Definition

Noun: 1. A diplomat who temporarily leads a diplomatic mission in the absence of the ambassador. A charge d'affaires is the official who assumes the duties and responsibilities of the head of a diplomatic mission, such as an embassy, when the ambassador is away, has left the post, or has not yet been appointed.

Usage

• The term is used in formal diplomatic contexts to designate the acting head of mission.
• It is often part of the official title "Charge d'Affaires ad interim" or "Charge d'Affaires a.i.", meaning "in the meantime" or "temporarily."
• It can also refer to the head of a diplomatic mission of lower rank than an embassy, such as a legation.

Examples

• Noun:
  • With the ambassador recalled for consultations, the charge d'affaires will handle the day-to-day operations of the embassy.
  • The meeting was attended by the Charge d'Affaires ad interim of the French mission.
  • He served as charge d'affaires at the legation for over a year before a new ambassador was accredited.

Advanced Usage

• "Charge d'Affaires ad interim (a.i.)": This is the full formal title for a diplomat temporarily in charge. The "ad interim" specifies the temporary nature of the assignment.
• "Charge d'Affaires en pied" or "Charge d'Affaires with permanent character": A less common rank, this refers to a diplomat who is the permanent head of a mission to a country where for various reasons no ambassador is exchanged. This is a mission of lower rank than an embassy.

Variants and Related Words

• Diplomat (n): A person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization.
• Ambassador (n): The highest-ranking diplomat who is the official representative of their head of state in another country.
• Envoy (n): A diplomatic agent, generally of a rank below an ambassador.

Synonyms

• Acting ambassador
• Interim head of mission
• Diplomatic stand-in

Notes on Usage

• The term is originally French and is often used in its original form in English diplomatic language. The plural is charges d'affaires.
• It is sometimes abbreviated in writing as C.D. or Cda.

Noun

1. the official temporarily in charge of a diplomatic mission in the absence of the ambassador