IGF 22nd Annual General Meeting

The IGF Annual General Meeting (AGM) is organized by the IGF Secretariat and hosted by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) every year in Geneva. This forum brings together governments, industry, civil society, non-governmental, and international organizations to discuss sustainable development in the mining sector.

This year, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) will only be conducted in person. Virtual participation will not be available. However, interested people unable to attend in person will still be able to follow the proceedings remotely via the United Nations’ Listen Live service. This service provides real-time audio streaming of the event plenary sessions.

Registration is mandatory via the UN Indico platform for access to the Palais des Nations. This process is managed by the United Nations, not the IGF Secretariat.

Incomplete registrations that do not meet UN security requirements (including photo) will not be approved.

Step 1: Before starting your registration, please obtain a recent passport-style photograph

We recommend visiting a professional photo service to ensure your photo meets required standards. Please follow these key requirements:

• Use a plain background
• Ensure a clear, front-facing headshot
• Maintain a neutral expression (no smiling)
• Do not use a photo of a printed photo

For full specifications, please refer to the detailed photo requirements.

Step 2: Register for the AGM taking place from October 12-14, 2026 .

• Register using the Indico platform
• If you do not have an account please create an Indico account. We recommend you creating an account with your institutional email address if possible, as it will facilitate the validation of your information.
• Upload a passport-style photograph
• To ensure a smooth registration approval process, please upload your nomination letter, note verbale or any other supporting documentation that confirms your affiliation with the organization indicated in your registration.

There is no registration on-site. Please register in advance, otherwise the IGF cannot provide support for your registration approval with the UN.

Media may access the event proceedings remotely through the Listen Live service offered by the UN.

Public reports on the IGF Annual General Meeting will be published in the IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin.

The IGF does not provide financial assistance for participation in the AGM. Sponsorship will be granted exclusively to designated government delegates from IGF member countries, according to IGF’s internal regulations.

As such, sponsorship requests from NGOs, private sector, academic institutions, or other will not be considered.

Participants are responsible for applying for a visa as early as possible, as processing times can range from two weeks to months.

The IGF Secretariat or the United Nations are not in a position to intervene to expedite the process with the Swiss authorities.

Please note that visa support letters may be provided by IGF only to government officials duly endorsed by their governments through a formal nomination letter or through a note verbale from their permanent mission in Geneva.  

All visa applications must be submitted through the official channels of the Swiss government and follow their instructions and requirements.

For up-to-date travel requirements for Switzerland, consult the following resources:

• Travelcheck | Einreisecheck (admin.ch)

Non-sponsored participants are expected to arrange their own accommodations prior to the meeting and cover any related expenses. The IGF Secretariat strongly encourages all participants to arrange their accommodation as early as possible.

You may find below a useful list of recommended hotels, selected based their proximity to tram or bus lines serving the Palais des Nations or within walking distance to the UN premises. Please note that no preferential rates have been arranged, and participants are responsible for their selection.

• InterContinental Geneve by IHG (5 stars)
• Hotel Bernina (3 stars)
• Hotel Kipling (3 stars)
• Hotel Ibis Centre Nations (3 stars)
• Hotel Cornavin  (4 stars)
• Novotel Geneve Centre Hotel  (4 stars)
• Warwick Geneva (4 stars)

Please bring all your supporting documentation regarding your visit to Geneva: your registration, nominations letter, accommodation confirmation, along with other relevant documents such as employment letters, in case requested by the immigration officer.

Geneva International Airport is conveniently located near the city center. The easiest way to reach downtown is by train to Gare Cornavin, Geneva’s main train station. The journey takes just 6–7 minutes, with up to seven trains per hour during peak times. All trains to and from Genève-Aéroport stop at Gare Cornavin.

Public transit is free with the transportation pass provided by your hotel. Refer to the Local Transportation section for more information.

Where can I find the train station at the airport?

Passengers have direct access to the airport’s train station at the check-in level and from the arrivals hall.

If you are staying at a hotel in Geneva, local public transportation—including travel to and from the airport—is free of charge.

Your hotel will send you a transit pass by email 2–3 days before your check-in date. Please follow the provided instructions to activate the pass, if required.

The AGM will take place at the premises of the United Nations in Geneva, also known as the Palais des Nations, located at:

• Avenue de la Paix 14, 1211 Genève 10
• Tel:  +41 (0) 22 917 1234

The Palais des Nations is well connected to an efficient and reliable public transport system—buses, trams, and taxis are readily available.

From the airport, take the # 5 bus toward Thônex-Vallard and get off at the “Nations” stop. The journey is about 10 minutes. You will need to walk about 10 minutes to the Pregny Gate.

