap
poin
ted
day,
as
conf
irmed
by
note
ver
bale
, a
repr
esen
tativ
e of
Pro
toco
l, ac
com
pani
ed b
y an
ush
er in
ful
l dre
ss a
nd a
pol
ice
esco
rt, a
rriv
es to
col
lect
the
new
H
ead
of M
issi
on i
n an
off
icia
l ca
r an
d ac
com
pany
him
to
the
Fede
ral
Pala
ce. T
he
Hea
d of
Mis
sion
may
be
acco
mpa
nied
by
a m
axim
um o
f th
ree
mem
bers
of
his
dipl
omat
ic st
aff.
On
arriv
al, t
he H
ead
of P
roto
col w
elco
mes
the
Hea
d of
Mis
sion
and
con
duct
s hi
m to
th
eSa
lon
d’ho
nneu
r of
the
Fede
ral C
ounc
il to
be
intro
duce
d to
the
Pres
iden
t of
the
Con
fede
ratio
n an
d th
e C
hanc
ello
r of
the
Con
fede
ratio
n. I
f pr
even
ted
from
atte
ndin
g,
the
Pres
iden
t is
, in
prin
cipl
e, r
epre
sent
ed b
y th
e V
ice-
Pres
iden
t of
the
Fed
eral
C
ounc
il.
4.N
o sp
eech
es a
re m
ade
nor
writ
ten
com
mun
icat
ions
exc
hang
ed a
t th
e tim
e of
pr
esen
ting
cred
entia
ls s
o as
to le
ave
mor
e tim
e fo
r inf
orm
al d
iscu
ssio
n. P
hoto
grap
hs
are
take
n du
ring
the
cere
mon
y w
hich
, in
prin
cipl
e, d
oes
not e
xcee
d 15
min
utes
. The
H
ead
of M
issi
on i
s es
corte
d ba
ck t
o hi
s re
side
nce
as s
oon
as t
he c
erem
ony
has
finis
hed.
5.D
ress
cod
e fo
r thi
s cer
emon
y: d
ark
suit,
nat
iona
l cos
tum
e or
uni
form
.
6.A
pre
ss re
leas
e on
the
pres
enta
tion
of c
rede
ntia
ls is
issu
ed b
y th
e Fe
dera
l Dep
artm
ent
of F
orei
gn A
ffai
rs.
7.Th
e C
harg
é d'
Aff
aire
s en
pie
d is
acc
ompa
nied
by
a re
pres
enta
tive
of P
roto
col i
n an
of
ficia
l car
to th
e Fe
dera
l Pal
ace
whe
re h
e is
cond
ucte
d to
the
offic
e of
the
Hea
d of
th
e Fe
dera
l Dep
artm
ent o
f For
eign
Aff
airs
for t
he p
rese
ntat
ion
of le
ttres
de
cabi
net.
IV.
Abs
ence
s and
rec
all o
f the
Hea
d of
Mis
sion
1.A
Hea
d of
Mis
sion
tem
pora
rily
leav
ing
Switz
erla
nd in
form
s Pr
otoc
ol b
y no
te v
erba
le
and
indi
cate
s th
e na
me
of th
e m
embe
r of h
is d
iplo
mat
ic s
taff
who
will
run
the
mis
sion
as
Cha
rgé
d'A
ffai
res a
d in
teri
m d
urin
g hi
s ab
senc
e. If
the
Hea
d of
Mis
sion
is u
nabl
e to
do
this
bef
ore
leav
ing,
the
nam
e of
the
Cha
rgé
d'A
ffai
res
ad in
teri
m m
ust b
e no
tifie
d to
the
Fed
eral
Dep
artm
ent
of F
orei
gn A
ffai
rs (
Prot
ocol
) in
a f
ax m
essa
ge f
rom
the
M
inis
try o
f Fo
reig
n A
ffai
rs o
f th
e se
ndin
g St
ate.
On
his
retu
rn, t
he H
ead
of M
issi
on
notif
ies P
roto
col o
f his
resu
mpt
ion
of d
utie
s.
87
Uno
ffic
ial t
rans
latio
n
4
2.Th
e C
harg
é d'
Aff
aire
s ad
int
erim
see
s to
it
that
his
cou
ntry
’s M
inis
try o
f Fo
reig
n A
ffai
rs n
otifi
es t
he F
eder
al D
epar
tmen
t of
For
eign
Aff
airs
(Pr
otoc
ol)
in a
dvan
ce b
y fa
x of
any
tem
pora
ry o
r pe
rman
ent a
bsen
ce f
rom
Sw
itzer
land
, inc
ludi
ng th
e na
me
of
the
pers
on d
esig
nate
d to
take
ove
r his
func
tions
as C
harg
é d'
Aff
aire
s ad
inte
rim
.
