Members of the Nevada Consular Corps and the Consular Chamber of Commerce enjoyed a splendid evening of cocktails and sumptuous hors d’oeuvre at the home of Bruce Alverson in Las Vegas.  The law firm of Alverson, Taylor, Mortensen  Sanders hosted the event in honor of consuls serving Las Vegas.

Steve Schorr, Vice-President of Cox Communications, served as a member of the Host Committee, along with Count Guido R. Deiro and City of Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen.  Mr. Schorr welcomed the honored guests, many of whom he has known for many years.  Consuls present included representatives of Belize, Brazil, Chile, Finland, Poland, Sweden, France, Uzbekistan, Estonia, Ireland and Monaco.

Consular Chamber of Commerce Global Chief of Protocol Baroness J. Kathleen von Schaefer read a letter of congratulations from United States Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, addressed to his old law partner, Mr. Alverson.  The letter described the importance of consular representation in Nevada and the world, setting the stage for what appears to be the first of an annual event.

Photography by Adam Silversmith Photography

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So who is Consul Andrew G. Szabo?

Andrew Szabo in coastal Mauritania

Andrew G. Szabo left his native Hungary in 1987 at the age of 18 to attend college in America. While in college he launched a phone matchmaking service. In 1996 he spent the most amount ever on a single domain name by purchasing Date.com for $50,000. A few years later Date.com was the third largest dating site on the internet. He launched and sold several online marketing and entertainment companies and junior mining companies. His mining ventures took him to West Africa where he was touched by the beauty and kindness of the African continent. He decided to enter the trans-Sahara Dakar Rally, but realized that the strict racing requirements and the high-speed dash through Africa took away the magic of adventure and discovery.

 Not finding a decent alternative to the Dakar, in 2005 he created a gentler, kinder and more humanitarian car race to explore Africa. In 2005 the Budapest To Bamako Rally was born. For his work to promote travel, tourism and commerce to West Africa the Republic Of Mali appointed Mr. Szabo to be their Honorary Consul to Hungary. The 2005 run of the Budapest-Bamako had 100 participants. Four years later, the race hosting 600 participants from five continents became the largest amateur rally in the world and the most influential charity rally in Africa. In 2010 the Budapest-Bamako had more cars than Dakar.

Participants deliver 600,000 to 1 million dollars  worth of aid to West Africa each year. Mr. Szabo currently spends his time in Los Angeles, Budapest and Bissau with his wife and three daughters. He’s actively organizing next year’s rally to Bamako and working on his next internet venture. For his work in Guinea-Bissau, this small West African nation has recently bestowed the prestigious traveling ambassador to North America title to him. Mr. Szabo is also a founder of the Budapest Holocaust Museum and plays badminton for Guinea-Bissau’s Macabbi Badminton Team.

Consul Szabo will give a brief talk followed by a 90-minute Travel Channel documentary of the Budapest to Bamako Rally.  The audience will then adjourn to a nearby restaurant for a private dinner with the speaker.  See www.dinewithdignitaries.com for details.

Paulina Biggs Sparkuhl, Honorary Consul of Chile in Las Vegas, co-Founder of the Consular Chamber of Commerce and North American Director of the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC), was among twelve consuls invited to the Vatican on May 11, 2011.  Consul Biggs Sparkuhl was accompanied by Consular Chamber co-Founder Jonathan Warren, Honorary Consul of the Principality of Monaco in Las Vegas.

Pope Benedict XVI is awarded the FICAC Gold Star. His Holiness is pictured with FICAC President Hon. Arnold Foote, Jr. and FICAC Secretary Hon. Aykut Eken

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI received the FICAC Gold Star, which has been awarded by FICAC only to distinguished world leaders.  The framed presentation will hang in the Vatican Museum, which FICAC President Hon. Arnold Foote, Jr. said “will always serve as a reminder of the highest recognition ever received by the World Federation of Consuls.”

Other invited consul members of the FICAC Board of Directors flew to the event their homes in Thailand, Cyprus, Turkey, Jamaica, Monaco, Greece, Philippines, India and Brazil.

