Washington, DC is one of the world’s most important diplomatic centers. Approximately 185 countries have foreign missions in Washington, DC, and these missions are vital to the United States government in conducting diplomatic relations with international institutions, organizations, and states. In addition to their role in promoting peace and stability among nations, foreign missions also have a positive economic impact in the region due to their ability to attract visitors and generate country-to-country business opportunities. NCPC works closely with the U.S. Department of State to ensure foreign missions find suitable locations for their diplomatic missions, while remaining sensitive to the character and use of Washington’s neighborhoods.
Highlight: Foreign Missions Center
The FMC could host between 11 and 15 foreign missions with up to 2,000 employees in approximately one million square feet of development. In May 2019, the Commission approved the final master plan. In 2017, the U.S. Department of State and NCPC formalized a memorandum of agreement (MOA) regarding the process and criteria for reviewing future chancery development at the FMC. In October 2020 the MOA was amended to allow NCPC to review FMC chancery projects for consistency with the approved master plan.
Development of Foreign Missions
NCPC Review
The review of proposals to locate, expand, or replace a chancery in Washington, DC is divided between federal and local authorities, and the government entity with review authority is based on the underlying ownership of the land. NCPC reviews chancery proposals on federal land, and its review authority depends upon the location of the chancery in question. The International Center Act, as amended, establishes the review criteria by which NCPC must review chanceries proposed for the International Chancery Center, a chancery enclave located at Connecticut Avenue and Van Ness Street, NW. A Memorandum of Agreement, as amended, between NCPC and the U.S. Department of State establishes the review criteria to be applied at the Foreign Missions Center, a second chancery enclave located at the site of the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center.Foreign Missions Act
The Foreign Missions Act of 1982 establishes the review criteria for chancery proposals on private property in Washington, DC. The Foreign Missions Act creates a special review entity, known as the Foreign Missions Board of Zoning Adjustment (FMBZA), to conduct the review of chanceries on private property in accordance with criteria prescribed by the Foreign Missions Act. NCPC’s Executive Director serves as a member of the FMBZA. Below, read about the legislation and key guidance that NCPC uses to review foreign missions.
Foreign Missions Element
This element, adopted in 2016, contains policies to create a secure and welcoming environment for the location of diplomatic and international activities in Washington, DC while remaining sensitive to the character and use patterns of the city's neighborhoods.
Foreign Missions Legislation
Three documents describe NCPC’s role in reviewing the development of chanceries on federal land. They include the International Center Act, the Foreign Missions Act, and the Foreign Missions Center Agreement.
Definition of Terms
Foreign Mission
For NCPC’s purposes, a foreign mission refers to all people, facilities, and activities in support of a country carrying out its foreign policy in the United States (or as part of an international organization like the Organization of American States). The facilities that house these foreign mission functions are described in the terms below.
Embassy
An embassy includes all facilities that house diplomatic functions of the foreign mission of a country. Individually, these facilities are referred to differently depending upon their use. These uses include the Ambassador’s Residence, Chanceries, and Chancery Annexes.
Consulate
Each foreign country only has one embassy and one ambassador in the United States. Embassies are always located in the capital city, Washington, DC. Consulates are considered a branch of the embassy and are located in other American cities.
Chancery
A chancery is the principal office of a foreign mission used for diplomatic or related purposes. The term chancery can be used interchangeably with the term embassy.
Chancery Annex
Chancery annexes are facilities used for diplomatic purposes in support of the mission, such as cultural or military attachés, or consular operations.
Ambassador’s Residence
The official home of the ambassador or the chief of mission. The ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomat to the United States. Ambassador’s residences can be located in an embassy compound or separate from the chancery.