3.W
hen
a H
ead
of M
issi
on w
ho h
as c
arrie
d ou
t dut
ies i
n B
erne
for t
hree
yea
rs o
r mor
e is
to
leav
e pe
rman
ently
, a f
arew
ell l
unch
eon
is g
iven
in h
is h
onou
r by
the
Secr
etar
y of
St
ate,
the
Secr
etar
y G
ener
al o
r a D
irect
or o
f the
Fed
eral
Dep
artm
ent o
f For
eign
Aff
airs
on
beh
alf o
f the
Fed
eral
Cou
ncil.
4.Fa
rew
ell v
isits
to m
embe
rs o
f the
Fed
eral
Cou
ncil
are
not r
equi
red.
How
ever
, Hea
ds o
f M
issi
on w
ho w
ish
to p
ay a
far
ewel
l vi
sit t
o th
e H
ead
of th
e Fe
dera
l Dep
artm
ent o
f Fo
reig
n A
ffai
rs, a
nd p
ossi
bly
to o
ther
mem
bers
of t
he F
eder
al C
ounc
il, s
houl
d co
ntac
t Pr
otoc
ol to
org
anis
e su
ch v
isits
.
V.
Aud
ienc
es
Follo
win
g th
e pr
esen
tatio
n of
cre
dent
ials
, Pr
otoc
ol i
s at
the
dis
posa
l of
Hea
ds o
f M
issi
on to
arr
ange
the
date
s an
d tim
es o
f aud
ienc
es th
ey w
ish
to h
ave
with
the
Hea
d of
the
Fed
eral
Dep
artm
ent
of F
orei
gn A
ffai
rs o
r ot
her
mem
bers
of
the
Fede
ral
Cou
ncil.
The
se a
udie
nces
, to
be re
ques
ted
by n
ote
verb
ale,
are
how
ever
not
obl
igat
ory
and
shou
ld, f
or p
refe
renc
e, b
e co
mbi
ned
with
a d
iplo
mat
ic d
émar
che.
VI.
Vis
its to
the
cant
onal
aut
hori
ties
1.O
ffic
ial
visi
ts t
hat
Hea
ds o
f M
issi
on w
ish
to m
ake
to t
he c
anto
nal
auth
oriti
es a
re
neith
er c
onsi
dere
d ob
ligat
ory
nor
are
they
trul
y cu
stom
ary.
Acc
ordi
ng to
the
Fede
ral
Con
stitu
tion,
fore
ign
affa
irs fa
ll w
ithin
the
com
pete
nce
of th
e C
onfe
dera
tion.
2.Ea
ch c
anto
n is
sov
erei
gn in
this
resp
ect,
how
ever
, and
det
erm
ines
its
own
crite
ria fo
r re
ceiv
ing
gues
ts.
3.V
isits
prim
arily
occ
ur i
n th
e ca
nton
s w
here
the
rel
evan
t St
ates
hav
e pa
rticu
lar
inte
rest
s an
d w
ith w
hich
the
y cu
ltiva
te c
lose
rel
atio
ns. T
his
appl
ies
in p
artic
ular
to
cant
ons
whe
re t
he S
tate
s m
aint
ain
cons
ular
rep
rese
ntat
ions
, whe
re t
hey
have
dire
ct
com
mer
cial
inte
rest
s, or
whe
re a
sign
ifica
nt n
umbe
r of t
heir
citiz
ens r
esid
e.
4.Th
e H
ead
of M
issi
on sh
all t
ake
care
to li
mit
the
num
ber o
f suc
h vi
sits
to tw
o pe
r yea
r, m
akin
g ea
ch r
eque
st b
y no
te v
erba
le to
Pro
toco
l, w
hich
ens
ures
co-
ordi
natio
n w
ith
the
cant
ons.
Onl
y vi
sits
to th
e B
erne
can
tona
l aut
horit
y ar
e ar
rang
ed d
irect
ly b
y th
e in
tere
sted
Mis
sion
.
VII
. Pre
sent
atio
n of
New
Yea
r w
ishe
s
1.Th
e Pr
esid
ent
of t
he C
onfe
dera
tion
rece
ives
New
Yea
r w
ishe
s an
d re
spon
ds t
o th
e sp
eech
by
the
Dea
n of
the
Dip
lom
atic
Cor
ps.
2.Th
e H
ead
of th
e Fe
dera
l Dep
artm
ent o
f For
eign
Aff
airs
atte
nds t
his c
erem
ony.