On the first day of conference, delegates are encouraged to arrive early to the UN grounds to allow sufficient time to activate the badge, as entry lines may be long. Badge activation must be completed at the Pregny Gate, which is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

To activate your badge on the first day you are attending the conference, you must:

1. Be registered and approved on the Indico platform to attend the AGM conference.
2. Present your valid, recognized UN member state passport. A valid national ID card issued by a European Union member state is accepted; otherwise, it has to be your passport.
3. Present the digital badge that you will have received from your Indico registration process. Please download the badge onto your mobile device or print it in full color (there is NO Wi-Fi at the gate) to speed up your access.

Once your badge has been activated, you will be granted access to the UN premises all the remaining conference days stated in your badge by scanning it at the entrance.

There are two access points to the Palais des Nations: Pregny Gate (the main visitor entrance) and Peace Gate (near the Broken Chair monument). Please refer to the Palais des Nations map for gate locations.

Exit
All participants may exit through either Peace Gate or Pregny Gate.

First Day Entry & Badge Activation
On your first day, all participants must enter through the Pregny Gate between 08:00 and 17:00 to activate their conference badge.

Subsequent Entry by Badge Type

Green Badges (delegates from Member States and IGOs): May use either Peace Gate or Pregny Gate for entry on subsequent days.

Red Badges (UNCTAD-accredited NGOs): May enter via Peace Gate only between 08:00 and 10:00. After 10:00, entry is only permitted through Pregny Gate.

All Other Badges (academia, private sector, youth, others): Must always use Pregny Gate for entry.

Once you have passed through security, follow the pathway to the right toward the Tempus building. The Tempus Building is located close to the Peace Gate. On the first conference day, IGF team members will be located at key places around the Palais des Nations to guide you along the way. To get from the Pregny Gate to Tempus Building, follow the path indicated by the blue line as illustrated below.

Persons with disabilities are automatically granted priority access upon arrival at Pregny Gate. They are also given a map of the Palais that indicates accessible doors, elevators, and restrooms. Accessibility is limited due to ongoing renovations. Please check for additional details here.

Should you require special accommodations, please let us know in advance at agm@igfmining.org.

Parking Authorizations

Parking is not allowed for conference’s participants at the Palais des Nations. However, parking authorizations might be granted by the UN for accredited government delegates at the premises as coordinated in advance by their permanent mission in Geneva. To this end, the delegate’s country permanent mission in Geneva should request authorization in advance to the UN Security and Safety Service. IGF cannot support this process.

Taxis

We strongly recommend using public transportation while in Geneva. You may contact the following companies should you need to book a taxi. Please note that taxis are not permitted inside the UN grounds. Arrange for pick-up and drop-off outside the Pregny Gate.

Centrale Taxiphone SA
+ 41 (0) 22 33 141 33

Ambassador Limousine et Minibus
+41 22 731 92 92

Food and beverages

Main Cafeteria:
Open Monday to Friday
11:30 to 14:00
Building A, Level 0

Payments can only be made by credit card, contactless payment, and ELDORA’s electronic badges. No payment in cash will be accepted.

Delegates’ Bar:
Open Monday to Friday
8:30–15:00
Building A-C, Level 3

Currency change and ATM

Due to renovations, the UBS bank and ATMs, located at E Building, level 2, are closed.

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available in most areas of the Palais des Nation, including inside meeting rooms.

Shopping and souvenirs

Several shops sell UN-branded souvenirs, postcards, and books.

Other facilities

There are other facilities, such as a post office and SAFI, available in the Palais des Nations. Please refer to the map to locate them.

UN medical service at the Palais des Nations

Located in the S1 building, Level 1, medical services are available from Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 17:00.

For emergency assistance while at the Palais des Nations, dial the Security Control Centre (24 hrs) +41 (0)22 917 2112 (or 112 from any fixed-line phone in the Palais).

For advice, please call the UN Medical Service nurses at +41 (0)22 917 28 07, or reception at +41 (0)22 917 25 20.

Please do not leave your personal belongings unattended. UN facilities are open to the public due to the conferences. Neither the United Nations nor the IGF will be held responsible for any lost items.

Emergency numbers in Geneva:

Ambulance: 144
Police: 117
Fire service: 118

Weather

The weather at this time of year can be quite chilly. Temperatures typically range from 3°C to 10°C (37°F to 50°F), with the possibility of rain, so we recommend bringing warm clothing and waterproof gear.

For the most up-to-date forecast, we encourage you to follow the weather conditions on The Weather Channel as you plan your trip.

Power

The voltage in Switzerland, as in most of Europe, is 230V/50 Hz. Switzerland uses type C (2-pin) and Type J (3-pin) plugs. (Type C 2-pin plugs also fit J sockets.)

If you have any other question, please contact the IGF Secretariat at agm@igfmining.org.