You may download the practical information document in PDF format here.
85th session of the UNECE Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management
Geneva (Room XVII, E-building, Palais des Nations)
Wednesday, 2 October (10:00 a.m) – Friday, 4 October (18:00) 2024
Registration
To participate in the 85th session of the UNECE Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management, all participants are kindly requested to register online by 16 September 2024 through the following link: https://indico.un.org/event/1007251/. (In case you do not yet have an Indico account you will need to first create one before registering). In case of difficulties in registering, please email the team assistant Stephen Hatem ([email protected]).
The Committee session is preceded by the Forum of Mayors’ 4th meeting (Palais des Nations, Room XVII, 30 September-1 October 2024), which has a separate online registration link: https://indico.un.org/event/1007260/.
Arriving to Geneva
Delegates travelling by air will arrive at Geneva International Airport (Cointrin), and those travelling by train at Geneva main station (Cornavin).
If arriving in Geneva by air, you may obtain a free public transport ticket in the baggage reclaim area, just before the exit. The ticket is valid on any bus or train in Geneva for 80 minutes for all passengers carrying a valid plane ticket. Many hotels provide a free public transport pass valid for the duration of your stay. A route planner for public transport is available at https://www.tpg.ch/. (Taxis are also available directly outside the airport and station).
Hotel reservations and other arrangements should be made well in advance. The secretariat is unable to recommend hotels. To identify hotels with available rooms, you might try this website: https://www.geneve.com/en/.
Reaching the Palais des Nations
In Geneva, Unireso public transport tickets must be purchased prior to boarding a tram, bus, or ferry. Ticket machines are available at most stops. Travel cards or passes can be purchased at the main TPG centres (Rive, Cornavin, and Bachet de Pesay). Please note tickets are not available on the bus itself. Hotels, youth hostels, or campsites typically offer a Geneva Transport Card, which allows the use of public transport in Geneva free of charge during the period of stay.
Palais des Nations transit stops are “Appia” (Pregny Gate) and “Nations” (Peace Gate).
Access from Cornavin railway station:
- Bus lines 8, 20, 60 (“Appia” stop)
- Bus line 5 or tram line 15 (“Nations” stop)
Access from Cointrin airport
- Bus line 5 (“Nations” stop)
Other bus lines with a stop at “Nations”
Access the meeting venue
The Committee session will be held at Salle XVII in Building E. Access to the meeting venue will only be granted to registered participants upon presentation of a valid ID or passport and a digital badge. Please note that Palais des Nations issues digital badges to participants at Pregny Gate (14 Avenue de la Paix); the information note on digital badging should be observed in advance. Your digital badge and registration confirmation will be sent via email. If you do not receive the email, please check your spam folder. If your registration has been confirmed, you may also log in to the INDICO registration page for the meeting: https://indico.un.org/event/1007251/and click on "Get UN Event Pass" to obtain your digital badge. Please download the digital badge to your mobile phone or other mobile device. Arrive early to the gate to allow sufficient time for the security clearance.
Delegates are only allowed to enter the Palais with what is considered carry-on luggage (e.g. computer bags, rucksacks, and handbags). No luggage storage is available. Delegates remain responsible for their belongings at the Palais throughout their stay.
The map of the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG) with directions to Building E is available here and on the webpage https://www.ungeneva.org/en/about/practical-information/map.
Smoking is only permitted in authorized smoking shelters, clearly marked and signposted for that purpose. Their locations may be found on the campus map, here: https://iseek.un.org/article/reminder-about-unogs-smoking-policy.
Pregny and Peace Gates will be open for pedestrians on working days between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. (The Nations Gate is closed due to the construction of the future Visitors Center). Access to the Palais will not be possible outside of these hours.
Working languages
Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in English, French, and Russian during all plenary sessions.
Timing
UN meetings (plenary sessions) run from 10:00-13:00 hours and from 15:00-18:00 hours.
Meals
Participants are responsible for their own meals during the meeting. All options available at the Palais des Nations can be found at the following site: Palais Food Options | The United Nations Office at Geneva (ungeneva.org).
Please note that you can drink tap water at the Palais des Nations. As there will be no drinking water served in the meeting room, we encourage delegates to bring reusable bottles or containers for tap water.
About Geneva
Geneva is the second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous of the French-speaking Romandy. It is the capital of the Canton of Geneva and a centre for international diplomacy. Geneva hosts the highest number of international organizations in the world.
Time zone: UTC + 2 hours
Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)
Electrical power plugs and sockets are unique to Switzerland (type J, three-pin, 230 V, 50 Hz; i.e. different from the EU two-pin plug): though slim two-pin plugs (type C) will fit.
Kindly note that chargers will not be provided at the venue, please bring your personal charger and, as needed an adapter for the Swiss sockets, for your respective devices. Adapters can also be purchased at the S.A.F.I. Shop at Building S, level -1.
Internet access
Wifi access will be provided in the meeting room (no password required). During the breaks, delegates may use computers in the Library that provides also Internet access.
Contact the secretariat
For any questions or inquiries, kindly contact Ms. Tea Aulavuo, Secretary to the UNECE Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management at [email protected] with a copy to [email protected]. For any difficulties concerning registration via Indico, please contact the team assistant Stephen Hatem at [email protected]
For meeting documentation and information, please visit: https://unece.org/info/events/event/391140
More practical information is available at: https://www.ungeneva.org/en/about/practical-information.
