Sixth Committee, Agenda Item 160
Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country
United Nations, 7 November 2025
Mr. Chair,
It is my honor to address today the Sixth Committee in my capacity as Chair of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country and introduce this year’s Report of the Committee contained in document A/80/26, which the Committee adopted, by consensus, on 24 October.
The Report was prepared in accordance with General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/79/130) of 12 December 2024 and follows the structure of previous years. It is divided into four chapters:
- Chapter 1 provides a brief introduction.
- Chapter 2 elaborates on the membership, composition, terms of reference and organization of the work of the Committee.
- Chapter 3 summarizes the discussion on the topics dealt with by the Committee during the reporting period.
- Finally, Chapter 4 contains the recommendations and conclusions of the Committee.
The Report has, also, two annexes containing a list of topics for consideration by the Committee, and a list of documents issued as documents of the Committee during the reporting period.
Mr. Chair,
The Committee on Relations with the Host Country remains a vital and constructive forum through which Member States seek to resolve different problems arising in connection with the implementation of the 1947 Agreement between the United Nations and the United States of America regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations. It provides a space for an open and constructive exchange of views and cooperation of all concerned.
Since its establishment in 1971, the Committee has served as a transparent, flexible and inclusive body. Any interested delegation can participate in it as an observer. The Committee is the sole body in the United Nations system which is mandated to consider issues arising in connection with the implementation of the Headquarters agreement and then report thereon to the General Assembly and make recommendations to the Secretary General.
During the period under review, the Committee convened six meetings. It discussed issues regarding the implementation of the UN Headquarters Agreement (1947), as well as the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (1946) and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961). Among the recurrent and pressing issues raised were entry visas issued by the host country, travel restrictions, security of missions and safety of their personnel, transportation and banking issues.
The Committee will continue its efforts and will remain seized of the issues which are on its agenda, seeking solutions in a spirit of compromise and in full accordance with international law, and notably the interests of the Organization and the integrity of the Headquarters Agreement.
Mr. Chair,
The Report before us presents a comprehensive, accurate and factual description of the issues raised in the Committee and of the differing views expressed by the concerned Missions and by the host country on these issues, during the reporting period and how they should be resolved.
It captures the complexity of the issues, while maintaining a carefully balanced compromise of interests and concerns and providing solid foundation for our continued collective efforts.
I’m confident that the core issues raised by Members of the Host Country Committee and interested Observers have been thoughtfully addressed. In the view of the Committee, the Report represents the best possible outcome achievable in the present circumstances.
The observance of privileges and immunities and the maintenance of appropriate conditions for the normal functioning of the delegations and missions accredited to the UN are and will remain matters of highest priority for the Host Country Committee. In accordance with Section 12 of the UN Headquarters Agreement, these cannot be subject to any restriction arising from the bilateral relations of the host country.
Allow me to acknowledge the extensive work undertaken during the informal consultations for the preparation of Chapter 4 of this Report. These consultations were conducted by the facilitator on my behalf, in various formats for more than three weeks. In an additional effort to ensure that all views and concerns were heard and carefully considered, consultations were extended beyond the initial deadline and concluded three days before the Committee adopted its Report.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all members of the HCC and interested observers for their tireless efforts, their continued cooperation, constructiveness and flexibility. The facilitator made every effort to incorporate the substantive issues and concerns identified by delegations. Where proposals could not be reflected verbatim, the facilitator worked to capture the underlying concerns and interests in a manner that could command broader support.
Mr. Chair,
I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the Secretary-General and the Legal Counsel for their engagement with the Committee and for their efforts at various levels to address important issues before the Committee, particularly their ongoing bilateral engagement with senior officials of the host country.
I extend my thanks as well to the Members of the Committee, the Host Country Section of the United States Mission to the United Nations, the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, and all observer delegations who participated in the meetings of the Committee during this reporting period, for their support and excellent cooperation. My deep gratitude goes also to the Secretary of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country and to the UN Secretariat, in general, for their professionalism, continuous guidance and support throughout the year.
Looking ahead and consistent with the Recommendations and Conclusions of the Committee’s Report, I reaffirm my personal commitment to sustain close engagement with host country, affected Member States and with the Secretary General and the Legal Counsel, with a view to resolving all outstanding issues in line with the Headquarters Agreement and international law. The Committee will continue its work in a spirit of compromise and in full regard for the interests of the Organization.
I thank you for your attention.