5 Things to Know about the Diplomats of the French Mission [fr]

They represent France abroad

The French Mission represents France at the United Nations in New York. The Mission’s role is to follow the work of the UN, in order to report on it to French authorities and to advocate France’s positions. The Mission’s diplomats ensure that these positions are taken into account in negotiations, including through coordination with European partners.

They are experts in negotiation

Diplomats of the French Mission engage in long negotiations with their counterparts in order to reach agreements that satisfy all parties, while defending France’s interests. This exercise requires a lot of patience, dedication and endurance.

They passed the Quai d’Orsay examination

To become a diplomat at the French Mission, one must pass the very selective Quai d’Orsay examination to join the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a senior official. There are different recruitment processes that give access to different professions: Foreign Affairs advisors or Foreign Affairs secretaries.

They move to a different geographic area every three years

The Mission’s diplomats have a particular interest in foreign countries and cultures. Throughout their careers, they spend time living and working around the world. All of them started with a three-year position in Paris. Afterwards, every three years, they move to a new position and a different geographical area (with an option to extend their stay by one year).

Diplomats, but not only

The French Mission’s team is composed of 80 people but only 60 of them are diplomats. The Mission also recruits local contractors, VIAs (International Volunteering in French Administrations) and interns. In addition, the Mission includes an economic department in charge of assisting French companies in responding to UN tenders, and a military department that ensures communication between the military division of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and French military authorities.