The end of summer marks the busiest period of the year at United Nations Headquarters when members of the diplomatic community and Secretariat staff are bracing for the next session of the General Assembly. 

This year, a record number of delegates is expected to attend the high-level week, starting on 18 September. Thousands will require access to the UN premises and crowd control will be needed.

Critical to this are the colourful “access cards” and “meeting tickets” tucked inside the famous “goody bags” which, in the coming days, will be distributed by the Protocol and Liaison Service of the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management to more than 250 delegations of Member States and Observer Organizations. 

As world leaders are set to gather in New York for this year’s high-level period, managing delegate registration and access to meeting rooms are just some of what the Protocol and Liaison Service does behind the scenes.  

In the weeks leading up to the general debate, the protocol team is permanently on the move, often conducting walkthroughs with delegations who arrive in advance of their VVIPs.

The team thoroughly reviews all mission requests for grounds passes and updates the diplomatic Blue Book. 

The team skilfully prepares standing arrangements and seating charts for ceremonial events, luncheons, and photo-ops and meticulously steams piles of national flags for bilateral meetings.  

The Protocol and Liaison Service also maintains a list of Heads of State and Government and Ministers for Foreign Affairs of all Member States based on the information provided by the Permanent Missions. Known as the government list, it is critical for the speaking order at the general debate.

In addition, the team frequently provides guidance to event organizers. 

But the work does not come without challenges. Even the best-made plans often require last-minute changes. The team is therefore always on its toes and ready to prevent any possible mishaps.  

With the support of protocol specialists from other duty stations and volunteers from within the Secretariat, the team is committed to making it happen despite any challenges.

At the heart of it all, is a deep sense of commitment and shared responsibility felt by all Protocol and Liaison Service team members.  

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