Sixth Committee (Legal) — 80th session
Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country (Agenda item 160)
- Authority: resolution 79/130
- List of speakers
Documentations
- A/80/26 — Report of the Host Country Committee
- A/C.6/80/L.13 — Draft resolution
Summary of work
Background (source: A/80/100)
At its twenty-sixth session, the General Assembly established the Committee on Relations with the Host Country and decided to include the item entitled “Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country” in the provisional agenda of its twenty-seventh session (resolution 2819 (XXVI)).
At its seventy-ninth session, the Assembly requested the Committee to continue its work in conformity with resolution 2819 (XXVI) and, in that framework, to continue to consider additional appropriate measures to enhance the work of the Committee and its effectiveness and to make recommendations in its report to the Assembly at its eightieth session (resolution 79/130).
Consideration at the eightieth session
The Sixth Committee considered the item at its 35th and 38th meetings, on 7 and 21 November 2025 (see A/C.6/80/SR.35 and 38). The Chair of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country introduced the report of the Committee (A/80/26).
Statements were made by the representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran (on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement), the European Union (also on behalf of its Member States (the candidate countries Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Armenia aligned themselves with the statement)), the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations), Norway (on behalf of Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden)), the observer of the Observer State of Palestine, and the representatives of South Africa, China, Colombia, Singapore, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Cuba, Sudan, Eritrea, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, and the United States of America.
The conclusions and recommendations formulated by the Committee were endorsed, with some delegations noting the important role of the Committee in handling a variety of matters on relations with the host country.
It was emphasized by several delegations that ensuring the full observance of the privileges and immunities of diplomatic personnel remained essential for guaranteeing the equal and effective participation of all Member States in the work of the United Nations, thereby allowing the UN to fully and efficiently discharge its responsibilities and fulfil its purposes. The necessity to preserve multilateralism and safeguard the integrity of the relevant body of international law, particularly the UN Charter, the Headquarters Agreement between the United Nations and the Host Country, the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations was underlined. It was stressed that the provisions of the Headquarters Agreement must be applicable irrespective of the bilateral relations between the Governments and the Host Country and that political considerations should not interfere with the provision of facilities required under the Headquarters Agreement for the Member States to participate in the United Nations activities.
The challenges and complexities faced by the host country and host country’s commitment to engage on all matters related to its status as Host Country and to uphold its obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement was recognized.
Concern was voiced over the remaining travel and movement restrictions imposed by the Host Country on representatives of certain Member States and personnel of certain missions and staff members of the Secretariat of certain nationalities. The Host Country was called upon to take all necessary measures to remove all remaining travel restrictions without delay. A concern was also raised about the secondary screening procedure imposed by the Host Country against representatives of certain Member States.
Concern was also expressed in relation to the non-issuance, delayed issuance or revocation of entry visas, and the issuance of single-entry visas to representatives of certain Member States, which in some cases may have affected participation in the work of the United Nations . Other difficulties experienced by some permanent missions in obtaining visas, as well as matters related to the permanent mission premises, the privacy of diplomatic personnel, and access to banking services were also noted.
The existing restrictions were considered by some delegations as politically motivated, arbitrary and discriminatory in nature and in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Headquarter Agreements and international law. A call was made to treat the outstanding issues, in particular visa-related ones, be addressed promptly without selectivity.
The increased active engagement of the Legal Counsel, as well as that of the Secretary-General himself, with the authorities of the Host Country and concerned Permanent Missions was welcomed. The Secretary-General was called upon to ensure that the Host Country strictly and fully complied with the provisions of the Headquarters Agreement and to consider and take any appropriate steps under section 21 of the Headquarters Agreement. It was also noted that engagement continued to be the best way forward to try to resolve issues raised by delegations.
Archived videos and summaries of plenary meetings
35th meeting (7 November 2025, 10:00am – 1:00pm) | Summary
38th meeting (21 November 2025, 10:30am – 1:00pm) | Summary
Action taken by the Sixth Committee
At the 38th meeting, on 21 November, the representative of Cyprus, also on behalf of the sponsors, introduced a draft resolution entitled “Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country” (A/C.6/80/L.13).
At the same meeting, the Committee adopted draft resolution A/C.6/80/L.13 without a vote.
The representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran spoke in explanation of position after the adoption of the draft resolution.
Under the draft resolution, the General Assembly would, inter alia, strongly urge the host country to remove all travel restrictions imposed by it against representatives of certain Member States and personnel of certain missions and staff members of the Secretariat of certain nationalities. The Assembly would also express serious concern regarding multiple cases of denial, non-issuance and late issuance of entry visas, in particular to delegates participating in high-level events, including the non-issuance of a visa to a President and a number of high-ranking officials and other representatives for the general debate of the eightieth session of the General Assembly. The Assembly would reiterate its request to the Secretary-General to give the most serious consideration and take any appropriate steps under section 21 of the Headquarters Agreement and intensify efforts to expedite resolution of issues that remained unresolved.
Subsequent action taken by the General Assembly
- Report of the Sixth Committee: A/80/462
- GA resolution: 80/172
This agenda item will be considered at the eighty-first session (2026).