Uno
ffic
ial t
rans
latio
n
5
3.A
s a
gene
ral r
ule
the
cere
mon
y ta
kes
plac
e du
ring
the
seco
nd w
eek
in J
anua
ry. E
ach
Hea
d of
Mis
sion
may
be
acco
mpa
nied
by
a m
embe
r of
the
dip
lom
atic
sta
ff o
f th
e M
issi
on,
but
not
his
spou
se.
Prot
ocol
est
ablis
hes
the
prog
ram
me
for
rece
ivin
g th
e H
eads
of
Mis
sion
. D
ress
cod
e fo
r th
is c
erem
ony:
dar
k su
it, n
atio
nal
cost
ume
or
unifo
rm.
VII
I. O
ffic
ial r
ecep
tions
in h
onou
r of
the
Dip
lom
atic
Cor
ps
1.Ev
ery
two
year
s (in
odd
-num
bere
d ye
ars)
, the
Fed
eral
Cou
ncil
orga
nise
s a
cultu
ral
even
t fol
low
ed b
y a
rece
ptio
n.
The
Hea
ds o
f M
issi
on a
nd C
harg
és d
'Aff
aire
s ad
int
erim
who
hav
e be
en o
ffic
ially
no
tifie
d to
Pro
toco
l are
invi
ted
toge
ther
with
thei
r spo
uses
.
D
ress
cod
e is
det
erm
ined
by
Prot
ocol
.
2.A
ltern
atin
g w
ith th
is (i
.e. i
n ev
en-n
umbe
red
year
s), t
he F
eder
al C
ounc
il or
gani
ses
an
excu
rsio
n, w
ith in
vita
tions
rest
ricte
d to
the
Hea
ds o
f Mis
sion
and
Cha
rgés
d'A
ffai
res
ad i
nter
im w
ho h
ave
been
off
icia
lly n
otifi
ed t
o Pr
otoc
ol,
acco
mpa
nied
by
thei
r sp
ouse
s.
IX. I
nvita
tions
from
the
Dip
lom
atic
Cor
ps
1.Th
e m
embe
rs o
f the
Fed
eral
Cou
ncil
and
the
Cha
ncel
lor o
f the
Con
fede
ratio
n do
not
in
prin
cipl
e at
tend
rec
eptio
ns g
iven
by
Hea
ds o
f Mis
sion
on
thei
r co
untri
es’
natio
nal
days
.
2.Th
e m
embe
rs o
f th
e Fe
dera
l C
ounc
il m
ay,
on t
he o
ther
han
d, p
erso
nally
acc
ept
invi
tatio
ns to
lunc
h or
din
ner,
or a
ny o
ther
rece
ptio
n gi
ven
in th
eir h
onou
r.
In
vita
tions
are
com
mun
icat
ed v
ia P
roto
col.
X.
Off
icia
l vis
its
1.St
ate
visi
ts
A S
tate
vis
it is
one
mad
e in
Sw
itzer
land
by
a H
ead
of S
tate
, at t
he in
vita
tion
of th
e Fe
dera
l Cou
ncil.
As a
gen
eral
rule
, the
re a
re o
ne o
r tw
o St
ate
visi
ts a
yea
r.
The
prog
ram
me
of t
he v
isit
is p
repa
red
by P
roto
col
and
the
dipl
omat
ic m
issi
on i
n Sw
itzer
land
of
the
Stat
e co
ncer
ned.
The
for
eign
gue
st i
s, in
prin
cipl
e, o
ffer
ed
acco
mm
odat
ion
at a
maj
or h
otel
in B
erne
.
A S
tate
vis
it la
sts
two
days
.D
urin
g th
e fir
st d
ay,
the
Fede
ral
Cou
ncil
in c
orpo
re(in
clud
ing
the
Cha
ncel
lor
of th
e C
onfe
dera
tion)
off
icia
lly w
elco
mes
the
gues
t at t
he
Fede
ral P
alac
e.In
the
even
ing,
the
Fede
ral C
ounc
il ho
sts
a re
cept
ion
in h
onou
r of t
he
gues
t. Th
e re
mai
ning
par
t of t
he v
isit
is g
ener
ally
dev
oted
to e
xcur
sion
s.
88
Uno
ffic
ial t
rans
latio
n
6
Mili
tary
hon
ours
are
pai
d an
d th
e na
tiona
l an
them
s pl
ayed
dur
ing
the
offic
ial
wel
com
e in
Ber
ne’s
Bun
desp
latz
, an
d, i
n pr
inci
ple,
at
the
airp
ort
on t
he H
ead
of
Stat
e's d
epar
ture
.
2.O
ffici
al v
isit
by a
Hea
d of
Sta
te
An
offic
ial v
isit
by a
Hea
d of
Sta
te is
one
mad
e in
Sw
itzer
land
by
a H
ead
of S
tate
at
the
invi
tatio
n of
the
Fede
ral C
ounc
il.
