Many governments, including those of LDS and SIDS, are increasingly reliant on honorary consuls to serve key functions to support state-state engagement, as well as citizen support (such as repatriation efforts and crisis intervention), and foreign direct investment. However, until now no comprehensive training programme to provide Honorary Consuls with the necessary knowledge and skills has existed.

To remedy this gap UNITAR has developed two training programmes focused on international diplomatic law for honorary consuls that will provide participants with a full range of skills and understanding related to the post of Honorary Consul. Both programmes include insights into the obligations, privileges, and immunities of honorary consuls under international law as well as several practical skills necessary to effectively fulfil their duties:

• Executive Diploma on International Law for Honorary Consuls
• Diplomatic Law and Responsibilities for Honorary Consuls (short course)

Both programmes will be launched through a virtual forum on 30th June at 11 am CET. The contribution of relevant stakeholders during the virtual forum will contribute to the progressive development of the training materials and encourage a stronger and more effective honorary consul corps through training and capacity development.

UNITAR has developed these programmes in cooperation with Professor J. Craig Barker (Dean of the School of Law and Social Sciences at London South Bank University) and Richard H.Griffiths, Esq (Senior Advisor at Dentons Global Law Firm).