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The demographics of Northern Ireland have been ever changing, increasing multiculturalism and diversity, parallel to social and economic regeneration, following the Belfast Agreement (1998), St. Andrew's Agreement (2006) and the return of Devolved Government on May 08, 2007.

To effectively deal with these changes, International, European and Good Relations, and the development of an all inclusive society, the Consular Corps/Association of Northern Ireland (CA-NI) was established.

NI map

About Us

CA-NI serves officials of diplomatic, consular or international organisation rank (career or honorary), appointed to Northern Ireland (or a jurisdiction which includes Northern Ireland), and accredited by the UK Department: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

CA-NI logo

All activity is conducted within the frameworks of VCDR, VCCR or VCLT.
Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
(VCDR).
Vienna Convention on Consular Relations
(VCCR).
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties between States and International Organizations or between International Organizations (VCLT).
EMBASSY

United Kingdom

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DIPLOMAT

Ireland

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Objectives

The objectives of CA-NI are to deal with matters affecting the diplomatic, consular and international organisations of the network in Northern Ireland; to provide means and opportunities for the mutual acquaintance, friendship and social intercourse between all members; and to enable them (inter-alias) to provide a platform for effective communication with each other and the host (receiving state) administration.

The Consular Corps/Association reflects a very broad range of experience and expertise to specifically benefit the communities of Northern Ireland. Its members are a vital resource that can be used effectively in the advancement of economic, social and cultural development, both at the local, regional and international levels.

Diplomatic List

Officials are either a citizen and member of their own country's diplomatic foreign service (career appointment) posted overseas by the sending state to its own government buildings (mission) in a receiving state or a local resident who volunteers (part-time) through an honorary appointment by a respective foreign government

Officials are appointed to further the interests of the country or international organisation they serve through commercial, educational, academic, sport and cultural activities. They provide formal representation and endeavour to assist and protect the interests of their nationals through consular services.


CA-NI's Executive (2023-2024)
President
Ms Martina McKenzie

Honorary Consul of Finland

Vice-President
Dr Federica Ferrieri

Honorary Consul of Italy

Secretariat
Mr Jose Lazaro

Honorary Vice-Consul of Spain

Treasurer
Mr Nick Lestas

Honorary Consul of Cyprus

4

Consulates General

1

Joint Secretary

0

International Organisation

33

Honorary Consulates

2003

CA-NI Established

37

Countries Represented

News

CA-NI Diplomatic Dinner 2022

Photographs credit: Anita Hoppe Photography in Banbridge.


View our Photo-Gallery

Read our News Articles below
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Lord and Lady Dunleath Host Consular Corps for Northern Ireland AGM. Read more...

CA-NI Diplomatic Dinner 2022. Read more...

Consular Corps briefed by Dutch Ambassador and Advice NI. 20 January 2020. Read more...

Consular Corps of Northern Ireland Diplomatic Charity Ball 2019. 24 October 2019. Read more...

Consular Corps briefing by Lord Lieutenant of Belfast and Life After Charity. 16 September 2019. Read more...

Diplomatic Ball. 31 July 2019. Read more...

Consular Corps of Northern Ireland Mourns Death of Duchess of Abercorn. 09 December 2018. Read more...

United Nations Day Celebrated in Northern Ireland. 18 October 2018. Read more...

Consular Briefing on BREXIT. 18 September 2018. Read more...

The Executive Office and European Economic and Social Committee briefs the Consular Corps. 18 May 2018. Read more...

Consul General for the Republic of Poland, Dariusz Adler dies. 18 March 2018. Read more...

Diplomats Gather in Belfast for First Diplomatic Dinner. 12 October 2017. Read more...

First Diplomatic Gala Dinner in Northern Ireland is announced. Read more...

TV Licensing Helping Non-English speakers in Northern Ireland with iPlayer Law Change. Read more...

NILGA Briefs Consular Association of Northern Ireland. Read more...

Consular Corps of Northern Ireland Hosts OFMdFM International Relations. Read more...

Consular Briefing with Justice Minister and PSNI. Read more...

CA-NI Statement on Racist Attacks. Read more...

Consular Corps of Northern Ireland Mourns Death of Lord Ballyedmond. Read more...

Consular Corps Hosts Arts Council of Northern Ireland and WPFG 2013 Officials. Read more...

Consular Corps NI Luncheon with Northern Ireland Prison Service. Read more...

Consular Corps Donates Books to HM Prison. Read more...

Consular Luncheon with North South Ministerial Council. Read more...

Consular Luncheon with Senior PSNI Officials. 23 May 2012. Read more...

Consular Association Commonwealth Gala. Read more...

Consular Association Dinner with European Commission and OFMdFM Officials. 14 June 2011. Read more...



What Consuls Do

Consuls are official foreign government representatives accredited by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in the United Kingdom with all activity defined through the international treaty - Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR). All United Nations' member countries are signatories to the VCCR. Chapter II defines missions/posts staffed by career diplomats and Chapter III by honorary officials.

Consular officials are either: members of a country's diplomatic foreign service or local residents appointed by a foreign government to perform consular activities. All consuls must formally be accredited by the FCDO to allow them to act in their official capacity.
CA-NI

Consuls have two primary duties:

(1) To officially develop economic, commercial, educational, cultural and scientific relations between the country they represent and the area in which they are posted. This involves promoting commerce - trade, technology and investment - both ways (Northern Ireland and the represented country). Consulates facilitate scientific, academic, education, cultural, business and professional exchanges. They make arrangements for official visits in both directions. Consulates are a unique source of information on the country they represent: economy, education, society, culture, and tourism.

(2) To safeguard the interests of the sending country and its citizens travelling or resident in their Consular area. This may include issuing passports, visas and other official documents, helping travellers in distress, signing birth, death and marriage certificates, legalising or delivering official documents, and assisting travellers who have trouble with law enforcement or immigration authorities. Some Consulates have considerable responsibility for maritime affairs, national flag registry and shipping.
Consular services
Consular functions may vary greatly from mission or post.
Each foreign government has different policies regarding the duties and responsibilities it assigns to each post.
The work of a mission or post depends on its location, the country's interests/needs and on local requirements (tourism vs. trade vs. promotion of culture vs. registration of shipping vs. assistance to citizens, etc.)
Nevertheless each Consulate post is an excellent place to begin all inquiries.
Relations with authorities
Consular officials establish contact on behalf of their governments with central and local authority officials within their consular district.
Stakeholders utilise Consulates as a convenient and direct link with foreign governments for purposes of trade, technology, investment and cultural exchange, and for other negotiations.
Although Consulates are primarily concerned with protecting the interests of the country they serve and assisting their own citizens, they can often be of considerable help to local authorities, and individuals, in the resolution of specific problems.
Consular Corps/Association of Northern Ireland (CA-NI)
It is a body without any legal standing as it cannot act collectively as each foreign government is sovereign, autonomous and must act for itself.
For convenience, CA-NI creates a central point for all officials to meet, exchange information and engage with key parties on general matters.


For more information please

Contact Us

CA-NI

Contact Us

CA-NI Secretariat

secretariat@ca-ni.org

ca-ni.org



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