The
prog
ram
me
of t
he v
isit
is p
repa
red
by P
roto
col
and
the
dipl
omat
ic m
issi
on i
n Sw
itzer
land
of
the
Stat
e co
ncer
ned.
The
vis
it is
, in
prin
cipl
e, d
evot
ed t
o of
ficia
l m
eetin
gs w
ith a
del
egat
ion
of F
eder
al C
ounc
illor
s an
d to
a l
unch
eon,
din
ner
or
rece
ptio
n ho
sted
by
the
Fede
ral
Cou
ncil
in h
onou
r of
the
gue
st. A
n ex
curs
ion
may
fo
llow
.
As a
rule
, the
fore
ign
gues
t is o
ffer
ed a
ccom
mod
atio
n at
a m
ajor
hot
el in
Ber
ne.
Mili
tary
hon
ours
are
pai
d an
d th
e na
tiona
l an
them
s pl
ayed
, in
prin
cipl
e, d
urin
g th
e of
ficia
l wel
com
e at
the
Lohn
Man
or in
Keh
rsat
z.
3.O
ffici
al v
isit
by a
Hea
d of
Gov
ernm
ent
An
offic
ial v
isit
by a
Hea
d of
Gov
ernm
ent i
s on
e m
ade
in S
witz
erla
nd b
y a
Hea
d of
G
over
nmen
t at t
he in
vita
tion
of th
e Fe
dera
l Cou
ncil.
The
prog
ram
me
of t
he v
isit
is p
repa
red
by P
roto
col
and
the
dipl
omat
ic m
issi
on i
n Sw
itzer
land
of
the
Stat
e co
ncer
ned.
As
a ge
nera
l rul
e, th
e vi
sit i
s de
vote
d to
off
icia
l m
eetin
gs w
ith a
del
egat
ion
of F
eder
al C
ounc
illor
s, pr
eced
ed o
r fo
llow
ed b
y a
lunc
heon
or a
din
ner.
An
excu
rsio
n m
ay fo
llow
.
As a
rule
, the
fore
ign
gues
t is o
ffer
ed a
ccom
mod
atio
n at
a m
ajor
hot
el in
Ber
ne.
4.O
ffici
al v
isit
by a
mem
ber o
f gov
ernm
ent
An
offic
ial v
isit
by a
mem
ber o
f gov
ernm
ent i
s one
mad
e in
Sw
itzer
land
by
a m
embe
r of
a fo
reig
n go
vern
men
t at t
he in
vita
tion
of th
at g
over
nmen
t mem
ber’
s cou
nter
part
in
the
Fede
ral C
ounc
il.
The
prog
ram
me
of t
he v
isit
is p
repa
red
by t
he F
eder
al D
epar
tmen
t co
ncer
ned,
the
re
leva
nt d
iplo
mat
ic m
issi
on i
n Sw
itzer
land
and
, if
nece
ssar
y, i
n co
nsul
tatio
n w
ith
Prot
ocol
. The
vis
it is
dev
oted
to o
ffic
ial m
eetin
gs p
rece
ded
or fo
llow
ed b
y a
lunc
heon
or
a d
inne
r.A
n ex
curs
ion
may
follo
w.
As a
rule
, the
fore
ign
gues
t is o
ffer
ed a
ccom
mod
atio
n at
a m
ajor
hot
el in
Ber
ne.
Uno
ffic
ial t
rans
latio
n
7
5.O
ffici
al w
orki
ng v
isit
An
offic
ial
wor
king
vis
it by
a H
ead
of S
tate
, H
ead
of G
over
nmen
t or
mem
ber
of
gove
rnm
ent
is l
ess
form
al t
han
an o
ffic
ial
visi
t. It
is t
here
fore
sub
ject
to
sim
plifi
ed
prot
ocol
, com
pris
ing
a w
elco
me
to B
erne
and
off
icia
l mee
tings
, pre
cede
d or
follo
wed
by
a lu
nche
on o
r a d
inne
r.
6.C
ourt
esy
visi
t
A c
ourte
sy v
isit
is o
ne t
hat
a H
ead
of S
tate
, Hea
d of
Gov
ernm
ent
or m
embe
r of
a
fore
ign
gove
rnm
ent
stay
ing
in S
witz
erla
nd w
ishe
s to
mak
e to
the
Pre
side
nt o
f th
e C
onfe
dera
tion
or a
noth
er m
embe
r of t
he F
eder
al C
ounc
il. T
he D
epar
tmen
t con
cern
ed
orga
nise
s su
ch v
isits
in
colla
bora
tion
with
the
dip
lom
atic
mis
sion
of
the
rele
vant
St
ate.
