Who is included in the diplomatic and consular community in New York City?
How do foreign governments request meetings with New York City agencies?
What is diplomatic immunity?
Do parking laws apply to the diplomatic and consular community?
Do City safety codes and regulations apply to foreign governments?
Do City safety codes and regulations apply to the United Nations?
Do taxes and fees apply to foreign governments?
What is consular notification and how is it provided?
Can the Office help with real estate transactions involving foreign governments?
How does New York City work with cities around the world?
Who is included in the diplomatic and consular community in New York City?
The diplomatic and consular community in New York City consists of 193 Permanent Missions to the United Nations, 114 consulates, and 75 trade commissions.
A Permanent Mission to the United Nations, established after a country has been approved by the Security Council and admitted to the United Nations by the General Assembly, is located in New York City. It is headed by an ambassador, who is that country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
A consulate is established by a foreign government to serve that country’s interests and citizens on a local level and reports to its embassy in Washington D.C. Consular duties include issuing visas and other legal documents. Consulates also promote trade between the home country and the host country. Some trade commissions are also consular offices.
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How do foreign governments request meetings with New York City agencies?
All requests by foreign governments for meetings in New York City with City agencies are arranged by the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs. These requests originate from consulates, Permanent Missions to the UN, embassies, trade offices, directly from foreign cities or national governments, or through the U.S. Department of State.
Despite the high volume of inquiries from nearly every country, the Office facilitates and accommodates as many requests as possible and often attends these meetings. The Office evaluates requests based on: relevancy of subject matter; benefit of proposed meeting to the City and its policies; and availability of City resources.
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What is diplomatic immunity?
Diplomatic immunity is a system that protects all diplomats, including American diplomats, in every country. It is governed by international treaties as well as other agreements among governments and international organizations. International privileges and immunities vary widely depending on the precise title of a representative, the country or organization represented, and the immediate circumstances. Contrary to popular belief, diplomatic immunity does not offer immunity from criminal and civil jurisdiction uniformly to employees of foreign missions and consulates.
The Mayor’s Office for International Affairs works regularly with foreign governments and officials, as well as the U.S. State Department, on issues of privileges and immunities. The Office is available to help all parties affected by these matters. In most situations, it is possible to quickly determine and explain the ramifications of immunity.
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Do parking laws apply to the diplomatic and consular community?
Yes. In 2002, an historic agreement was reached between the City of New York and the U.S. Department of State establishing the Diplomatic and Consular Parking Programs. The goal was to ensure public safety, regulate traffic, enforce traffic laws, and facilitate the ability of diplomatic and consular officers to conduct official business. The Office, along with the State Department, administers the programs. The Office issues parking decals annually and assists diplomatic and consular offices with parking issues throughout the year.
City of New York/U.S. Department of State Diplomatic and Consular Parking Program Agreement (in PDF)
Service Vehicle Decal Request Form (in PDF)
Delivery Vehicle Decal Request Form (in PDF)
Parking Violation Response Form for Diplomatic and Consular Personnel (in PDF)
Application for Appeal for Diplomatic and Consular Personnel (in PDF)
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Do City safety codes and regulations apply to foreign governments?
Yes. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations both require that foreign governments, which establish offices in host cities such as New York, respect local laws and regulations. The Mayor’s Office for International Affairs serves as a liaison between the foreign government community and the various City agencies, which oversee and enforce code compliance throughout New York City. To achieve this goal, the City works closely with foreign governments, along with relevant City agencies, on a variety of issues.
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Do City safety codes and regulations apply to the United Nations?
Yes. The treaty that governs the United Nations’ Headquarters’ presence in New York states that local law shall apply unless there is a UN regulation to the contrary, and that appropriate U.S. authorities retain the right to reasonably apply fire protection regulations. In 2007, the City conducted a broad series of safety inspections at the UN, resulting in voluntary adherence to some safety codes. FDNY, NYPD, and EMS may only enter the United Nations Headquarters with the United Nations’ permission, even in an emergency.
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Do taxes and fees apply to foreign governments?
Tax issues vary among jurisdictions. Taxation of foreign governments and officials is governed by international treaties as well as federal, state, and local law. Foreign governments may be exempt from some – but not all – taxes. Government fees are not usually affected by diplomatic or consular immunity.
With respect to real estate taxes and information on New York City property tax exemptions, please consult the NYC Department of Finance website. Click here for the Exemption from Real Estate Taxation for Property Owned by Foreign Governments Application.
The Mayor’s Office for International Affairs can provide foreign governments with information about taxation issues within New York City related to international privileges and immunities.
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What is consular notification and how is it provided?
Consular notification, as defined by the Vienna Convention for Consular Relations, is the act of informing a foreign government in the event of a foreign national’s injury, death, detention, arrest, and necessary custody of a minor or guardianship proceedings. The Office works with relevant City agencies regarding the requirements of consular notification. This notification ensures that foreign governments can extend appropriate consular services to their nationals who are traveling or living abroad.
As soon as a mass fatality incident occurs, foreign consulates contact the City about the nationalities of victims. In such cases, the Office acts as liaison between foreign governments and emergency response agencies and oversees consular notification.
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Can the Office help with real estate transactions involving foreign governments?
Yes. The Office can assist all involved parties with a variety of real estate questions that arise due to the unique nature of property transactions involving foreign governments, international organizations, and their representatives, as well as the complexities of the City’s real estate market.
The Office can help foreign governments, diplomats, and consular employees by providing information, mediating disputes, offering references, and directing officials to other sources of help. Landlords, co-op boards, and condominium managers can receive assistance from the Office including mediation, legal information and explanation with respect to how a tenant’s diplomatic status may affect a real estate transaction. The Office also helps local businesses and residents when foreign governments act as commercial and residential landlords. Please call the Office for assistance.
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How does New York City work with cities around the world?
Through the innovative initiatives of New York City Global Partners, Inc., a not-for-profit organization located in the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, the City reaches out and responds to foreign cities. During the administration of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Global Partners connected New York City to more than 100 cities in other countries. These cities have engaged with NYC around sharing best practices, participating in summits on important topics, and an international student internet exchange.
Global Partners has convened international summits on public integrity (2012), business development (2011), K-12 education reform (2010), workforce development (2009), the nexus of public health and climate change (2008), governing diverse cities (2007), public art (2005), transforming government through technology (2004), security (2003), and international tourism (2003). In addition, it operates Global Partners Junior, the web-based education program, connecting New York City middle school children to their peers in cities around the world using digital media. NYC Global Partners’ best practices resource bank, the Innovation Exchange, features more than 120 reports from New York City and 30 international cities. To learn more, visit www.nyc.gov/globalpartners.
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