Forum on Minority Issues

Accreditation and registration

The Second session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues held on 12 and 13 November 2009 in Palais des Nations, Geneva.

Pursuant to Human Rights Council (HRC) resolution 6/15 of 17 September 2007, the Forum on Minority Issues is open to participation of “States, United Nations mechanisms, bodies and specialized agencies, funds and programmes, intergovernmental organizations, regional organizations and mechanisms in the field of human rights, national human rights institutions and other relevant national bodies, academics and experts on minority issues, (…) non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, (…) and other non-governmental organizations whose aims and purposes are in conformity with the spirit, purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations”.

All actors listed above are invited to complete and return to the Secretariat of the Forum on Minority issues (email: minorityforum@ohchr.org, fax: (41 22) 917 90 06 the following documentation:

1. The Conference Registration form

2. The letter requesting accreditation (as detailed below)

3. A questionnaire (for NGOs NOT in consultative status with ECOSOC)

The letter requesting accreditation must comply with the following requirements:

1. It should be submitted on the official letterhead of the organisation;
2. It should clearly state the name of the organization that wishes to attend, e.g. “[Name of organisation or NGO], [if applicable please indicate after the name of the organization “, in consultative status with ECOSOC,”], wishes to send the following members to attend the 2009 Social on Minority issues on 12 and 13 November 2009 ...”;
3. It should indicate the name/s (first name and family name) of all the person/s who will represent the organisation at the Forum on Minority Issues. Names of persons must appear exactly as they appear in identification documents; family name(s) must be in block letters. NGOs not in consultative status with ECOSOC are also kindly requested to indicate the date of birth and nationality of their representatives.
4. NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC, please ensure that your representative(s) in possession of a valid identity badge issued by the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG) Security and Safety Section, and who plan to attend the Social Forum, are also included in the accreditation request, with an indication that the person(s) holds an annual badge;
5. The letter should be signed by the Head or the Main Representative of the organisation.

All participants (without a UNOG identity badge) should proceed to the accreditation office at the “Pregny Gate” security entrance (8-14 avenue de la Paix – see map) with a copy of their accreditation request, passport or similar picture identity document and the conference registration form for each participant. The Accreditation Officer will then issue a photo-badge granting access to the Palais des Nations. This badge will remain valid for the duration of the session, and will permit the badge-holder unrestricted access to the conference rooms.