Working Group on EIA and SEA (Espoo Convention), 10th meeting

Registration is open and all participants need to register online by 10 September 2021, using the following link: https://indico.un.org/event/34758/ .

•      Step 1: Create an account in Indico (tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeZuft5xQ4U) Once you have created your account, you can register for the event.

•      Step 2: Register for the meeting in Indico (tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaEj3hShn6U) Please indicate whether you intend to participate remotely or in-person.

  Participation in the meeting is subject to the approval of the registration by the Secretariat.

Travel restriction due to COVID-19 situation

Travel restrictions put in place to address the spread of the coronavirus are subject to change, and we recommend to confirm directly with Swiss authorities for the most current information (please visit the website of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health).

Please visit the Swiss Government Travel Check Website to verify which entry requirements apply to your entry to Switzerland: https://travelcheck.admin.ch/home.

Please do not make travel arrangements before your participation is approved.

Obtaining a visa

Participants requiring entry visas to Switzerland should initiate visa procedures at least five weeks before the meeting. The Secretariat will provide participants with an invitation letter, which should be used to apply for a visa at the nearest consular office of Switzerland. For requesting visa letters, please contact the Secretariat as early as possible (focal Point: Ms. Maricar Dela Cruz, [email protected] ).

Accommodations in Geneva

There are many hotel options nearby the Palais des Nations, and we advise delegates to book their accommodation in Geneva as soon as possible. We do not make hotel reservations for participants. Please find a list of hotels offering preferential rates here

Getting to Palais des Nations

Enter the Palais des Nations through the Visitor's entrance at Pregny Gate, on avenue de la Paix, in front of the International Committee of the Red Cross building.

Public transport:

Transports Publics Genevois

 Palais des Nations transit stops are Appia and Nations.

 Access from Cornavin railway station:

- Bus lines : 8, F, V, Z (“Appia” stop)
- Tramway 15 (“Nations” stop), then a 5 minutes’ walk to Pregny Gate

 Access from Cointrin airport:
- Bus lines: 28 (“Appia” stop) or 5 (“Nations” stop) then a 5 minutes’ walk to Pregny Gate.

- Other bus lines with stop at “Nations”: 11 and 22.

A free ticket for Geneva public transportation (train & bus) is available for all arriving passengers and can be obtained at the baggage area of the International Airport (before exiting customs). The ticket is valid on any bus or train in Geneva for 80 minutes for all passengers carrying a valid plane ticket.

Taxis

 A taxi stand is located on Route de Pregny, approximately 25 meters from the Pregny Gate, in the direction of Place des Nations. Taxis are usually available around the clock. The direct telephone number is: +41 22 331 41 33.

Security Pass and Identification Office hours

In order to collect the accreditation badge and enter the Palais des Nations, please go to Palais des Nations - Pregny Gate and provide a copy of the registration confirmation (printed or on mobile device) and a valid ID (passport or ID card). Please allow approximately 40 minutes to obtain your UN Entrance Badge and reach the meeting room.

Pass and Identification Unit

Operating hours: Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Pregny Gate, Building F

8 - 14 avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10

Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 50 02
Fax: + 41 (0) 22 917 04 94
Email: [email protected]

Meeting room

The meeting will be held at the Palais des Nations (Avenue de la Paix 14, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland) in room "Tempus 2" (TPS 2) (Temporary infrastructure for conferences, located next to the flags by the Place des Nations entrance gate). First time access via Pregny Gate (subject to change – please check the website closer to the date of the meeting). A map of the Palais des Nations is available here: https://www.ungeneva.org/en/about/map

COVID-19 restrictions in the conference room

The number of participants will be limited in the conference room, ensuring 1.5m distance between participants. Participants are required to wear a mask in conference rooms and in all common areas e.g. meeting rooms, hallways, and shared facilities. Exception to mask wearing applies to the main speakers/ panellists at the event, while addressing the audience. Measures are subject to change.

Public WIFI

Public WIFI is available on the premise of the Palais des Nations.

Restaurants and Bars inside the Palais opening hours

Serpent Bar
E building Level 1
Open M-F / 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Pasta Corner
E building Level 1
Open M-F / 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Grab ‘N’ Go
H Building Level 1
Open M-F / 24 hours

Press Bar / Salon Suisse / Bar/Snack Palette / Cafeteria / Delegates Restaurant

Currently closed

Connection 

If you wish to participate virtually, please register using the registration link https://indico.un.org/event/34758/.

The connection details and further guidance on how to use the virtual platform will be shared a few days ahead of the meeting.

Online platform “INTERPREFY”: Guidance & instructions

To avoid/minimize technical problems during the meeting, please familiarize yourself with the below Interprefy user guidance ahead of the meeting and test your equipment.

Interprefy user guide:  ENG FRE RUS

Interprefy Connect Pro (Classroom): ENG

1.  You will need a PC/Mac connected to the Internet with a Google Chrome/Edge/Mozilla Firefox browser installed and a HEADSET with a microphone connected to it.
(Mobile phones/i-pads will NOT work. Please do NOT use your computer’s built in microphone)

2.   The Internet should be not less than 4-6 mbps up/down (you may check here http://interprefy.speedtestcustom.com /).

In case of any issues, please conduct the following test: https://interpret.world/test   

If you see in test results that your browser cannot get access to the audio device and the camera, please check the following guide: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2693767?hl=en

3.    Copy the meeting link that the secretariat will send you in your Chrome (or Firefox) browser

4.     Log in by entering first the name of YOUR COUNTRY_followed by your full name and press Submit. (Please do NOT check the “I am the host” box.) 
        Participants are strongly encouraged to log in at least 30 minutes before the start of each session for test calls.

5.     When logged in, in the pop-up window, please choose:   

        (a).  Your preferred interpretation language (English, French or Russian – To hear the floor language select “none”)

        (b).  The audio and video device that you will be using.

Technical requirements 

A strong and stable Internet connection, e.g. via Ethernet (LAN) cable, is necessary to attend the meeting remotely. Audio and video connections as well as any equipment should be tested in advance of the meeting, and a USB headset with microphone is strongly recommended.