Pro
toco
l or
gani
ses
cour
tesy
vis
its b
y a
Min
iste
r of
For
eign
Aff
airs
to
the
Pres
iden
t of t
he C
onfe
dera
tion.
Cou
rtesy
vis
its, w
hich
nor
mal
ly a
re b
rief,
are
subj
ect
to si
mpl
ified
pro
toco
l.
7.Sp
ouse
of a
Hea
d of
Sta
te, H
ead
of G
over
nmen
t or m
embe
r of g
over
nmen
t
As a
gen
eral
rule
, pro
gram
mes
for t
he sp
ouse
of a
Hea
d of
Sta
te, H
ead
of G
over
nmen
tor
mem
ber
of g
over
nmen
t are
org
anis
ed b
y Pr
otoc
ol o
n th
e oc
casi
on o
f a
Stat
e vi
sit
only
.
XI.
Priv
ate
stay
or
tran
sit v
isit
to S
witz
erla
nd b
y a
fore
ign
dign
itary
Ther
e is
no
parti
cula
r pr
otoc
ol f
or a
priv
ate
stay
or
trans
it vi
sit t
o Sw
itzer
land
by
a fo
reig
n H
ead
of S
tate
or S
over
eign
, Hea
d of
Gov
ernm
ent o
r mem
ber o
f gov
ernm
ent.
The
dipl
omat
ic m
issi
on o
f the
Sta
te c
once
rned
sho
uld
give
off
icia
l adv
ance
not
ice
of
the
stay
to
Prot
ocol
. Th
at b
eing
don
e, t
he c
ompe
tent
Sw
iss
auth
oriti
es c
an m
ake
avai
labl
e ap
prop
riate
faci
litie
s on
arr
ival
and
dep
artu
re, t
akin
g ac
coun
t of t
he v
isito
r’s
stat
us.
Thes
e au
thor
ities
will
als
o ta
ke t
he s
ecur
ity m
easu
res
that
the
y co
nsid
er
nece
ssar
y pr
ovid
ed th
at th
ey a
re d
uly
info
rmed
by
note
ver
bale
fro
m th
e di
plom
atic
m
issi
on in
Sw
itzer
land
of t
he S
tate
con
cern
ed.
XII
. Dea
ths
1.In
cas
e of
the
dea
th o
f a
Hea
d of
Sta
te o
r H
ead
of G
over
nmen
t, th
e H
ead
of t
he
Fede
ral D
epar
tmen
t of F
orei
gn A
ffai
rs, a
ccom
pani
ed b
y a
clos
e ad
vise
r and
the
Hea
d of
Pro
toco
l, go
es to
the
resi
denc
e of
the
Hea
d of
Mis
sion
or
to th
e ch
ance
ry o
f th
e di
plom
atic
mis
sion
in S
witz
erla
nd o
f the
Sta
te in
mou
rnin
g to
pre
sent
the
cond
olen
ces
of th
e Fe
dera
l Cou
ncil,
and
to si
gn th
e co
ndol
ence
boo
k.
If t
he H
ead
of M
issi
on i
s a
Cha
rgé
d'A
ffai
res
en p
ied
or a
Cha
rgé
d'A
ffai
res
ad
inte
rim
, the
vis
it is
mad
e by
the
Hea
d of
Pro
toco
l.
If t
he d
iplo
mat
ic m
issi
on o
f th
e St
ate
in m
ourn
ing
orga
nise
s a
fune
ral
serv
ice,
the
Fe
dera
l Cou
ncil
is a
ppro
pria
tely
repr
esen
ted
ther
e.
89
Uno
ffic
ial t
rans
latio
n
8
2.In
cas
e of
the
deat
h of
a H
ead
of M
issi
on a
ccre
dite
d to
the
Fede
ral C
ounc
il, m
embe
rs
of th
e de
ceas
ed’s
fam
ily in
Ber
ne a
re v
isite
d by
the
Hea
d of
the
Fede
ral D
epar
tmen
t of
For
eign
Aff
airs
acc
ompa
nied
by
a cl
ose
advi
ser a
nd th
e H
ead
of P
roto
col.
If th
e de
ceas
ed w
as a
Cha
rgé
d'A
ffai
res
en p
ied
or C
harg
é d'
Aff
aire
s ad
inte
rim
, the
H
ead
of P
roto
col m
akes
the
visi
t.
Dur
ing
the
fune
ral,
a w
reat
h is
laid
on
beha
lf of
the
Fede
ral C
ounc
il. If
the
dece
ased
w
as a
Cha
rgé
d'A
ffai
res
en p
ied
or C
harg
é d'
Aff
aire
s ad
inte
rim
, the
wre
ath
is la
id o
n be
half
of th
e Fe
dera
l Dep
artm
ent o
f For
eign
Aff
airs
.
