ST/SG/4/Rev.7
May 2005

Manual of Protocol

Preface

This publication is by no means an exhaustive review of protocol matters and diplomatic etiquette. Its objective is to formulate basic guidelines and fundamental norms and practices of protocol and administrative requirements accepted at United Nations Headquarters.

            Much of what is written in the following pages has been gathered over the years from practical experience and common sense successfully applied at the United Nations since its inception. In preparing this manual, important documents such as the Headquarters Agreement between the United Nations and the United States of America and legal texts such as United Nations resolutions and other relevant documents have been used. It is recommended that every permanent/observer mission keep a copy of this publication, for it contains important information on administrative and diplomatic procedures, compliance with which will greatly facilitate the activities of the diplomatic community stationed at United Nations Headquarters.

            The United Nations Protocol and Liaison Service sincerely hopes that this manual will enhance the co-operation between permanent/observer missions and the Protocol and Liaison Service, which serves the international community at United Nations Headquarters.

Introduction

United Nations Protocol and Liaison Service
Functions and duties

The Protocol and Liaison Service is a branch of the Executive Office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. It is located on the west side of the second floor of the Secretariat building near the low-rise elevator bank, in room S-201 (Tel: 212-963-7172).

            In accordance with the mandate given by the Secretary-General to the Protocol and Liaison Service, its basic functions and duties include the following:

            (a)            To register all diplomatic personnel and support staff of permanent/observer missions, their dependants and household employees, to provide them with proper United Nations building passes, to approve applications for parking decals, to process requests for diplomatic privileges and immunities for diplomatic personnel of permanent missions and to maintain and update files with relevant data on all the members of the permanent/observer missions;

            (b)            To accredit members of governmental or intergovernmental delegations, representatives of specialized agencies, and associate members of regional commissions participating in the sessions of the General Assembly or other meetings held at Headquarters and to provide them with appropriate building passes;

            (c)            To assist permanent/observer missions with the preparation of official visits to Headquarters by Heads of State or Government or other dignitaries; to coordinate major official observances such as the presentation of credentials to the Secretary-General by newly appointed Permanent Representatives; to aid permanent/observer missions with the organization of official, cultural and social functions at Headquarters; and to assist with arrangements for flag-raising ceremonies for newly admitted Member States, the observance of official mournings, etc.;

            (d)            To maintain and update comprehensive lists of the Heads of State or Government and Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Member States of the United Nations. These lists are available to permanent/
observer missions and delegations;

            (e)            To publish twice a year an up-to-date comprehensive list (the "Blue Book") of the diplomatic personnel of all permanent/observer missions and the composition of the principal organs of the United Nations. The publication also contains other relevant information for the use of delegations;

            (f)            To prepare and publish lists of members of delegations to the sessions of the General Assembly from Member States, observer entities, specialized agencies and associate members of regional commissions, and other organizations with the appropriate status;

            (g)            To advise permanent/observer missions, specialized agencies and the departments/offices of the United Nations Secretariat on matters of protocol usage and practice and norms of diplomatic etiquette accepted at the United Nations; and to provide briefings and lectures on matters of protocol and diplomatic etiquette.