FICAC is a global federation of consular organizations.  A United Nations-recognized NGO, the group has served to preserve and maintain the honorary consul as the oldest form of bilateral diplomacy, and promotes adherence to the Vienna Conventions on Consular Relations.

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 Second FICAC event under High Patronage of HSH Prince Albert II in Monaco.

The tenth World Congress of Consuls, a triennial event of the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC), will be held in the Principality of Monaco in 2012.  The 2009 Congress was held in Izmir, Turkey. 

A federation of consular corps organizations from around the world, FICAC is a United Nations-recognized NGO which has furthered the ancient practice of bilateral diplomacy through honorary consulates since 1982.

The Principality of Monaco beat out the Consular Corps of Nevada in the final round decision in favor of the Consular Corps of Monaco.  FICAC’s North American Director is Paulina Biggs Sparkuhl, Honorary Consul of Chile in Las Vegas, a founder of the Consular Chamber of Commerce.

Secretary of State Clinton sends best wishes to FICAC

At FICAC 2009 Monte Carlo Conference: Paulina Biggs Spakuhl, Honorary Consul of Chile

“I am disappointed that Las Vegas will miss out on such a large and distinguished group of visitors, but I am excited to return to Monaco,” said Consul Biggs Sparkuhl, “The Honorary Consular Corps of Monaco is large, cosmoplitan and welcoming.  I congratulate our Monaco colleagues, and look forward to the event.”

FICAC directors P. Touliatos, Honorary Consul General of Greece in Monaco and P. Biggs Sparkuhl, Honorary Consul of Chile in Las Vegas attend Monaco National Day opera event with J. Warren, Honorary Consul of Monaco in Las Vegas

“When Monaco opens her arms to the world, and the invitation extends all the way from the Palace itself, it is tough for any other location to compete,” said Jonathan Warren, Honorary Consul of Monaco in Las Vegas, ”Las Vegas may have been a bit slow on the draw.  [Consul Biggs Sparkuhl's] proposal lacked support from the City or State government, and the Nevada [Consular] Corps responded by passing new membership rules excluding out-of-state consuls accredited here, after also voting not to associate with FICAC’s largest US membership organization.

“I’m sorry my hometown will miss out,” Warren continues, “but I am thrilled that the Principality has been chosen.  This will be my second World Congress [of Consuls].  I wouldn’t miss it.”

Consul General Furlong and Former Soviet Spokesman Vladimir Posner

One FICAC member, Gary Furlong, is the Honorary Consul General of Uzbekistan for the western United States, including Las Vegas.  His consulate is based in Seattle. 

“It’s too bad,”  said Furlong, “Las Vegas could have been a great venue, and it would have been such a pleasure to have so many consuls to introduce to the City, from all over the planet,” he continued, “But Monaco and it’s [Consular] Corps work hard to form inclusive relationships to attract prestigious international events.   The global focus of Monaco’s Consular Corps is well known and respected.  They follow the highest professional standards, including strict adherence to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and other globally accepted protocols and treaties.  

“The strong support of the Government for an effective, professionally run Corps makes Monaco tough competition for anyone.  It is a credit to the Las Vegas members of the Consular Chamber of Commerce that Las Vegas made the final round for such a prestigious program.”

Ed Prud’Homme Prudhomme, Gayle Anderson, Chief of Diplomatic Protocol, governor sandoval, David Henley, Lia Roberts

Ambassador Nemotov presents Consul Warren with traditional Uzbek jacket

On the Occasion of the March 11 Spring Gala of the Prevent Cancer Foundation titled “The Enchanting Principality of Monaco,” members of the Consular Chamber of Commerce and the Consular Corps of Nevada made visits to four Washington, D.C. embassies.

Lunch at the Embassy of Uzbekistan

In addition to the Gala, participants enjoyed a private dinner at the home of the Ambassador of Monaco, a private luncheon at the Metropolitan Club hosted by the Principality of Monaco, a private lunch with the Ambassador of Uzbekistan arranged by Consul General Gary Furlong at the spectacular Uzbek embassy, coffee with the Consul General of Austria at the Austrian Embassy, and meeting with the Cultural Attaché and First Secretary at the Embassy of Chile.

Among the topics of discussion were tourism, international business and expansion of the consular corps and of the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC). 