The
Fede
ral
Cou
ncil
or t
he F
eder
al D
epar
tmen
t of
For
eign
Aff
airs
are
rep
rese
nted
ap
prop
riate
ly a
t the
fune
ral c
erem
ony
or se
rvic
e.
3.
In c
ase
of th
e de
ath
of a
mem
ber
of th
e di
plom
atic
sta
ff o
f a
dipl
omat
ic m
issi
on in
Sw
itzer
land
, con
dole
nces
are
pre
sent
ed in
a le
tter
from
the
Hea
d of
Pro
toco
l to
the
Hea
d of
Mis
sion
.
XII
I. Fe
dera
l fla
g
The
fede
ral f
lag
is fl
own:
1.O
n th
e H
ouse
of P
arlia
men
t, i.e
. the
cen
tral b
uild
ing
of th
e Fe
dera
l Pal
ace,
dur
ing
fede
ral p
arlia
men
tary
sess
ions
;
2.O
n al
l bui
ldin
gs b
elon
ging
to th
e C
onfe
dera
tion
on 1
Aug
ust.
The
fede
ral f
lag
is fl
own
at h
alf-m
ast:
1.O
n al
l bui
ldin
gs b
elon
ging
to th
e C
onfe
dera
tion,
from
the
day
on w
hich
a F
eder
al
Cou
ncill
or d
ies i
n of
fice
until
the
day
of th
e fu
nera
l;
2.O
n th
e W
est W
ing
of th
e Fe
dera
l Pal
ace
on th
e da
y of
the
deat
h an
d on
the
day
of th
e fu
nera
l of:
a)
a H
ead
of S
tate
in o
ffic
e of
a c
ount
ry w
ith w
hich
the
Con
fede
ratio
n m
aint
ains
di
plom
atic
rela
tions
, and
in o
ther
circ
umst
ance
s as d
ecid
ed b
y th
e Fe
dera
l C
ounc
il;
b)
the
Cha
ncel
lor o
f the
Con
fede
ratio
n in
off
ice;
c)
a
Hea
d of
Mis
sion
acc
redi
ted
to th
e Fe
dera
l Cou
ncil.
The
Fede
ral P
alac
e an
d th
e C
ity o
f Ber
ne a
re d
ecke
d w
ith fl
ags:
Dur
ing
Stat
e vi
sits
.
Uno
ffic
ial t
rans
latio
n
9
XIV
. Dec
orat
ions
1.Th
e Fe
dera
l La
w o
f 23
Jun
e 20
00 o
n tit
les
and
deco
ratio
ns g
rant
ed b
y fo
reig
n au
thor
ities
pro
hibi
ts c
erta
in S
wis
s ci
tizen
s fr
om a
ccep
ting
title
s or
dec
orat
ions
that
a
fore
ign
gove
rnm
ent
may
wis
h to
con
fer
on t
hem
. Th
e sa
me
law
pro
hibi
ts f
orei
gn
dist
inct
ions
from
bei
ng a
ccep
ted
or w
orn
by m
embe
rs o
f the
Sw
iss a
rmed
forc
es.
2.D
iplo
mat
ic m
issi
ons
who
se g
over
nmen
ts i
nten
d to
con
fer
a di
stin
ctio
n or
titl
e on
a
Swis
s citi
zen
are
requ
este
d to
con
sult
Prot
ocol
in a
dvan
ce, i
n ea
ch c
ase.
XV
. Wea
ring
of f
orei
gn a
rmed
-for
ces'
uni
form
s in
Switz
erla
nd
1.W
earin
g th
e un
iform
of f
orei
gn a
rmed
forc
es is
forb
idde
n in
Sw
itzer
land
. In
som
e ve
ry
spec
ific
case
s, sp
ecia
l aut
horis
atio
n m
ay b
e gr
ante
d by
the
Fede
ral D
epar
tmen
t of
Def
ence
, Civ
il Pr
otec
tion
and
Spor
ts.
2.A
ll re
ques
ts m
ust b
e su
bmitt
ed to
Mili
tary
Pro
toco
l usi
ng a
ppro
pria
te fo
rms.
3.A
s an
exc
eptio
n to
poi
nts
1 an
d 2
abov
e, D
efen
ce A
ttach
és a
nd D
eput
y A
ttach
és
accr
edite
d in
Sw
itzer
land
are
aut
horis
ed t
o w
ear
unifo
rm w
hile
car
ryin
g ou
t th
eir
dutie
s, w
ithou
t hav
ing
to su
bmit
a re
ques
t for
aut
horis
atio
n.
