FICAC (World Federation of Consuls)

FICAC, the World Federation of Consuls, was founded in Copenhagen on October 2nd, 1982. Countries present at the meeting and first signatories were Finland, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Its role is to bring together Consular Associations or Corps from all over the world and to share experience, and co-ordinate efforts to enhance the status and effectiveness of the Consul, the oldest institution serving International bilateral relations. FICAC is a global network of Consular Associations created to support and improve the status, legitimacy and effectiveness of all consular officers in all receiving States. Its aims are to promote and strengthen mutual understanding between Honorary Consuls and Career Consuls worldwide; develop a framework and basis for exchange of current information, ideas and suggestions regarding matters related to the office of Honorary Consuls and Career Consuls; promote at national level and international for a better understanding of duties and responsibilities. The World Federation of Consuls has United Nations recognition with ECOSOC Special Status and it is also recognized by the European Union which, in 2012, held an European Council-FICAC Forum in Brussels. After the first meeting in 1982, the Federation held two more meetings in Copenhagen to draw up a working Constitution, called Copenhagen Statutes, and give shape to the world body. Since then, General Assemblies have been held every three years. The First General Assembly, later also called World Congress of Consuls, was held in Vienna in 1988. It was attended by 132 Honorary Consuls from 21 countries. Monaco in 1992, Limassol - Cyprus in 1995, Eilat Israel in 1998, Curacao in 2000, Athens - Greece in 2003, Montego Bay - Jamaica in 2006, Izmir - Turkey in 2009, Monaco in 2012, Istanbul – Turkey in 2015 and Brussels – Belgium in 2018.