Permanent representative to the United Nations

Apermanent representative to the United Nations(sometimes called a "UN ambassador")is the head of a country'sdiplomatic missionto theUnited Nations.

Of these, the most high-profile UNpermanent representativesare those assigned toheadquartersinNew York City.However, member states also appoint permanent representatives to the otherUN offices in Geneva,Vienna,andNairobi.

Many countries, including the United States, call their UN permanent representative "UN ambassadors". Although a permanent representative holds the equivalentdiplomatic rankof anambassador(orchief of missionorhigh commissioner), they are accredited to an international organisation, and not to ahead of state(as a nation's ambassador would be) or to ahead of government(as a high commissioner would be).

Representatives to UN councils

Some diplomats are representatives to UN councils, such as theEconomic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Goodwill ambassadors

Main article:Goodwill ambassador

UNESCOhas permanent delegates heading the diplomatic missions to the organisation, rather than permanent representatives. However, there are alsoUNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors,such as many celebrities who act as UNESCO goodwill ambassadors for a particular thematic area.UNHCRhas similarUNHCR Goodwill Ambassadors.

A UN permanent representative is sometimes called an ambassador to the UN, or rarely, a UN permanent ambassador, to distinguish the position from being a UNESCO goodwill ambassador. However, again, the term "ambassador"is more commonly used to describe each of nation's government officials who are assigned to handle some affairs with another nation.

See also

• List of current permanent representatives to the United Nations
• Member states of the United Nations
• United Nations Security Council