Diplomatic Etiquette
2nd session
Diplomatic Code of Conduct
Presented by:
Yadav Khanal
Resource Person
Institute of Foreign Affairs
Diplomatic Code of Conduct
Objectives:
 Code of Conduct is introduced to ensure more systematic and
dignified conduct of Government's official’s during meetings,
contacts, negotiations, communications etc.
with
 foreign governments /officials
 international organizations,
 their representatives
 and other officials
consistent with
 diplomatic norms
 international practices
Diplomatic Code of Conduct contd.
2 Code
.
is applicable to:
• Person holding public office:
• Everyone exercising public authority or responsibility
• Nepalese missions abroad:
• Nepal based Foreign Missions
 International organizations
 International Non-Governmental Organization
 Foreign Diplomats
 Administrative and Technical Staff of the Missions
 Local Staff belonged to Nepalese or foreign missions
Diplomatic Code of Conduct Contd.
3. Observance of the Code of Conduct:
This Code of Conduct shall apply to
persons holding public office and
officials drawing remunerations and
perks from the State Treasury. It is the
duty of all concerned to observe this code
of conduct.
Diplomatic Code of Conduct Contd.
4. Courtesy calls,
•
•
•
•
•
official talks and meetings:
MOFA representative to be invited during the meetings
between Nepalese authorities and Foreign dignitaries
MOFA representative to prepare the record of talks.
In the absence of MOFA representative, the concerned
agency should prepare the record of talks and share with
MOFA.
Summary of report of meetings held by MOFA officials
should be sent to the Office of the Prime Ministers and
Council of Ministers.
Nepal Government's ministers, officials of the
constitutional bodies or other senior officials should give
prior information to the MOFA while receiving foreign
diplomats and other officials for courtesy or farewell calls,
formal talks and meetings. Summary report of the talks
and discussions should be made available to the PMO and
MOFA.
Diplomatic Code of Conduct Contd.
• Such meetings should be held with the foreign
officials of the appropriate rank.
• MOFA and Nepalese missions abroad should
arrange for such meetings upon advance request
from the concerned agencies. The official
concerned should seek the advice of MOFA on
background information and matters to be raised
during such talks and it is the duty of MOFA to
provide necessary suggestion to that effect.
• Nepalese Honorary Consuls General or Consuls
should inform MOFA and concerned missions
about matters relating to Nepal and Nepalese
citizens.
•
Diplomatic Code of Conduct Contd.
6. Agreements, Commitments and Diplomatic
Correspondence
• While concluding agreements or understandings of any kind
with foreign government or regional or international
organizations, Prior approval should be taken and MOFA's
participation to be ensured. Commitments made must be
communicated to the MOFA as soon as possible.
• Annual progress report of the performance of the Nepalese
diplomatic officials and representatives abroad should be
prepared and submitted by MOFA to PMO within 3 months of
the next fiscal year.
• Concurrence of MOFA shall have to be obtained before inviting
foreign government counterparts to visit Nepal.
• Correspondence done on behalf of the Government of Nepal
with foreign missions and governments as well as international
and regional organizations must be sent through MOFA or
Nepalese Missions abroad.
Diplomatic Code of Conduct Contd.
7. Foreign visits, Representations, Presentations and Reporting:
• Any address, speech, remarks or statements to be made by Nepalese
delegations abroad must be consistent with the policies of the GON.
MOFA's opinion should be sought in respect of the policy position.
• Concurrence of MOFA must be obtained before submitting proposals to
the Cabinet on matters requiring MOFA to issue credentials.
• Correspondence on such visits should routed through MOFA.
• Every Nepalese delegation led by an official of or above the gazetted special
class visiting abroad on official business must, as far as possible, include
representatives from the Nepalese missions concerned and the MOFA as
necessary.
• Persons holding public office must use the kind of passport as specified in
the Passport the and the Passport Rules while visiting abroad on official
business.
Diplomatic Code of Conduct, Contd.
8. Language and Dress Code:
• National dress or formal attire/or decent dress
should be worn in formal ceremonies and other
occasions.
• All personnel working at MOFA and Nepalese missions
abroad should behave with courtesy and wear
suitable and decent attire.
• Courteous and decent language should be used
during contacts and communications with the
foreigners. In case English language interpreter is
needed, MOFA may be approached
Diplomatic Code of Conduct
Contd.
9. Conduct of Diplomatic Functionaries or
those holding such responsibilities
• Diplomatic
functionaries should conduct in
accordance with international standards/ and
internally accepted diplomatic norms, values and
practices.
• No abuse of diplomatic privileges and immunities.
• Heads of Nepalese diplomatic missions or their spouses
or diplomatic officials should not hold any position of
benefit or engage in business activities.
• Diplomatic bag should not be used for private
purpose.
Diplomatic Code of Conduct Contd.
10. Other Diplomatic Norms
 No statement or materials issued which is detrimental to the
existing relations of Nepal with friendly countries.
 No charging of any fee or money to Nepalese or foreign nationals
except provided by the existing laws. Record of income and
expenditure of funds should be maintained in a transparent manner
and their statements to be sent to MOFA regularly.
 Prior approval of MOFA should be obtained while creating and
maintaining welfare funds in the Missions abroad for the rescue of
Nepalese workers, and their statements to be maintained in a
transparent manner.
 The receipt of any salary, allowance, insurance or blood money
payable to the Nepalese workers abroad or their legal heirs should be
sent through MOFA and the MOFA shall arrange to handover the
money to the persons concerned.
 MOFA to submit an annual report of compliance of this Code of
Conduct to the Council of Ministers.
Diplomatic Code of Conduct, Contd.
11. Prohibited Acts (Don'ts) for individual holding public offices
and those drawing remuneration from the national treasury:
• Sharing of confidential and sensitive information to foreigners
• Leak of information
• Issuance of public notice on conduct of foreign relations except by
•
•
•
•
•
authorized person
Acceptance of gifts, donation, grant, loan, remuneration or any special
favor from foreigners
Be a partner or an associate in the establishment, registration or
management of any foreign company or organization.
Accept any full or part time outside job supported and endorsed by
foreign missions or diplomats
sharing of personal information such as marital status, age and so on.
seek personal invitation or financial assistance from any foreign
missions or international organizations or NGOS.
Diplomatic Code of Conduct Contd.
• Make unauthorized correspondence or contact/ commitment or
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
representation with foreigners or foreign organizations/missions
Make false claim of official status and authority with
foreigners/diplomats
Accept invitations or deliver speech not relevant to one's own duty and
responsibility.
Abuse of authority to mete special favour to any foreign diplomats
correspond with foreign organizations or countries not recognized by
GON.
Establish undignified contacts with foreigners
Accept any foreign decoration, medal etc without prior approval of
GON.
Use of foreign diplomats or agencies to put undue pressure on GON
officials for personal benefits.
Oppose prevailing laws and official policies of the GON.
Enter into the chancery or residential premises of foreign diplomatic
missions based in Nepal except for formal programs.
Diplomatic Code of Conduct Contd.
12. Monitoring Committee
 High Level Monitoring Committee headed by Foreign
Minister
 Standing Monitoring Committee headed by Foreign
Secretary
 Monitoring Committees can hold meetings as and
when necessary
Diplomatic Code of Conduct, Contd.
13. Miscellaneous
 Officials of the Rank of Special Class or above from
the Office of Prime Minister’s Office may inspect the
work of the Nepalese Missions abroad.
 Written report may be submitted to the immediate
supervisors as and when such inspections take place.
Thank You !