XV
I. O
rder
of s
peec
hes
As a
gen
eral
rule
, the
spea
ker w
ith th
e hi
ghes
t ran
k sp
eaks
last
.
XV
II. P
rece
denc
e
1.G
ener
al re
mar
ks
a)
The
ord
er o
f pr
eced
ence
to
be o
bser
ved
at o
ffic
ial
cere
mon
ies
and
rece
ptio
ns i
s in
dica
ted
in th
e fo
llow
ing
lists
and
tabl
es. P
roto
col i
s at
the
disp
osal
of d
iplo
mat
ic
mis
sion
s in
Switz
erla
nd th
at w
ould
like
spec
ific
deta
ils o
n th
is m
atte
r.
b)W
here
a n
umbe
r of p
erso
ns h
ave
the
sam
e ra
nk, t
heir
resp
ectiv
e pr
eced
ence
is, a
s a
gene
ral r
ule,
det
erm
ined
by
thei
r sen
iorit
y an
d ag
e. In
prin
cipl
e, s
pous
es s
hare
the
sam
e ra
nk.
90
Uno
ffic
ial t
rans
latio
n
10
2.Pr
eced
ence
of m
embe
rs o
f the
Dip
lom
atic
Cor
ps1.
Apo
stol
ic N
unci
o 2.
Am
bass
ador
s 3.
Cha
rgés
d'A
ffai
res e
n pi
ed4.
Cha
rgés
d'A
ffai
res a
d in
teri
m5.
Min
iste
r-C
ouns
ello
rs
6.C
ouns
ello
rs
7.Se
cret
arie
s of E
mba
ssy
8.
Atta
chés
In e
ach
cate
gory
, the
ord
er o
f pr
eced
ence
is
set
by t
he d
ate
whe
n cr
eden
tials
wer
e pr
esen
ted
or w
hen
the
dipl
omat
con
cern
ed to
ok u
p du
ties.
This
is in
dica
ted
in th
e lis
t of
Dip
lom
atic
Cor
ps m
embe
rs.
The
resp
ectiv
e ra
nkin
g of
Cha
rgés
d'A
ffai
res
ad
inte
rim
is d
eter
min
ed b
y th
e da
te o
n w
hich
thei
r ass
umpt
ion
of d
utie
s w
as n
otifi
ed to
Pr
otoc
ol.
3.Pr
eced
ence
of m
embe
rs o
f the
Con
sula
r Cor
ps
1.C
onsu
ls G
ener
al
2.C
onsu
ls
3.V
ice
Con
suls
4.
Con
sula
r age
nts
The
Hea
ds o
f Pos
t tak
e th
eir r
ank
in e
ach
cate
gory
acc
ordi
ng to
the
date
the
exeq
uatu
r w
as g
rant
ed. O
ther
con
sula
r age
nts
take
thei
r ran
k ac
cord
ing
to th
e da
te th
ey to
ok u
p th
eir d
utie
s, as
indi
cate
d in
the
list o
f mem
bers
of t
he C
onsu
lar C
orps
.
4.
Prec
eden
ce o
f for
eign
Def
ence
Atta
chés
and
thei
r Dep
utie
s
A)
The
prec
eden
ce o
f D
efen
ce A
ttach
és a
nd t
heir
Dep
utie
s is
det
erm
ined
on
an
indi
vidu
al b
asis
, acc
ordi
ng to
the
follo
win
g in
dica
tions
of e
quiv
alen
ce:
Gen
eral
=
Am
bass
ador
C
olon
el
= C
ouns
ello
r Li
eute
nant
Col
onel
and
Maj
or
= Fi
rst s
ecre
tary
Atta
chés
take
pre
cede
nce
over
dep
uty
atta
chés
.
B)
With
in th
e C
orps
of
Def
ence
Atta
chés
, the
ord
er o
f pr
eced
ence
is d
eter
min
ed b
y th
e da
te o
n w
hich
dut
ies
wer
e ta
ken
up. T
he D
efen
ce A
ttach
é w
ith r
esid
ence
in
Switz
erla
nd w
ho a
ssum
ed o
ffic
e ea
rlies
t is
the
Dea
n of
the
Cor
ps o
f D
efen
ce
Atta
chés
, reg
ardl
ess
of r
ank.
The
Def
ence
Atta
ché
with
res
iden
ce in
Sw
itzer
land
ap
pear
ing
imm
edia
tely
afte
r th
e D
ean
on th
e lis
t of
prec
eden
ce is
Vic
e-D
ean.
