CONVENTION ON SPECIAL MISSIONS

First, it should be defined as a special mission. These types of missions are temporary,
representative, sent by one State to another, with their consent, to deal with certain
matters, or to carry out a certain objective before them.

In 1960, based on the report by Mr. AEF Sandström (Special Rapporteur on the subject
of "Diplomatic relations and immunities"), although without the usual in-depth study, the
Commission approved and submitted to the General Assembly the draft of three articles
relating to special missions, and warned that the project should be considered "a
preliminary examination."

In its resolution 1504 (XV), of December 12, 1960, the General Assembly decided to
refer to the United Nations Conference on Diplomatic Relations and Immunities (the
Vienna Conference) for consideration with the draft articles on the permanent diplomatic
missions. At the Vienna Conference, the question of special missions was referred to a
Subcommittee established by the Committee of the Whole. Following the review, the
Vienna Conference adopted a resolution in which it recommended that the General
Assembly return the matter to the International Law Commission. Finally, pursuant to
resolution 2530 (XXIV), the General Assembly, on the recommendation of the Sixth
Committee, approved the Convention on Special Missions (also known as the New York
Convention) on December 8, 1969, together with a Protocol Optional on the mandatory
resolution of disputes and a resolution concerning civil litigation.

The convention entered into force on June 21, 1985. It is worth mentioning the
fundamental role of ad hoc diplomacy (oldest form of diplomacy) in special missions,
since ad hoc diplomacy is characterized by addressing international issues or issues that
by its specificity or duration, are not addressed by diplomatic missions. In April 2012, 50
states were members.

José Martín Pacheco