The future of food safety

International Food Safety Conference

 

WTO International Forum on Food Safety and Trade

23-24 April 2019

Logistics note to participants

I. Venue

 

TheInternational Forum on Food Safety and Trade will be hosted by the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Geneva, the second-most populous city in Switzerland, is located between the Alps and the Jura on Lake Geneva. It is a financial center, and a worldwide center for diplomacy due to the presence of numerous international organizations. The main WTO building has a unique history and its adjacent conference center (Council Room) offers modern conference facilities, regularly hosting international conferences, such as the International Forum on Food Safety and Trade. 

 

How to get to the WTO

By bus: Bus 28 takes you directly to the WTO (direction Jardin Botanique; stop: Jardin Botanique). Geneva International Airport offers you a free ticket into town, valid throughout the « Tout Genève » zone of the Geneva Public Transport system. You can get the ticket from the automatic distributor, located in the baggage claim area, just before going through customs. It is valid for 80 minutes for public transport (bus, train, tram) and is available to arriving passengers only.

By taxi: If you prefer to take a taxi, they can be found directly outside the arrival hall. Please note that taxis are generally expensive in Geneva. A one-way fare to the WTO should cost around CHF40.

By train:

  • Take any train leaving from the airport and get off at the first stop - Gare Cornavin (average trip time: 8 minutes). 
  • Outside of the train station (i.e. "Gare Cornavin"), take bus number 1 or 25 from the stop (direction Jardin Botanique) and get off at the last stop "Jardin Botanique". You will see the WTO building right in front of you.

 

wto-entrance

World Trade Organization | Centre William Rappard 
Rue de Lausanne 154
CH-1211 Geneva 2
Tel: +41 22 739 51 11

geneva-airport

With effect from January 2008, you can pick up a free ticket for public transport from the machine in the baggage collection area at the Arrival level. This Unireso ticket, offered by Geneva International Airport, allows you to use public transport (bus, train, tram) in Geneva free for a period of 80 minutes.

If you are already in town: The WTO is conveniently serviced by four major bus routes (N°1, N°11, N°25 and N°28). Take any of these buses in the direction of Jardin Botanique. The WTO building is located across the street from the Jardin Botanique bus stop. A one-way bus fare costs CHF3.00. The ticket is valid for 1 hour.

 

II. Registration & badges

Registration:

All participants need to register via the online registration platform.

Registration deadline is on 8 April 2019. Please note there will be no possibility to extend the registration beyond this date.

Badges:

  • As you pass through the main gates of the WTO, please proceed to the Welcome Pavilion to obtain your identification badge. The Welcome Pavilion is the glass building located on the right-hand side, immediately as you pass through the main gates of the WTO.
  • Please do not forget to bring your photo identification card or passport as you will be asked to present it in order to collect your badge.
  • Please make sure that you arrive at the WTO early enough to pick up your badge (registration will open at 8:00 am)

 

III. Time | Language | Dialing codes

Local time is UTC/GMT +1. The official language in Geneva is French, although English is widely spoken. Country Calling Code is +41.

Simultaneous interpretation and Forum materials will be provided in the six official UN languages.

 

IV. Forum materials

Forum materials will be made available on the dedicated website of the event. Participants are encouraged to use personal lap-tops/tablets during the Forum as the event will be generally paperless.

 

V. Visa information

Please check the Swiss visa requirements for your country of origin with the Consulate of Switzerland in your country of departure or via the following link.

Obtaining a Swiss visa may take up to one month. Kindly note that visa costs will not be refunded.

 

VI. Weather

Average temperatures in Geneva during April are between a high of 15 and a low of 5 degrees Celsius (please check the weather at MeteoSuisse).

 

VII. Currency

The official currency of Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF). Some shops may accept euros but are not obliged to do so. Change given back to the client will most likely be in Swiss Francs.

 

VIII. Electricity

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.) Most power sockets are designed for three pin round plugs. The standard continental type plug with two round pins, applied for many electrical travel products, may be used without problem. Adaptors are available in most hotels.

three-pin-round-plugs

IX. Facilities at the WTO

wto-facilities


X. Maps of the area

Map of the WTO and surrounding area

wto-surrounding-area

Map of the WTO
wto-map

1) Welcome pavilion, 2) WTO Main building, 3) WTO Council Room (CR), 4) WTO cafeteria building

XI. Amenities (e.g. Cafes, Restaurants, Grocery stores, Hotels, Medical Centre) near to the WTO

amenities-near-wto


XII. Restaurant facilities in or near the WTO

A variety of options are available for dining in or around the WTO:

In the WTO:

  • The WTO cafeteria offers meals, salads and beverages.
  • The WTO coffee bar (atrium) located on the ground floor of the main building offers all sorts of beverages, sandwiches and salads (for a quick bite).

Around the WTO (see map of Amenities):

  • The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has a cafeteria with a lovely terrace offering beautiful views of the Leman Lake along with lunch options ranging from 12 to 20 CHF. It is open from 12:30 to 14:30 and can be accessed upon presentation of a valid ID.
  • Across the street from the WTO (next to the Jardin Botanique stop), there is a small supermarket which is also a popular destination for those interested in fresh sandwiches and salads at reasonable prices.
  • A Chinese buffet is available at the Tsing Tao Restaurant (12 avenue de Sécheron), around the corner from the small supermarket (the buffet costs approximately CHF22 and lunch menus CHF15). There is also a Lebanese restaurant (Layalina, 121 rue de Lausanne). The Hotel Eden restaurant (135 rue de Lausanne) offers Swiss/French/Italian eating. Like most restaurants in Geneva, a reasonably-priced lunch menu or suggestion of the day can be found.

 

XIII. Useful links

Geneva Tourism http://www.geneve-tourisme.ch/  
Bus Schedule http://www.tpg.ch/en/web/site-international  
Train Schedule http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html  
Geneva Airport http://www.gva.ch  
Geneva Welcome Centre (CAGI) http://www.cagi.ch/en/home.php

 

We thank you for your interest in participating in this Forum and look forward to welcoming you to Geneva!