Accessibility is about giving equal access to everyone. Without being able to access the facilities and services found in the community, persons with disabilities will never be fully included.
UN Geneva is committed to providing accessible and inclusive services, physical spaces, and information to persons with disabilities. Along with the physical environment, digital spaces must also be designed to be accessible by all. This website is part of our effort to promote web accessibility in the UN system.
Physical Environment and Services
ARRIVING AT PALAIS DES NATIONS
You will receive your access badge at the Pregny Gate where you must present your passport or national identification card and your e-mail notification with the QR code (or UN Event Pass) in order to receive accreditation to get a badge. At Pregny Gate, approach the door and show your documents to the Security Officer. You will be invited to undergo a light security check, and then you will proceed to the I.D. Help Desk to collect your badge. After you have received your badge, you will be able to enter the grounds of the Palais des Nations.
You may be accompanied at all times by a support person, as long as they have registered on Indico and have a national identification document and QR code with them.
Persons with disabilities are automatically granted priority access upon arrival to Pregny Gate. They are also given a map of the Palais which indicates accessible doors, elevators, and restrooms.
Participants of meetings can indicate in their Indico.UN registration form that they would need vehicle access (private cars, not taxis) due to reduced mobility. The meeting secretariat should inform the Security and Safety Service in advance to ensure that conference participants with reduced mobility can enter with their vehicle on the day of the meeting. Persons with disabilities are automatically granted priority access upon arrival at Pregny Gate. They are also given a map of the Palais which indicates accessible doors, elevators, and restrooms. If visitors choose to drive to the Palais, priority parking spaces for persons with disabilities have been allocated.
For current opening hours of the services available at the Palais des Nations please refer to services operating hours.
Pregny Gate – This gate is located uphill from most of the buildings. When you reach the Pregny Gate building, use the ramp on the left side to reach the exit gate. If you need assistance to exit, call Security on the intercom to open the gate. Please be aware that the gate will open towards you.
Nations Gate – this route is flat, but please be aware that accessible routes from the E-building may be affected by building renovation works.
PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY AND MOBILITY
UN Geneva is investing great efforts to improve physical accessibility to the Palais des Nations for persons with disabilities. Improved signage indicating accessible restrooms and elevators have been implemented throughout the premises.
Currently the Palais des Nations is undergoing renovation and accessibility is more limited.
Accessible Doors
Open access 8:00 a.m. - 7:00p.m.: Doors A11 I E40 I H60
Accessible Toilets
Door A11 | 3rd floor
Door E40 | 1st, 3rd and 6th floors
Priority parking
For persons with disabilities is available nearby the accessible doors.
ACCESSIBLE ROUTES FROM THE PREGNY GATE TO YOUR MEETING ROOM
- After entering through Pregny Gate, continue straight. Cross the yellow pedestrian path.
- When you reach the sign marker that reads ‘E39-E40’, turn left.
- Follow the path down the hill until you reach the ‘A17’ sign marker.
- Turn right to cross the length of the car park and enter through door A15.
- Take the lift to level 3 and turn right upon exit.
- Follow the hallway and enter your destination room on the right.
- Room IV is beyond the Delegates’ Lounge, round the corner and at the end of the corridor leading to the left.
- After entering through Pregny Gate, continue straight. Cross the yellow pedestrian path.
- When you reach the sign marker that reads ‘E39-E40’, turn left.
- Follow the path down the hill, towards the left, following a sign marker that reads ‘E39 Guided Tours’.
- Once you reach the outside of the E-building, proceed left and pass two revolving doors.
- Enter through the next door on the left, which will be an automatic sliding door. You are entering on level 2.
- Proceed forward to the E46 elevator near the escalators. Push the elevator button at the very bottom labelled ‘pour descendre’.
- Go down one level to level 1.
See a 360-degree panoramic view of Room 21 or a view of Room 22.
- After entering through Pregny Gate, continue straight. Cross the yellow pedestrian path.
- When you reach the sign marker that reads ‘E39-E40’, turn left.
- Follow the path down the hill, towards the left, following a sign marker that reads ‘E39 Guided Tours’.
- Once you reach the outside of the E-building, proceed left and pass two revolving doors.
- Enter through the next door on the left, which will be an automatic sliding door. You are entering on level 2.
- Proceed forward to the E46 elevator near the escalators. Push the elevator button at the very bottom labelled ‘pour descendre’.
- Go up one level to level 3.
The below guide produced by OHCHR focuses on access to Room XX (the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room). In addition, the guide provides general useful information on accessibility at the Palais des Nations and within the city of Geneva on pages 27-37.
Accessible Geneva
TRANSPORTS PUBLICS GENEVOIS
Public transport in Geneva is accessible. Buses are equipped with low floors and access ramps, and you can easily use them to reach the United Nations.
The nearest bus stop to the Peace Gate is Nations, located near the Broken Chair statue on the Place des Nations and the alleyway of flags. You can take a direct bus or tram to reach Nations on several different lines. This includes buses 5, 8, 11, 20, 22, and 60, as well as tram 15.
- More information on mobility
- Routes and timetables
- A smartphone application is also available for iOS and Android (download the “tpg” app). It contains a route planner that can help you select the right bus to take. You can also use this app to purchase tickets.
- Please note that you must purchase a ticket before boarding the bus. You can buy a ticket using the tpg app, or you can use the orange ticket vending machine at the bus stop. There is no way to purchase a ticket after you have boarded the bus.
TRAVEL TO AND WITHIN GENEVA
OHCHR has compiled a useful list of resources to make travel to and within Geneva easier.
Questions or Comments?
CONTACT US
Please share your questions and feedback to help us improve accessibility for all at UN Geneva. Please also contact us if you encounter accessibility barriers on www.ungeneva.org. We are consistently trying to improve our services; if you have any feedback on how we can do better, let us know.
If you are interested in how to make your website more accessible, resources for improving web accessibility are available here: https://www.un.org/en/webaccessibility/index.shtml
FEEDBACK SURVEY FOR MEETING PARTICIPANTS
If you attended a meeting or event at UN Geneva, please help us improve accessibility by completing a short survey. You can also scan the QR code below on your phone to access the survey.
