The Secretary General of the United Nations, His Excellency Ban Ki-moon issued a message marking the occasion.

I welcome the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which opened for signature on 24 April 1963. Effective consular relations make an important contribution to the promotion of harmony and cooperation among states.

The convention provides clarity regarding the functions, privileges and immunities of consulates and consular officials. In article 36, which creates consular notification and access obligations in the event of detention of foreign nationals, the convention took the useful step of largely codifying customary international law....More...

UN Secretary General pleased that today 175 states are party to the Vienna Convention

New York
24th April 2013:

50 years ago on 24th April 1963, the United Nations Conference on Consular Relations adopted the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and outlined the structure of relations between Consuls and independent nations. The World Federation of Consuls is governed by the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, comprising of 79 articles providing guidelines for operation of Consuls in host nations.

The World Federation of Consuls on 24th April 2013 celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Vienna Convention and congratulated the United Nations on its development. The reception was held at 821 United Nations Plaza, New York, and FICAC was represented by President Hon. Arnold Foote and Mrs. Foote, Secretary General Hon. Aykut Eken and Hon. Mrs. Gonul Eken. It was attended by 75 country representatives including President of UN General Assembly H.E. Vuk Jeremic, Ambassadors, Permanent Representatives of the various countries to United Nations, President of the Consular Corps New York and more than 50 Consular representatives....More...

The President of the General Assembly of the United Nations H.E. Vuk Jeremic' Honoured

Above from left: Hon. S. Kadarisman (Indonesia); Hon. Rajko Maric (Serbia); Hon. Aykut Eken, FICAC Secretary General; Mr. Vuk Jeremic', President of the UN General Assembly; The Honourable Arnold Foote, FICAC President; Hon. Thomas Amaral Neves, FICAC Director; Hon. Costas Lefkaritis, FICAC Vice President; and Hon. Leif-Kristian Sverstad, FICAC Director.

At a meeting held on 17th April, 2013, at the United Nations in New York, with the President of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Mr. Vuk Jeremic', The Honourable Arnold Foote, President of the World Federation of Consuls, and members of the Board of Directors discussed FICAC's participation in United Nations activities.

The Honourable Arnold Foote thanked Mr. Jeremic' for his continued support of FICAC and presented him with the FICAC Medal of Distinction.....More...

FICAC President The Honourable Arnold Foote Congratulates the United Nations at Reception to Mark the 50th Anniversary of the Vienna Convention

The Honourable Arnold Foote, President of FICAC speaking at the Reception to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963, held recently in New York.

50 years ago today, on 24th April 1963, the United Nations Conference on Consular Relations adopted and opened for signature, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the Optional Protocol concerning acquisition of nationality and the Optional Protocol concerning the compulsory settlement of disputes.

The World Federation of Consuls takes this opportunity to congratulate the United Nations and its member states on the attainment by the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of its Golden Jubilee......More...

FICAC Directors Meet with the President of the Borough of Brooklyn

In picture, Borough President Marty Markowitz stands on the steps of Borough Hall with Honorary Consuls from around the world after receiving the FICAC Award of Distinction from FICAC President, The Honorable Arnold Foote. Others in picture are (back row, from left) Consul General of Jamaica to New York, Mr. Herman Lamont; Secretary General of FICAC, Hon. Aykut Eken; FICAC Vice President, Hon. Costa Lefkaritis; Consul General Hon. Otunba Lawal; FICAC Director, Hon. Leif-Kristian Sverstad; Dean of the Consular Corps of Serbia, Hon. Rajko Maric; (front row, from left) Consul General Hon. S. Kadarisman and FICAC Director, Hon. Thomas Amaral Neves.

The President of the Borough of Brooklyn, Mr. Marty Markowitz, was honoured by the World Federation of Consuls at his office on Thursday, April 18, 2013. Mr. Markowitz was honoured for his special assistance give to the Federation in 2009. Mr. Markowitz is very popular with the Turkish and Caribbean residents in Brooklyn, New York.

FICAC Directors and special guests were welcomed to Borough Hall in Brooklyn by Borough President, Marty Markowitz.

In his address, Borough President Markowitz said, "Brooklyn is the proud home to everyone from everywhere," said Mr. Markowitz. "We are honoured to host this distinguished group of representatives from across the world, and to discuss issues that are not only important to Brooklynites but to the entire world community. In Brooklyn, in our diversity we find strength, and we have proudly embraced an expanding role on the international stage."......More...

WCC MONACO 2012 THE BEST EVER!

WCC MONACO 2012 THE BEST EVER!
FICAC thanks HSH Prince Albert II

Above, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II (left) is seen receiving a gift of appreciation from the Honourable Arnold Foote, President of FICAC. World Congress of Consuls 2012 was held under the distinguished patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II.

I salute the hard work done by FICAC
- HSH Prince Albert II

His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco.

It gives me great pleasure to be with you tonight for the 10^th World Congress of Consuls being held in Monaco during this 30^th World Federation of Consul (FICAC) anniversary's year.

Let me thank its president, Mr Arnold Foote, and all executive committee members to have chosen - again - my country to gather on this specific occasion. (I do remember having opened your third Conference here in Monaco in November 1992.)

My gratitude also goes to Mr El-Solh and the ACHM Organising Committee and the chairman, Mr. Takis Touliatos, for their commitment and valuable support in the preparation of this event. I know that their tireless efforts made this meeting a huge success...More...

Minister of State His Excellency Michel Roger declares WCC 2012 open

His Excellency Michel Roger, Minister of State of Monaco (right), is greeted by the Honourable Arnold Foote, president of the World Federation of Consuls.

His Excellency, Michel Roger, Minister of State of Monaco, in his address said; All great initiatives start with a shared vision that inspires small groups of men and women who wish to work for the common good.

Thus, 30 years ago, a group of seven visionary people met in Denmark and decided to create the FICAC. Allow me to offer my special thoughts today for one of the founders of your outstanding organisation, the late Mr. Vagn Jaspersen, who, as Consul General, represented the Principality of Monaco in Denmark for more than 47 years, and who sadly passed away last year...More...

Pope Benedict XVI receives FICAC Gold Star and Citation
The FICAC Gold Star is the highest honour of the World Federation of Consuls given only to distinguished world leaders.

The Honourable Arnold Foote, President of FICAC.

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI receives President of the World Federation of Consuls, Honourable Arnold Foote OJ. Looking on is Secretary General of FICAC Hon. Aykut Eken. Also in picture is security personnel holding the framed FICAC Gold Star and citation which was presented to His Holiness on behalf of all the members of the World Federation of Consuls by it's President Arnold Foote and Secretary General Hon. Aykut Eken.

"Your Holiness, we, the representatives of the World Federation of Consuls, bring with us for you the love and the care of our entire membership from 92 countries in every region of the world", Foote told the Pontiff. After the presentation to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, Foote said, "As a Jamaican Catholic I bring you the greetings of the Church and the people of Jamaica".

It is our duty to contribute towards a peaceful world - Moustapha El-Solh
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Today's event will be part of international consular history - Moustapha El-Solh
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FICAC President lauds Monaco's assistance to developing countries
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Welcome to FICAC World Congress 2012 - Arnold Foote
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President's Report - WCC 2012: The Federation is becoming a strong source of influence worldwide
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HSH Prince Albert II welcomes FICAC delegates
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Welcome Message - Hon. Arnold Foote, FICAC President
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10^th World Congress of Consuls, Welcome Message - M. Moustapha El-Solh, ACHM President
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Chairman Organizing Committee, Hon. Takis Touliatos, address to ACHM
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US Congressman Dan Burton praises the international work of the World Federation of Consuls
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