In
the
abse
nce
of th
e D
ean,
the
Vic
e D
ean
perf
orm
s th
e D
ean'
s fu
nctio
n. T
he o
rder
of
pre
cede
nce
for D
eput
y A
ttach
és fo
llow
s th
e sa
me
proc
edur
e as
that
app
lyin
g to
A
ttach
és, r
egar
dles
s of r
ank.
Mili
tary
Pro
toco
l w
ill s
uppl
y th
e pr
eced
ence
lis
t in
for
ce t
o au
thor
ities
tha
t re
ques
t it.
Uno
ffic
ial t
rans
latio
n
1
Mili
tary
Pro
toco
l is
the
liais
on o
ffic
e be
twee
n th
e D
efen
ce A
ttach
és a
ccre
dite
d in
Sw
itzer
land
an
d th
e ci
vilia
n an
d m
ilita
ry
auth
oriti
es,
the
arm
ed
forc
es’
com
man
ds a
nd S
wis
s mili
tary
dig
nita
ries.
5.
Publ
ic c
erem
onie
s and
offi
cial
act
s
Ord
er o
f pre
cede
nce
in B
erne
:
1.Pr
esid
ent o
f the
Con
fede
ratio
n 2.
Vic
e Pr
esid
ent o
f the
Fed
eral
Cou
ncil
3.Fe
dera
l Cou
ncill
ors
in th
e or
der o
f pre
cede
nce
dete
rmin
ed b
y se
nior
ity o
f the
ir el
ectio
n by
the
Fede
ral A
ssem
bly
4.Pr
esid
ent o
f the
Nat
iona
l Cou
ncil
5.Pr
esid
ent o
f the
Cou
ncil
of S
tate
s 6.
Cha
ncel
lor o
f the
Con
fede
ratio
n 7.
Pres
iden
t of t
he F
eder
al S
upre
me
Cou
rt 8.
Pres
iden
t of t
he F
eder
al In
sura
nce
Cou
rt 9.
Form
er F
eder
al C
ounc
illor
s 10
.Pr
esid
ents
of
the
cant
onal
gov
ernm
ents
in
the
orde
r gi
ven
in t
he C
onst
itutio
n (A
rt. 1
Fed
. Con
st.)
11.
Apo
stol
ic N
unci
o 12
.A
mba
ssad
ors a
ccre
dite
d in
Ber
ne
13.
Secr
etar
ies o
f Sta
te
14.
Mem
bers
of t
he N
atio
nal C
ounc
il 15
.M
embe
rs o
f the
Cou
ncil
of S
tate
s 16
.Sw
iss
dign
itarie
s an
d go
vern
men
t of
ficia
ls,
acco
rdin
g to
the
pre
cede
nce
list
atta
ched
17.
Cha
rgés
d'A
ffai
res e
n pi
ed18
.C
harg
és d
'Aff
aire
s ad
inte
rim
19.
Oth
er g
uest
s
Pr
otoc
ol is
ava
ilabl
e to
pro
vide
any
fur
ther
info
rmat
ion
and
to d
eter
min
e, d
epen
ding
on
the
circ
umst
ance
s, th
e or
der o
f pre
cede
nce
for S
wis
s of
ficia
ls n
ot in
clud
ed in
this
lis
t.
PAR
T 3
Inte
rnat
iona
l org
anis
atio
ns
1.Th
e Fe
dera
l C
ounc
il de
term
ines
the
pro
toco
l an
d ce
rem
onia
l re
serv
ed f
or t
he
Secr
etar
y-G
ener
al o
f the
Uni
ted
Nat
ions
dur
ing
offic
ial v
isits
to S
witz
erla
nd.
2)A
s a g
ener
al ru
le, i
t is t
he p
rero
gativ
e of
the
Hea
d of
the
Fede
ral D
epar
tmen
t of
Fore
ign
Aff
airs
or o
f ano
ther
Fed
eral
Dep
artm
ent t
o se
ttle
ques
tions
rela
ting
to v
isits
by
dire
ctor
-gen
eral
s of i
nter
natio
nal o
rgan
isat
ions
. The
pro
gram
me
of v
isits
is d
raw
n up
by
the
Dep
artm
ent c
once
rned
, in
co-o
pera
tion
with
Pol
itica
l Aff
airs
Div
isio
n II
I of
the
Fede
ral D
epar
tmen
t of F
orei
gn A
ffai
rs, a
nd P
roto
col
n
12
PAR
T 4
Fina
l pro
visi
ons
The
Prot
ocol
Reg
ulat
ions
of 2
May
199
0 ar
e he
reby
revo
ked.
Thes
e R
egul
atio
ns c
ome
into
eff
ect o
n th
e da
te w
hen
they
are
app
rove
d by
the
Fede
ral
Cou
ncil.
****
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