Felix Danciu and Kim Schmidt with Ambassador Noghes of Monaco

FICAC North America Director Paulina Biggs Sparkuhl

FICAC is a global network of consular associations created to support and improve the status, legitimacy and effectiveness of all consular officers in all receiving States.  Now a  Brussels-based NGO, the organization has United Nations recognition and ECOSOC Observer Status.

In North America, the only membership organization is the Consular Chamber of Commerce.  Consuls within North America wishing to join FICAC may do so by joining the Consular Chamber of Commerce (free of charge), and asking for FICAC membership.  An annual charge of $50. will apply for the FICAC membership dues only.

The FICAC Board of Directors includes Consular Chamber co-founder Paulina Biggs Sparkuhl, Honorary Consul of Chile in Las Vegas. 

FICAC takes an active role in pursuing adherence to the Vienna Conventions on Consular Relations in all treaty jurisdictions around the world.  The Organization also promotes charitable and cultural events globally.

• FICAC News
• FICAC Events 

The FICAC South Asia Regional Conference will take place in New Delhi February 15-17, 2011.

Mexico has been chosen to host the FICAC World Congress of Consuls in 2012.

Dr. Aldo Aguirre, President of the Consular Chamber of Commerce and Honorary Vice-consul of Guatemala in Nevada, is one of two Las Vegas-area latino members named to the 29-member team.  He is also it’s only Consular officer.

“It is an honor to be in the distinguished company of those chosen by Governor-Elect Sandoval, and to assist with  transitioning the new Administration into office,”  Dr. Aguirre said.

By invitation of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, Co-Founders of the Consular Chamber of Commerce Jonathan Warren (Honorary Consul of the Principality of Monaco in Las Vegas) and Paulina Biggs Sparkuhl (Honorary Consul of the Republic of Chile in Las Vegas) were whisked away on three-day so festivities in Monaco. 

The events began with a cocktail at the Palace HSH Prince Albert II, HRH The Princess of Hanover and HRH Princess Stephanie of Monaco.  The couple also had the pleasure to meet Miss Charlene Wittstock, Fiancé of the Prince.  The event included approximately 150 consuls, ambassadors and members of Monaco’s Parliament.   The following two days included a night at the Opera, the famous Mass at the Cathedral, National Day parade and plenty of nightlife.

Following the celebrations of the Monaco’s National Day, the Principality took the opportunity to intoduce its latest initiatives to the Consuar and Diplomatic Corps.

From Alexander the Great, to Genghis Khan, to the Soviet Union, to independence, Uzbekistan’s challenges and opportunities are legendary.

A former Ambassador to both Russia and to India, His Excellency is now Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States.

Much of the Mojave Desert environment resembles a great deal of Uzbekistan, a country the size and population of California.  While in Las Vegas, the Consular Chamber arranged for the Ambassador to speak at the World Affairs Council October luncheon on October 26, as well as tours of cutting edge power and water facilities, and a meeting with Consular Chamber organizers of the Global PURE Water Expo.  Meetings with Southern Nevada Water Authority General Manager Patricia Mulroy and Mayor Oscar Goodman have also been arranged.

On the evening of October 26th, the Ambassador and Mrs. Nematova will be the Guests of Honor at Dine with Dignitaries, a Consular Chamber tradition.  Twenty-two participants will join the Ambassador and his wife for a spectacular dinner prepared by renowned Las Vegas chef Andre Roché, at Alizé, at the top of the Palms hotel in Las Vegas.  Dine with Dignitaries allows for candid, off-the-record conversation with no speeches, no agenda, no press and no podium.  Business discussion is encouraged.  Reservations may be made online.

My dear friend Kartar Bhalla, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Nauru in India and invaluable member of the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC), always has a way with words.  Chile thanks you, Honorable Consul Bhalla, and all of our friends around the world.

Honourable friend Paulina,

Church  bells must have tolled, sirens must have  blared and millions in the world must have had  smiles on their faces as miner Florencio Avalos resurfaced after 69 days of living underground, winched up in a rescue capsule, and like clockwork, all the  remaining miners – 32 -  followed. TV and Internet audiences across the globe must have  remained glued, witnessing a human drama that surpassed anything the world had known in the recent past. What had the potential to turn into a tragic story became a moment of pride for Chile.

