FICAC is an International Non-Profit Association (aisbl) established in Belgium by a Royal Decree; was founded in Copenhagen on 2 October 1982 by a small group of visionaries, representing 7 countries (Denmark, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Norway, and Sweden). This body gave Consuls of the world a much-needed forum to share experiences and coordinate efforts to enhance their status and effectiveness and to bring together Consular Associations and Corps from all around the globe.

FICAC has spread widely and rapidly: since 1982, 100 Consular Corps and Associations from all around the world have joined FICAC.

FICAC was recognized as an NGO with the United Nations in 1993, initially with ROSTER ECOSOC status upgraded in August 2018 to SPECIAL ECOSOC Status. It is also recognized as an NGO by the Organization of American States (OAS) and by the European Union (EU).

On 17^th September 2010, the World Federation of Consuls signed a partnership agreement with the Prince Albert II Foundation of Monaco to work in the fields of environment and climate change. Several MoUs were also signed with International Organizations such as: ASCAME – Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce -, RASIT – The Royal Academy of Science International Trust-, INTERLEGAL – Global Legal Network -, PAM – Parliamentary Union of the Mediterranean et al.

Agreements have also been signed with more than 20 Universities around the world to collaborate in the  fields of diplomacy and peace and conflict resolution studies, such as IHU in Greece – International Hellenic University -Bahçesehir and Nişantaşı Universities in Turkey, the University of Dubrovnik in Croatia, the University of Environmental and Sustainable Development in Accra, Ghana, the Asociacion de Universidades de Honduras (ANUPRIH), The Universidad Tecnológica de Honduras (UTH), the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, the National University of the Philippines, Vasar University of Izmir, Turkey, Nazarbayev Astana University of Astana, Kazakhstan, American College of Thessaloniki, Greece (ACT Diploma) and Libera Universita Mediterranea (LUM) in Bari, Italy.

A minimum of 2 Regional Conferences are organized every year and the World Congress of Consuls, during which the General Assembly elects the President, Vice-President and 9 Board Members, is held every three years.

FICAC is now truly a global network of Consular Corps and Associations, serving to support and improve the status, legitimacy and effectiveness of all Consular Corps in all sending and receiving States. Its motto is: “BRIDGING THE WORLD”.

The highest distinction of the World Federation of Consuls, the FICAC Gold Star, is awarded to incumbent Heads of State. Among the recipients are:

* The Most Honourable P.J. Patterson, Governor General of Jamaica

* H.E. Abdullah Gul, President of the Republic of Turkey

* H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco

* H.E. John Kufuor, President of Ghana

* H.E. Herman van Rompuy, President of European Council

* H.E. Benigno Simeon Aquino III, President of the Philippines

* H.H. Pope Benedict XVI

* H.E. Tomislav Nikolic, President of the Republic of Serbia

* H.A.H. Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch

* H.E. Danilo Medina Sanchez, President of the Dominican Republic

* H.E. Borut Pahor, President of the Republic of Slovenia

* H.E. Rt. Hon’ble President Ms. Bidhya Devi Bhandari, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

* H.H. Pope Francis

* H.E. Nicos Anastasiades, President of Cyprus

* H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo – Addo, President of Ghana