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.
Previous Press Conferences
UNHCR Press conference
Vincent Cochetel, Special Envoy for the Central Mediterranean situation
ITU Press conference
WRC-19 will facilitate the management of scarce orbit/spectrum resources in the interest of end-users, with global implications for both policy-makers and the industry Joanne Wilson, Deputy Director, ITU Radiocommunication Bureau
WHO Press conference
Dr Michael Ryan, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme
WHO Press conference (under embargo)
The report presents the global scale of eye conditions and vision impairment, the obstacles and opportunities for prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, and the forces driving the increase in the projected number of people with eye conditions that will lead to an increased number of people with vision impairment and blindness if action is not urgently taken.
A copy of the report – under embargo until 3 p.m. Geneva time on 8 October – can be obtained by contacting Paul Garwood (WHO Department of communication) garwoodp@who.int
The official launch of the report will take place in Geneva on 9 October 2019, the day before World Sight Day on 10 October.
Dr Alarcos Cieza, Coordinator, Prevention of blindness and deafness, WHO Dr Stuart Keel, Technical Officer, Prevention of blindness and deafness, WHO
UNHCR Press conference
Maha Mamo, formerly stateless refugee and advocate for the rights of stateless people Cate Blanchett, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Carol Batchelor, UNHCR Special Advisor on Statelessness
OHCHR Press Conference - Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
Luis Pedernera, Chair of the Committee Clarence Nelson, member (focus on Australia) Suzanne Aho Assouma, member (focus on Portugal ) Renate Winter, Vice-chair (focus on Republic of Korea)
OSE Press conference
Geir O. Pedersen, Special Envoy for Syria Khawla Matar, Deputy Special Envoy for Syria (in attendance) Jenifer Fenton, Spokesperson for Special Envoy for Syria (in attendance)
UNHCR Press conference
Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
OHCHR Press Conference
Markus Schefer, CRPD Committee member Rosemary Kayess, CRPD Vice-Chair Jonas Ruskus, CRPD Vice-Chair
WMO Press Conference
New WMO report on the state of the climate in 2015-2019, with details on global temperatures and other climate change indicators like ice melt and sea level rise. It forms part of United in Science synthesis report with the latest scientific findings to inform the UN Secretary-General's Climate Action Summit in New York. The synthesis report will be presented in New York at a science side event by WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas and other members of the Science Advisory Committee to the Climate Action summit. The report will be distributed to Geneva journalists in advance.
Maxx Dilley, Director of WMO Climate Prediction and Adaptation Division Omar Baddour, WMO Senior Scientific Officer and Coordinator of the report