The Protocol and Liaison Office prepares for the 66th Session of the General Assembly
By: iSeek/Cathy Smith
While some UN offices in New York enjoy quieter period in the summer, others are switching into high gear to prepare for the upcoming 66th session of the General Assembly. The Protocol and Liaison Office is one such office, and Desmond Parker,
Chief of Protocol, sat down recently with iSeek to talk about the work of his office.
"Every few weeks UNRIC shines the spotlight on forgotten stories or themes that are on the UN's agenda."
The Brussels based United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe - UNRIC provides information on UN activities to the countries of the region. It also provides liaison with institutions of the European Union in the field of information. Its outreach activities extend to all segments of society and joint campaigns, projects and events are organized with partners including the EU, governments, the media, NGOs, schools and local authorities.
United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC Brussels)
Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 155, Block C2,7th and 8th floor, Brussels 1040, Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 788 8484 / Fax: 32 2 788 8485
For the 66th session of the General Assembly, 193 states will gather to discuss questions within the UN mandate. In 1946 when the first UN General Assembly met in London, the member states only numbered 51. Over the years membership has grown, and this year South Sudan became the 193rd member of the United Nations and the General Assembly. The latest successful applications since then were those of Montenegro in 2006 and Switzerland and Timor-Leste in 2002. InFocus explains to you how states become a member of the UN, and how the General Assembly makes sure that membership is continued by recognised governments.
As the 65th session of the General Assembly is coming to an end, symbolized in part by the recent appointment of the Qatari diplomat 
When world leaders gather in New York at the General Assembly it is the responsibility of the Chief of Protocol to ensure that all goes according to plan.
