November 2011, Geneva, Switzerland – UNITAR’s Multilateral Diplomacy Programme (MDP) completed a two-day workshop on Diplomatic Protocol from 3–4 November 2011. The training brought together members of Permanent Missions accredited to the United Nations Office at Geneva, delegates of Ministries of Foreign Affairs and other government officials as well as international civil servants, representatives of international, intergovernmental, and non-governmental organizations. The workshop helped the participants strengthen the skills required to function in an international, diplomatic role.

Geneva is one of the most active centers of multilateral diplomacy in the world, and plays host to about 23,000 yearly meetings attended by more than 150,000 delegates. The workshop aimed to provide participants with an overview of Geneva’s unique multilateral mandate, an understanding of the three layers of protocol that are relevant to their daily work in Geneva, a briefing on the procedures for welcoming Heads of States and other high ranking personalities at the airport of Geneva and a concrete understanding of UNOG’s Guidelines on Diplomatic Courtesy.

This training was part of the UNITAR’s Core Diplomatic Training, short and intensive activities offered mainly to diplomats based at United Nations Headquarters and Offices, as well as host cities of regional commissions.