The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations was concluded at Vienna on 18 April 1961. The United Nations Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities met at the Neue Hofburg from 2 March to 14 April; the instrument is DONE at Vienna, not a procès-verbal of 14 April. It was open for signature until 31 October 1961 at the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Austria and thereafter until 31 March 1962 at United Nations Headquarters in New York (Art. 48). Authentic texts: Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish. Depositary: the Secretary-General of the United Nations. It is not the Optional Protocol on Compulsory Settlement of Disputes, nor that on Acquisition of Nationality, both of the same day.

The preamble recalls the UN Charter, sovereign equality, and that privileges are not for the benefit of individuals but to ensure the functions of the mission. Customary rules continue for questions not regulated. Article 2: diplomatic relations and permanent missions are established by mutual consent. Article 3 lists, as a principle, representation, protection of interests, negotiation, information by lawful means, and promotion of relations. Article 4 requires the receiving State’s agrément for the head of mission, with no duty to give reasons for refusal.

Articles 22 and 24 enshrine the inviolability of premises and archives. Article 29 concerns the person of the diplomatic agent. Article 31, immunity from jurisdiction, with the stated exceptions. Article 41 requires respect for the laws of the receiving State and non-interference in internal affairs. Mission, bag or premises-occupation regulations are not transcribed.

Article 9 permits a persona non grata declaration, without a duty to give reasons. Article 45: on a break in relations, premises, property and archives remain protected; custody may be entrusted to an accepted third State. Article 47 forbids discrimination, with restrictive reciprocity and more favourable treatment by custom or agreement.

Articles 49–50: ratification and accession, instruments with the Secretary-General. Article 51: entry into force on the thirtieth day after the twenty-second instrument; for the United Nations, 24 April 1964. UNTS vol. 500, p. 95. The register source is the UNTC page; the working text is the International Law Commission’s official PDF.

Cover: Neue Hofburg, Vienna, the conference venue; no claim is made to the ceremony. Wikimedia Commons, free licence.

Sources consulted: Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations; Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (United Nations).