Diplomatic corps
Encyclopedia
The diplomatic corps or corps diplomatique is the collective body of foreign diplomat
s accredited to a particular country or body.
The diplomatic corps may, in certain contexts, refer to the collection of accredited
heads of mission
(ambassador
s, high commissioner
s, and others) who represent their countries
in another state or country. As a body, they usually only assemble to attend state functions like a coronation
, inauguration
, national day
or State Opening of Parliament
, depending on local custom. They may also assemble in the royal or presidential palace
to give their own head of state
's New Year greeting to the head of state of the country in which they are based.
The term is sometimes confused with the collective body of diplomats from a particular country—the proper term for which is diplomatic service
or foreign service. The diplomatic corps is not always given any formal recognition by its host country, but can be referenced by official orders of precedence
.
In many countries, and especially in Africa, the heads and the foreign members of the country offices of major international organizations (United Nations
agencies, the European Union
, the International Committee of the Red Cross
, agencies of the African Union
, etc.) are considered members—and granted the rights and privileges—of the diplomatic corps.
Diplomatic vehicles in most countries have distinctive license plates, often with the prefix or suffix CD, the acronym for the French corps diplomatique.
to a country is given the title Dean, or Doyen, of the Diplomatic Corps and is sometimes accorded a high position in the order of precedence
. In New Zealand
, for example, the dean takes precedence over figures such as the deputy prime minister, former governors-general, and the chief justice. The diplomatic corps may also cooperate amongst itself on a number of matters, including certain dealings with the host government.
Article 4 of the protocol of June 9, 1815, of the Congress of Vienna
provided that the apostolic nuncio (often referred to as the papal nuncio) would be dean of the diplomatic corps in the country of appointment. In many countries that have Roman Catholicism as the official or main religion, the nuncio still holds the decanate and is the corps' spokesman on formal occasions. In the Philippines
, though Catholicism
in not an official religion, the Apostolic Nuncio still holds this rank. In other cases, the nuncio is treated as the ambassador of the Holy See
and has no special precedence.
In practical terms, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps may have a role to play in negotiating with local authorities regarding the application of aspects of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
and diplomatic immunity
, such as the payment of certain fees or taxes, since the receiving country is required "not to discriminate between states". In this sense, the dean has the role of representing the entire diplomatic corps for matters that affect the corps as a whole, although this function is rarely formalized.
, Ambassador of Djibouti
to the United States since 1988, serves as the dean of the diplomatic corps.
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
s accredited to a particular country or body.
The diplomatic corps may, in certain contexts, refer to the collection of accredited
Letter of Credence
A letter of credence is a formal letter usually sent by one head of state to another that formally grants diplomatic accreditation to a named individual to be their ambassador in the country of the head of state receiving the letter...
heads of mission
Head of Mission
In diplomatic usage, Head of Mission or Chief of Mission from the French "Chef de Mission Diplomatique" is the generic term used to refer to the head of a diplomatic representation, such as an Ambassador, High Commissioner, Nuncio, Chargé d'affaires, Permanent Representative, and sometimes to a...
(ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
s, high commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
s, and others) who represent their countries
Country
A country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously...
in another state or country. As a body, they usually only assemble to attend state functions like a coronation
Coronation
A coronation is a ceremony marking the formal investiture of a monarch and/or their consort with regal power, usually involving the placement of a crown upon their head and the presentation of other items of regalia...
, inauguration
Inauguration
An inauguration is a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of a leader's term of office. An example is the ceremony in which the President of the United States officially takes the oath of office....
, national day
National Day
The National Day is a designated date on which celebrations mark the nationhood of a nation or non-sovereign country. This nationhood can be symbolized by the date of independence, of becoming republic or a significant date for a patron saint or a ruler . Often the day is not called "National Day"...
or State Opening of Parliament
State Opening of Parliament
In the United Kingdom, the State Opening of Parliament is an annual event that marks the commencement of a session of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is held in the House of Lords Chamber, usually in November or December or, in a general election year, when the new Parliament first assembles...
