Diplomatic corps

The diplomatic corps is not always given any formal recognition by its host country, but can be referenced by official orders of precedence.

In many countries, and especially in Africa, the heads and the foreign members of the country offices of major international organizations (United Nations agencies, the European Union, the International Committee of the Red Cross, agencies of the African Union, etc.)

In New Zealand, for example, the doyen takes precedence over figures such as the deputy prime minister and former governors-general.

[2] In many countries that have Catholicism as the official or dominant religion, the apostolic nuncio (the diplomatic representative of the Holy See) serves as doyen by virtue of his office, regardless of seniority;[3] in other cases, the nuncio is treated as an ordinary ambassador of the Holy See and has no special precedence.

[4] The diplomatic corps may also cooperate amongst themselves on a number of matters, including certain dealings with the host government.