A cave-in on August 5 had left the miners trapped in a small copper-and-gold mine. The tremendous effort of the Chilean government, led by President Sebastian Pinera and Mining Minister Laurence Golborne, has been fruitful, first in locating the miners and then in coordinating an international rescue effort, which led to recovering them from the jaws of death. Contact with the outside world, established 17 days after the cave-in, too had a vital role to play in boosting their morale as well as providing them with material and emotional support.

Dr. Mirza Baig, Honorary Consul General of Yemen in Pakistan and Director of Pak Denim, a major manufacturer and exporter of textiles, has received the FPCCI Export Award in Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in Karachi.  

Consul Baig’s firm has been Pakistan’s largest exporter of denim fabric for twelve consecutive years.  

Consuls Biggs Sparkuhl, Baig, Warren and Dimata at FICAC Monte Carlo conference, 2009

 In addition to running Pak Denim and several other companies in various countries, Dr. Baig sits on the prestigious Board of Directors of the World Federation of Consuls, a UN-recognized, Brussels-based NGO working to further the effectiveness of the honorary consul.  The 25 member board also includes  Consular Chamber of Commerce co-founder Paulina Biggs Sparkuhl.

The legendary 3-day event begins with a cocktail reception at the Palace, followed the next day by a traditional Mass at the Cathedral, and later the white-tie gala at the Grimaldi Forum.

Established by a Consul of Genoa centuries ago, the tiny Principality is one of the oldest and most successful examples of the power of diplomacy.   As North American Director of FICAC, Consul Biggs Sparkuhl has developed valued alliances with consuls in Monaco, and is looking forward to seeing all these friends on this auspicious occasion.

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18 Nov. 2009, Izmir, Turkey–/ Paulina Biggs Sparkuhl, Honorary Consul of Chile in Las Vegas has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Brussels-based Federation Internationale des Corps et Associations Consulaires (FICAC),  known in English as the World Federation of Consuls.

FICAC is a United Nations-recognized NGO, formed in Copenhagen in 1982.  The Organization  is a global network of Consular Associations created to support and improve the status, legitimacy and effectiveness of all consular officers in all receiving States.  FICAC has over 3000 consul members on every continent, and is often credited with interpreting and promoting global adherence to the Vienna Conventions on Consular Relations.

Receiving the FICAC Medal of Honor, Bangkok, November 2007

Consul Biggs Sparkuhl is native of Chile and 25-year resident of Las Vegas.  She was appointed Honorary Consul of Chile by President Lagos in 2002, and is founder and Chairperson of the Consular Chamber of Commerce.  Involved with FICAC since 2005,  she has participated in FICAC board meetings, conferences, and the organization’s signature event, the World Congress of Consuls, in Mexico, Jamaica, Belgium, Thailand, Ghana, Monaco and Cyprus.  The organization just completed its latest World Congress of Consuls in Izmir, Turkey.

Awards Ceremony, FICAC Conference in Monte Carlo, February, 2009.

Consul Biggs Sparkuhl has served as the North American Membership Chairperson of FICAC since 2008, and has expanded membership to include Seattle, Washington; Denver, Colorado and her home of Las Vegas, Nevada.  In 2007 she was awarded the FICAC Medal of Honor by President Arnold Foote at the World Congress of Consuls in Bangkok Thailand.

“It has been an absolute pleasure participating with FICAC, and later

With President Foote and the Kings of Elmina, Ghana, October, 2008

serving FICAC in North America as Membership Chair.  I am overwhelmed with excitement at the opportunities presented by being a member of the Board of Directors.  It is such an honor to be the first Board member residing in the United States, and the only one who wears a skirt!  Hosting the US Seat in Las Vegas also opens many doors. 

“I find myself in extraordinary company of great and distinguished friends, from all over the world, whom I have come to hold so dear.  I thank President Foote and all of the members of the Board of Directors, and the membership of FICAC, for having the faith in my abilities to elevate me to this position and peerage.  I am humbled, and ready to engage!”

- Paulina Biggs Sparkuhl, Honorary Consul of Chile