Chief of protocol explained

The Chief of Protocol (CoP) is a government official who heads the protocol department of a state, overseeing security, logistics and etiquette in diplomatic and national functions. A protocol department decides on diplomatic immunity and privileges, diplomatic host security, diplomatic use of airspace and it is the guardian of official etiquette. Advance protocol teams, usually headed by the Chief of Protocol, engage as first contact between governments for the planning of bilateral and multilateral summits and visits.

Countries with a chief of protocol include:

• Chief of Protocol of the United States, an official at the U.S. State Department who welcomes visiting dignitaries to the U.S. and travels with the President to facilitate foreign trips.
• Chief of Protocol of Canada, the head of the Office of Protocol at Global Affairs Canada. The chief is the most senior protocol officer for high-level international visits to Canada and outgoing state, official and working visits, as well as overall issues relating to entitlements and special status granted to foreign diplomats in Canada.^[1] As of 2019, the Chief of Protocol is Stewart Wheeler.^[2]
• Chief of Protocol of Fiji, an official at the Foreign Ministry who advises on issues related to protocol and deals with diplomatic missions and regional and international organizations. The official also administers accreditation of all diplomats in Fiji and other matters related to diplomacy and protocol.^{[3] [4]}
• Chief of Protocol of Bhutan (Dronyer), an official at the Foreign Affairs Ministry who receives and facilitates the visits of state guests and coordinates visits by guests from foreign missions and agencies.^[5]
• Chief of Protocol of Japan, an official at the Foreign Affairs Ministry.^[6]
• Chief of Protocol of Sri Lanka, the head of the Protocol Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The division is responsible for all matters related to diplomatic relations, such as affording courtesies, privileges and immunities to diplomatic missions and international organizations. It also facilitates logistical and protocol arrangements for visiting dignitaries and foreign trips by the president, prime minister, and foreign minister. It further issues visas for foreign diplomats.^[7]
• Chief of Protocol of Kenya, the head of the Protocol Directorate at the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The directorate coordinates protocol matters for efficient diplomatic engagement.^[8]
• Chief of Protocol of Germany, the head of Protocol at the Federal Foreign Office. The chief holds ambassadorial rank. The protocol office facilitates visits by foreign guests and foreign trips by the president, chancellor, and foreign minister. The office is split up in five divisions, each of which have different tasks.^[9]
• Chief of Protocol of Eswatini^[10]
• Chief of Protocol of Denmark^[11]
• Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs of South Korea^[12]
• Chief of Protocol of Malawi^[13]
• Chief of Protocol of Nepal^[14]
• Chief of Protocol of Australia^[15]
• Director of Protocol Affairs of Indonesia.^[16] He assists the Director-General for Protocol and Consular Affairs from the Foreign Ministry which by ex-officio serves as the State's Chief of Protocol (Indonesian: Kepala Protokol Negara shortened KPN).^[17]
• Chief of Protocol of Iraq^[18]
• Chief of Protocol of Israel^[19]
• Chief of Protocol of Uganda, also known as the Marshall of Diplomatic Corps^[20]
• State Protocol and Ceremonials of Ukraine.^[21]
• Chief of State Protocol of South Africa^[22]
• First Officer of the Royal Protocol of Saudi Arabia^[23]
• Chief of Diplomatic Protocol of Suriname, the head of the Diplomatic Protocol Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation. The division is responsible for all matters related to diplomatic relations, such as affording courtesies, privileges and immunities to diplomatic missions and international organizations. It also facilitates logistical and protocol arrangements for visiting dignitaries and foreign trips by the president, vice president and ministers. It further issues visas for foreign diplomats.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Office of Protocol of Canada. Global Affairs Canada-Affaires mondiales. Canada. October 30, 2007. GAC.
2. News: About the Chief of Protocol of Canada. Global Affairs Canada-Affaires mondiales. Canada. June 10, 2014. GAC.
3. Web site: Chief of Protocol. www.foreignaffairs.gov.fj.
4. Web site: Senior Officials. www.foreignaffairs.gov.fj.
5. Web site: Department of Protocol – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
6. Web site: List of Senior Officials ｜ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. www.mofa.go.jp.
7. Web site: Protocol Division. www.mfa.gov.lk.
8. Web site: Protocol. Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
9. Web site: Federal Foreign Office - Federal Foreign Office Protocol. Auswärtiges. Amt. German Federal Foreign Office.
10. Web site: PROTOCOL SECTION. www.gov.sz.
11. Web site: Protocol Department. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of. Denmark. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.
12. Web site: Organizational ChartMinistry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea. www.mofa.go.kr.
13. Web site: Protocol - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
14. Web site: Protocol Division - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal MOFA.
15. Web site: 1.7 The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
16. Web site: Directorate General of Protocol and Consular Affairs, Director for Protocol Affairs. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.
17. Web site: Peraturan pemerintah Republik Indonesia Nomor 39 tahun 2018 Tentang Pelaksanaan undang-undang nomor 9 tahun 2010 tetang keprotokolan . 2018-08-23 . Lembaran Negara Republik Indonesia . id . Government Ordinance No. 38 Year 2018 Concerning the Implementation of the Constitution No. 9 Year 2010 about Protocol Affairs . pdf . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210719112756/http://okp.uinjkt.ac.id/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PP-39-Th-2018-Keprotokolan.pdf . 2021-07-19 .
18. Web site: Chief of Protocol Meets with Omani Ambassador to Baghdad. June 26, 2019.
19. Web site: The Protocol and Official Guests Bureau . Government of Israel . 2021-11-17 . 2023-09-24 . en.
20. Web site: Protocol and Consular. www.mofa.go.ug.
21. Web site: Про Державний Протокол та Церемоніал України — Указ Президента України від 22.08.2002 № 746/2002 . uk.
22. Web site: About the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. 2022-02-12. www.dirco.gov.za.
23. Web site: Royal Protocol - Saudi Arabia National Portal. 2022-04-01. www.my.gov.sa.