Media outlets can request permanent or temporary press accreditation for their correspondents to cover the range of activities taking place at the United Nations Office at Geneva, from meetings of the Human Rights Council and peace talks to other major conferences and events.
Accredited correspondents participate in bi-weekly press briefings chaired by the UN Geneva spokesperson and attended by the spokespeople of UN specialized agencies and programmes based in Geneva. Correspondents also have access to scheduled press conferences, stakeouts and background briefings on an almost daily basis.
The UN Information Service regularly issues press releases and the meeting summaries of major meetings happening in Geneva, including the sessions of the Human Rights Council, the human rights committees, and the Conference on Disarmament.
Facilities for the media include free or rented workspaces and access to radio and television studios and services, upon availability.
Launch Press Briefing: 2015 World Disasters Report – Focus on local actors, the key to humanitarian effectiveness
The annual flagship publication of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the World Disasters Report, will be launched globally on 24 September 2015. This year’s 23rd edition of the report examines the complex and challenging relationship between local and international actors responding to crises. The report presents the case for a shift to the localization of aid and equal partnerships. Robert Tickner, Under Secretary General, IFRC Mo Hamza, 2015 World Disasters Report lead editor
Launch of the 2015 edition of the Broadband Commission for Digital Development’s ‘State of Broadband’ report, giving a global overview of broadband penetration and affordability.
Doreen Bogdan, Chief, Strategic Planning & Membership, and Phillippa Biggs, Senior Policy Advisory and author of this year’s report. The launch will provide an informal opportunity to chat to Phillippa about this year’s key findings ahead of the report going live on ITU’s website at 12 noon.
Press Stakeout requested by the Permanent Mission of Japan
Panel on the situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Mr. Takuya YOKOTA, Vice Secretary-General, Association of Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea (Panelist of the side event organized by ICNK) Mr. Koichiro IIZUKA, Vice Secretary-General, Association of Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea (Panelist of the HRC Panel Discussion) Mr. Shoichiro ISHIKAWA, Vice-Minister, Secretariat for the Headquarters for the Abduction issue, the Government of Japan (Head of Delegation of the Government of Japan to the HRC panel discussion)
Stakeout: Human Rights Council / Independent Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
Presentation of latest report by the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic to the Human Rights Council, covering the period between mid-January and mid-July 2015 plus the latest developments of the human rights situation in Syria.
Mr. Paulo Pinheiro, Chairperson, Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic Ms. Carla del Ponte, Member of the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic Ms. Karen Abuzayd, Member of the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic Mr. Vitit Muntarbhorn, Member of the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
The Special Rapporteur presents his first report to the Human Rights Council introducing his views on the foundations and context of the mandate.
He provides some clarifying definitions concerning unilateral coercive measures and some elements on guidance from international law, human rights law and humanitarian law. He also provides an insight on the current trends of unilateral coercive measures and introduces his strategy to prevent, minimize and redress the adverse impact of these measures. Mr. Idriss Jazairy, Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights
International Forum on Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Development.
This unique forum, to be held in Annemasse on 29-30 October 2015, will explore how public-private partnerships can serve as a tool to achieve sustainable development locally. H.E. Ms. Elisabeth Laurin, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations Office in Geneva Ms. Sally Fegan-Wyles, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, Executive Director, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Mr. Christian Dupessey, President of the Urban Agglomeration of Annemasse, Mayor of Annemasse
Annual report to the Human Rights Council
Mr. Baskut Tuncak, UN Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes
Embargoed press briefing: WHO and UNICEF report “ Achieving the Malaria MDG Target: Reversing the Incidence of Malaria 2000-2015”.
All information in this report is strictly embargoed until 17 September 2015, 01:01 CEST (Geneva), 00:01 BST (London) A new report from WHO and UNICEF shows that the rate of new malaria cases has dropped by 37 per cent over the past 15 years and malaria mortality has fallen by 60 per cent, achieving the Millennium Development Goal of reversing the incidence of the disease by 2015. The findings will be revealed on 17 September at an event at the UK House of Commons by WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan and Secretary of State, Justine Greening. On the same day, the journal Nature publishes new findings from the Malaria Atlas Project – a WHO Collaborating Centre based at the University of Oxford— quantifying the effectiveness of malaria control efforts such as insecticide treated nets across Africa. Dr. Pedro Alonso, Director of WHO's Global Malaria Programme Dr. Mark Young, Senior Health Specialist, UNICEF