, depending on local custom. They may also assemble in the royal or presidential palace
Palace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word itself is derived from the Latin name Palātium, for Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills in Rome. In many parts of Europe, the...
to give their own head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
's New Year greeting to the head of state of the country in which they are based.
The term is sometimes confused with the collective body of diplomats from a particular country—the proper term for which is diplomatic service
Diplomatic service
Diplomatic service is the body of diplomats and foreign policy officers maintained by the government of a country to communicate with the governments of other countries. Diplomatic personnel enjoy diplomatic immunity when they are accredited to other countries...
or foreign service. The diplomatic corps is not always given any formal recognition by its host country, but can be referenced by official orders of precedence
Order of precedence
An order of precedence is a sequential hierarchy of nominal importance of items. Most often it is used in the context of people by many organizations and governments...
.
In many countries, and especially in Africa, the heads and the foreign members of the country offices of major international organizations (United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
agencies, the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, the International Committee of the Red Cross
International Committee of the Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross is a private humanitarian institution based in Geneva, Switzerland. States parties to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977 and 2005, have given the ICRC a mandate to protect the victims of international and...
, agencies of the African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
, etc.) are considered members—and granted the rights and privileges—of the diplomatic corps.
Diplomatic vehicles in most countries have distinctive license plates, often with the prefix or suffix CD, the acronym for the French corps diplomatique.
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps
In some countries, the longest-serving ambassadorAmbassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to a country is given the title Dean, or Doyen, of the Diplomatic Corps and is sometimes accorded a high position in the order of precedence
Order of precedence
An order of precedence is a sequential hierarchy of nominal importance of items. Most often it is used in the context of people by many organizations and governments...
. In New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, for example, the dean takes precedence over figures such as the deputy prime minister, former governors-general, and the chief justice. The diplomatic corps may also cooperate amongst itself on a number of matters, including certain dealings with the host government.
Article 4 of the protocol of June 9, 1815, of the Congress of Vienna
Congress of Vienna
The Congress of Vienna was a conference of ambassadors of European states chaired by Klemens Wenzel von Metternich, and held in Vienna from September, 1814 to June, 1815. The objective of the Congress was to settle the many issues arising from the French Revolutionary Wars, the Napoleonic Wars,...
provided that the apostolic nuncio (often referred to as the papal nuncio) would be dean of the diplomatic corps in the country of appointment. In many countries that have Roman Catholicism as the official or main religion, the nuncio still holds the decanate and is the corps' spokesman on formal occasions. In the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, though Catholicism
Roman Catholicism in the Philippines
The Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, in full communion with the Pope.With 73.8 million members in 2005, it is the predominant religion, making the Philippines the third largest "Catholic" nation in the world after Brazil and Mexico, as well as one...
in not an official religion, the Apostolic Nuncio still holds this rank. In other cases, the nuncio is treated as the ambassador of the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
and has no special precedence.
In practical terms, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps may have a role to play in negotiating with local authorities regarding the application of aspects of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 is an international treaty that defines a framework for diplomatic relations between independent countries. It specifies the privileges of a diplomatic mission that enable diplomats to perform their function without fear of coercion or...
and diplomatic immunity
Diplomatic immunity
Diplomatic immunity is a form of legal immunity and a policy held between governments that ensures that diplomats are given safe passage and are considered not susceptible to lawsuit or prosecution under the host country's laws...
, such as the payment of certain fees or taxes, since the receiving country is required "not to discriminate between states". In this sense, the dean has the role of representing the entire diplomatic corps for matters that affect the corps as a whole, although this function is rarely formalized.
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps (United States)
According to articles 13 and 16, Roble OlhayeRoble Olhaye
Roble Olhaye is the Permanent Representative to the United Nations for the Republic of Djibouti. He has been Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Ambassador of Djibouti to the United States since 1988. In 1989, Olhaye was appointed as non-resident Ambassador to Canada. He is married...
, Ambassador of Djibouti
Djibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
to the United States since 1988, serves as the dean of the diplomatic corps.