Organize a coffee break or reception
You can organize a coffee break or reception on the side of your conference, outside the meeting room. Please note that no food or drink is allowed inside meeting rooms. You can place your order for a coffee break online. For receptions please contact Eldora, the catering company, directly.
Who can organize a reception or coffee break?
The following entities and persons are authorized to hold functions in the Palais des Nations:
- Accredited Member States and observers, permanent missions;
- United Nations Secretariat Departments;
- Staff of the United Nations Secretariat and the United Nations system who hold a valid identification card;
- Agencies, Funds, Programmes and other organizations of the United Nations system;
- Non-governmental organizations with consultative status in the Economic and Social Council;
- Media accredited with the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG);
- Any other entity when deemed in the best interest of UNOG and as approved by the Office of the Director-General
Political parties, religious movements and sects are not permitted to organize functions in the Palais des Nations.
The functions must not be of a commercial nature. The organizers may not collect any entrance fee.
When ordering, please have the following information ready:
- Number of participants
- Time
- Food/beverages needed
- Dietary restrictions
- Billing information
Where are receptions and coffee breaks authorized?
The venues authorized by type of function are as follows:
- Luncheons and dinners: Delegates’ Restaurant (currently under renovation)
- Cocktail receptions and coffee breaks: all venues below up to indicated maximum authorized capacity (in the case of coffee breaks, service in principle must not exceed one half hour):
| Venues | Luncheons/Dinners | Cocktail Receptions/Coffee Breaks |
|---|---|---|
| Delegates’ Restaurant (currently under renovation) | 120 | 200 |
| Delegates’ Restaurant – Salon Genève (Geneva Room) (currently under renovation) | 70 | 100 |
| Delegates’ Restaurant – Salon Lausanne (Lausanne Room) (currently under renovation) | 50 | 80 |
| Bar Concordia (currently under renovation) | 200 | |
| Hall 14 | 100 | |
| Bar Escargot | 150 | |
| Bar Serpent (after 6 p.m.) | 600 | |
| Cafeteria reception area (after 6 p.m.) | 200 | |
| Mezzanine | 400 | |
| Auditorium (Building H) | 100 | |
| Grab and Go Lounge (Building H) | 100 | |
| Areas in the vicinity of conference rooms | Depends on the area in question |
Official UN Caterer
For reasons of food safety and access to the premises among others, the official UN Geneva caterer is the sole entity authorized to provide catering services for functions, including coffee breaks, in the Palais des Nations. UN Geneva declines any responsibility for accidents or incidents occurring as a result of failure to comply with this provision.
In the case of functions organized in connection with events of a cultural nature (exhibition openings, concerts, etc.), permanent missions or authorized entities wishing to serve culinary specialties not available from the UN Geneva caterer may be authorized to make use of their own catering staff subject to approval by Administration. Such exceptions will be granted on the basis of compliance by the permanent missions or entities with food hygiene and food safety rules concerning the transport, storage, serving and disposal of foodstuffs. UN Geneva will not be held responsible for any incident resulting from the non-compliance with these rules. In no case may a private catering company be engaged.
Costs
For each function, the official caterer will prepare a detailed estimate, which must be approved and signed by the organizers. In the case of requests from external entities, security costs will be charged based on the number of guests, the duration of the event and whether it takes place on a weekday, official holiday or weekend.
In keeping with the Organization policy whereby the regular budget shall not bear any costs related to non-mandated or extra-budgetary activities, such activities serviced by UN Geneva will be subject to reimbursement. Costs for coordination, cleaning, disposal of waste and/or move of furniture will therefore apply as required, and in all cases for events organized without the official caterer. Costs for the provision of equipment will also apply as required.
Self-service food options
A range of food options is accessible for all conference participants, ranging from the fully-stocked cafeteria, to kiosks and vending machines, and the Serpent Bar which does not only offer coffee and delicious bites but also provides ample room for meeting and discussions in between the sessions.
FAQs
Yes. All requests are subject to the official agreement of the administration and the security services. The catering services must be provided by the official UN Geneva caterer.
No. According to UN Geneva rules regarding the organization of functions the official caterer is the sole entity authorized to provide catering services for reasons of food safety and access to the premises among others.
Yes. Culinary specialties can complete the cocktail offers with the agreement of the UN Geneva caterer. Such exceptions will be granted on the basis of compliance by the requester with the food hygiene and food safety rules concerning the culinary preparation, the transport and the storage of these specialties.
No. According to UN Geneva rules regarding the organization of functions the official caterer is the sole entity authorized to provide catering services for reasons of food safety and access to the premises among others. In the case of functions organized in connection with events of a cultural nature (exhibition openings, concerts, etc.) permanent missions or authorized entities wishing to serve culinary specialties not available from the UN Geneva caterer may be authorized to make use of their own catering staff subject to approval by Administration. In no case may they engage a private catering company.