Israel’s Ami Orkaby Reelected to Global Consular Leadership

In a significant diplomatic milestone, Israeli legal and consular leader Ami H. Orkaby has been reelected to the Executive Board of the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC), marking his second term on the prestigious nine-member global body. The election took place on October 31 during the FICAC General Assembly in Marrakesh, with over 200 consulates participating some from nations that do not have formal diplomatic ties with Israel.

Orkaby, who serves as Chairman and Dean of the Consular Corps in Israel, and is Honorary Consul General of South Korea and Mongolia, was praised for his statesmanship and steady leadership amid a complex international environment. “Despite the difficulties we’ve encountered, we’ve shown that FICAC is above politics,” Orkaby said following his reelection. “When the time came, they chose the right people to promote FICAC’s work around the world.”

His reelection underscores Israel’s growing influence in global diplomacy, particularly in forums where personal relationships, trust-building, and pragmatic cooperation transcend formal politics.

During the Assembly, Orkaby addressed the future of diplomacy in the age of artificial intelligence, emphasizing that while digital tools can streamline administrative tasks, the essence of diplomacy remains rooted in human connection. “Face-to-face negotiations, the art of reading between the lines this is something no algorithm can replace,” he said.

Orkaby, a partner at Meitar Law Offices in Tel Aviv, sees his renewed mandate as a chance to advance people-to-people diplomacy, build economic bridges, and continue promoting the Abraham Accords on a broader global stage. He affirmed that the role of consuls is not just about protocol and paperwork but about fostering innovation, cooperation, and mutual understanding between nations and peoples.

Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Brussels, FICAC connects consular representatives from over 90 countries, working to uphold international standards under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and recognized with Special Consultative Status at the United Nations ECOSOC. It plays a pivotal role in strengthening diplomatic professionalism and contributing to global humanitarian efforts.

Orkaby’s reappointment is not only a personal achievement but a powerful endorsement of Israel’s role on the international diplomatic stage, even in the face of ongoing political challenges.

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