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.
Subject / Sujet: Concluding observations on country situations under the Convention and Optional Protocols on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OPAC) and the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (OPSC). Sri Lanka, Sudan, Guatemala, Angola, Spain, Sierra Leone, Bosnia, Burundi, Montenegro, and Nicaragua Speakers / Orateurs: Ms. Yanghee Lee (Chairperson of the Committee), Mr. Jean Zermatten and Mr. Lothar Krappman
Subject: Briefing on the emergency response and recovery operation in Pakistan, by the Emergency Coordinators of WHO, WFP and UNICEF, following their field visit. Speakers: Dr. Eric Laroche, Assistant Director General of the Health Action in Crises- WHO Mr. David Kaatrud, Director of Emergencies -WFP Mr. Louis Georges Arsenault (Via audio-link from New York), Director of Emergency Programmes - UNICEF
Subject: The Human Rights Council - Conclusion of the 15th regular session (13 September - 1 October) Speaker: H.E. Mr Sihasak Phuangketkeow, President of the Human Rights Council
Outcome of the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Global Meeting in Kobe (Japan). Rashid Khalikov, Director, OCHA Geneva Ambassador Toni Frisch, INSARAG Global Chairman
Speaker: Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director Subject: Informal discussion on burning issues such as Cancun, the green economy,biodiversity Place: Press room 1 Date: Wednesday 29 September at 12:45 pm (sandwiches will be served).
Launch of the report "Towards Universal Access - Scaling up priority HIV/AIDS interventions in the health sector - Progress Report 2010" Dr. Hiroki Nakatani, Assistant-Director General for HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases, WHO Dr. Yves Souteyrand, Coordinator, Strategic Information, HIV/AIDS Department, WHO Leila Pakkala, Director of Private-Sector Fundraising and Partnerships, UNICEF Dr. Mariângela Simao, Senior Adviser, AIDS Financing & Economics Division, UNAIDS Rifat Atun, Director, Strategy, Performance & Evaluation, The Global Fund
Following the presentation of the report to the UN Human Rights Council, the three members of the independent international Fact-Finding Mission appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council to inquire into the Gaza flotilla incident on 31 May 2010 will hold a press conference at the Palais des Nations. Judge K. Hudson-Phillips, former judge of the International Criminal Court in the Hague Sir Desmond de Silva, Queen’s Counsel, who was Chief Prosecutor of the Sierra Leone War Crimes Tribunal Ms. Shanthi Dairiam, human rights expert of Malaysia and former member of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.
The UN Committee of Independent Experts monitoring and assessing investigations into serious violations of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Laws during the Gaza conflict (December 2008 to January 2009) will be presenting its report to the UN Human Rights Council on investigations undertaken by Israel and the Palestinian side. The Committee assess undertaken investigations for compliance with international standards of independence, impartiality, effectiveness, thoroughness and promptness. Christian Tomuschat, Professor Emeritus at Humboldt University Berlin and Chair of the Committee
Press Conference by the SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict
Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Margot Wallström, the first holder of the post since it was created, will be in Geneva to participate in a special event during the Human Rights Council (HRC) on Monday 27 September 2010. Ms. Wallström will share her assessment of the recent atrocities in the form of mass rapes in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and her recommendations on how to address the issue of sexual violence in conflict and rape as a tactic of war. MS Wallström is on her way to visit the DRC for a second time since she took office."