Side events

During the 2019 meetings of the conferences of the Parties (COPs), side events will be held during lunch breaks and in the evenings on major issues covered under the conventions.

Side events are a vital component of the COP meetings, as they provide opportunities to Parties, United Nations agencies and admitted observers to highlight diverse issues related to the objectives of the conventions. They are established as a platform for participants to exchange information and present their work concerning the implementation of the conventions. They can also contribute to foster discussion on key issues being discussed at the COPs.

The schedule of side events is available here.

Applications

The application deadline to hold side events during the COPs was on Thursday, 28 February 2019.

Up to two side events can be held in parallel during lunch breaks and in the evenings following plenary sessions. Side events are 90 minutes in duration.

In order to accommodate as many requests for side events as possible, side event proposals that involve several organizing entities/ partners are particularly encouraged. The Secretariat encourages a balanced gender and geographical representation among the lead speakers / contributors to the event. If more requests for side events are received than there are slots available, organizers of side events may be invited to organize joint events.

Registration of speakers and participants

Side events are open to all registered delegates participating at the official meetings of the COPs. Please note that all speakers and participants who wish to take part in side events must be duly registered for the COP meetings. Depending on their status, they can register in one of the following categories: Party representatives, observers (Non-Party States, UN bodies, other observer bodies and agencies, e.g. intergovernmental organizations, regional centres, non-governmental organizations), or others.

If the panelists, participants and/or speakers do not belong to any of those categories, they should contact the Secretariat as soon as possible to enquire if they could be registered as “visitor”. It is the responsibility of the side event organizers to ensure that these “visitors” enter the conference building for the side event only and cannot participate in other parts of the COPs meetings.

Access to the Conference venue is limited to duly registered participants - all speakers and participants have to be in possession of a conference badge in order to access side event rooms. Please review the information on meeting registration and on the admission process for observer organizations, if necessary.

Technical specifications

Side event rooms are equipped with a computer, a projector, a screen, internet access and microphones. Organizers of side events/exhibits who need to rent equipment or supplies on a commercial basis other than those provided free of charge may contact the Secretariat side event contact person mentioned below.

Catering

Catering for the side event may be provided only by the official caterer for the session. Catering must be provided outside the side event rooms only. Organizers will be responsible for arranging the catering services and ensuring that no food or drinks are brought into the side event room. A form for ordering catering will be sent to the organizer upon confirmation of the side event.

The Secretariat reminds applicants that it reserves the right to reschedule or cancel side events at any time in the interest of the negotiating process and the overall management of the meetings.

Contact

Ms. Andrea Lechner
Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
E-mail: andrea.lechner@brsmeas.org
Tel.: + 41 (0) 22 917 8853

and

Ms. Susila Bhagavathula
Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions
E-mail: susila.bhagavathula@brsmeas.org
Tel.: +41 (0) 22 917 8335