Fifth session of the open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights - Accreditation

All UN Member and Observer States may participate in the OEIGWG session.

Requesting Accreditation

In addition to filling in the required information on the registration form, members of State delegations are kindly asked to attach a scanned Note Verbale, made out to the OEIGWG Secretariat at OHCHR, indicating all members of the delegation wishing to attend the session. This file should be uploaded in the section entitled "Mandatory documents for participants to the session."

Specialized agencies and other intergovernmental organizations and entities that have permanent observer status or an invitation to participate as observers in the sessions of the Human Rights Council may attend and participate in the public meetings of the OEIGWG.

Requesting Accreditation

In addition to filling in the required information on the registration form, members of international organizations are kindly asked to attach a scanned letter, made out to the OEIGWG Secretariat at OHCHR, indicating all members of the delegation wishing to attend the session. This file should be uploaded in the section entitled “Mandatory documents for participants to the session.”

National human rights institutions (NHRIs) with “A status” accreditation, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, and regional coordinating bodies of NHRIs (speaking on behalf of its “A status” members) may attend and participate in the public meetings of the OEIGWG.

Members of NHRIs that do not have “A status” accreditation may still be able to observe the session from the public gallery and attend side events.

Requesting Accreditation

In addition to filling in the required information on the registration form, national human rights institutions are kindly asked to attach a scanned letter, made out to the OEIGWG Secretariat at OHCHR, fulfilling the following criteria:

• Drafted on the official letterhead of the organization;
• Contains the title and dates of the session the NHRI wishes to attend: E.g., "[Name of NHRI], having “A status” accreditation with GANHRI, wishes to send the following members to attend the 5th session of the open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights (14-18 October 2019)...";
• Contains the full name (FAMILY NAME, First name) of each person who will represent the NHRI at the session; and
• Signed by the President or Main Representative of the NHRI.

This letter should be uploaded in the section entitled “Mandatory documents for participants to the session.”

Only NGOs with ECOSOC consultative status at the time of the session may attend and participate in the public meetings of the OEIGWG.  Representatives from NGOs with pending ECOSOC status or no ECOSOC status cannot be accredited.

Please note that on occasions of increased demand for participation in a given session, the Secretariat may limit access to the plenary room in terms of the number of accredited participants per NGO delegation.

If you are not entitled to participate in the public meetings, you may still be able to observe the session from the public gallery and attend side events.

Requesting Accreditation

In addition to filling in the required information on the registration form, NGOs are kindly asked to attach a scanned letter, made out to the OEIGWG Secretariat at OHCHR, fulfilling the following criteria:

• Drafted on the official letterhead of the organization;
• Contains the title and dates of the session the NGO wishes to attend: E.g., "[Name of NGO], in consultative status with ECOSOC, wishes to send the following members to attend the 4th session of the open-ended intergovernmental working group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights (14-18 October 2019)...";
• Contains the full name (FAMILY NAME, First name) of each person who will represent the organization at the session; and
• Signed by the person designated as the President/Chief Executive Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, or Main Representative in the UN Integrated Civil Society Organizations System for Geneva in 2019: Please double check that the person signing the letter has the appropriate status in the UN iCSO System.

This letter should be uploaded in the section entitled “Mandatory documents for participants to the session.”

Journalists may be able to cover the activities of the 5th session of the OEIGWG provided they receive approval from the UNOG Information Service to do so.

General information for journalists at UNOG.

Requesting Accreditation

In addition to filling in the required information on the registration form, please upload the necessary documents in the section entitled “Press/Media accreditation.”  For specific information on the documents that the UNOG Information Service needs in order to approve media accreditation, please consult the Media Accreditation at UNOG web page..

A limited number of seats in the public gallery, above the conference room, are available for people wishing to observe the proceedings of the OEIGWG without being accredited as participants.  Access to the public gallery will be granted according to the availability of seating and other circumstances.

Those with access to the public gallery may also attend the public side events during the session without needing additional authorization.
Requesting Accreditation

In addition to filling in the required information on the registration form, please:

• Select “Other” under the section entitled “Representation Type” (regardless of what type of organization you are a part of);
• Indicate that you are seeking access to the public gallery in the section entitled “Public Gallery Access;” and
• Indicate which days you are requesting access for at the bottom of the registration form.

Unless otherwise stated, side events are public meetings that may be attended by anyone with access to Palais des Nations. Thus, those with access to the OEIGWG plenary meetings, as well as people with access to the public gallery, may attend public side events.

Additionally, side event organizers may invite guests to attend their side event even if the guests are not otherwise accredited to attend the OEIGWG session.

Requesting Accreditation

In addition to filling in the required information on the side event registration form, invited guests are kindly asked to attach a scanned letter from the side event organizer indicating that the guest has been invited. This letter should clearly indicate the side event the guest will be attending and should be uploaded in the section entitled “Mandatory documents for access to side events.”

If you require a confirmation of registration for visa purposes, you may indicate so in the online registration form under the section entitled “Confirmation of registration for visa purposes.”  Uploading a scanned copy of your passport will facilitate the process.

The accreditation request letter to be uploaded in the Indico system should clearly indicate the member(s) of the delegation requiring a visa. Additionally, your accreditation request should be sent no later than 27 September 2019.

Please note that receiving a confirmation of registration letter for visa purposes will not be sufficient, by itself, for obtaining a visa.  Please consult Swiss consular officials in your country regarding visa application deadlines, apply accordingly, and ensure that all documentation is in order.

Individuals with annual security badges valid for the duration of the OEIGWG session will be able to access UNOG premises and the plenary session in Room XX. Those who have been accredited but do not have a badge must collect their security badge for the session at the Pregny Gate of the Palais des Nations, located at 8-14 Avenue de la Paix, 1211 Geneva 10. The office is open on working days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To collect the badge, you must present:

• An official identity document: E.g., a passport; and
• A copy of the confirmation email/e-ticket from the Indico system.