Bus 60, 61 (direction 'Ferney-Voltaire or Gex l'Aiglette', stop at 'Nations')
Bus 5 (direction Aéroport, stop at Nations)
Bus 8 (direction OMS, stop at Nations)
Bus 20 (direction 'Colovrex', stop at 'Nations')
by tram:
Tram 15 (direction 'Nations', stop at 'Nations')
Journey time: 10 minutes
(Photo: FIPOI)
Accessing WIPO
Access to the WIPO campus is via the WIPO Access Center located on the north side of the WIPO AB Building.
Mobility
Access for persons with reduced mobility is available throughout WIPO premises. Guide-dogs for the visually-impaired are allowed. For information or assistance please contact us.
Warning
Access to and presence on the WIPO premises is restricted to persons wearing an official badge. Smoking is prohibited inside WIPO buildings. Designated smoking areas are located around WIPO buildings.
Participants will be subject to badge control at the entry points. Badges should be worn in plain sight at all times.
UN-badge holders and Geneva-based permanent mission participants who already have valid UN photo badges may use them.
Other participants will be provided with a WIPO badge upon their arrival. Participants are requested to present a photo identification document (ID) at the counter, which is open as from 8:00 a.m. Any loss of a WIPO badge should be reported without delay to the WIPO Access Center desk.
To keep you and others safe, WIPO recommends that you follow a number of health-safety measures.
On the premises
While on WIPO premises, we recommend that :
if you have a cold or similar symptoms, but have to come in, wear a mask when in a shared space and
keep at least 1.5 meters from others
if you are feeling unwell while onsite, please inform a WIPO staff member so that they may help you contact our Medical Services for advice
Please note that masks are available at WIPO's reception desks.
If traveling from another country to attend a meeting on WIPO premises
You should carefully consider the current public health situation and envisage participating online to our meetings if the situation warrants this.
Participants who attend physically should note that arrangements may be contingent upon possible COVID-19 and other health-related travel restrictions and that they will be solely responsible for ascertaining their personal situation in relation to policies from their home country, Switzerland and any in-transit country regarding health-safety measures in place.
If you are participating as a Financed Delegate, please refer to your invitation letter and contact the Secretariat in charge of the meeting should you have any questions related to travel.
WIPO Medical Unit
WIPO's Medical Unit is located in the GBI Building (Room GBI 0.6) near the WIPO AB Building lobby (tel: +41 22 338 8000). Opening Hours: Monday and Friday morning: 9:30 - 11:30 , Monday - Wednesday - Friday afternoon: 14:00 - 16:00).
A nursing space is located on the ground floor of the WIPO GBI Building (GBI0.2), opposite the cash dispenser machine, near the WIPO AB Building lobby.
Geneva's Hôpital Cantonal – 24 rue Micheli-du-Crest, 1205 Geneva – is open 24/7. (Tel: +41 22 372 3311)
For Ambulance and Medical Emergency dial 144
Remote Participation
If you are not attending in person you may follow the live transmission of hybrid meetings proceedings online, either through the live webcasting or through the online remote participation platform (“online platform”). The online platform user-guide for WIPO delegates, together with additional information, can be found on the WIPO Virtual and Hybrid Meetings webpage.
Delegates who may need to take the floor remotely should connect via the online platform. Registered remote delegates will be individually contacted concerning technical arrangements. It is strongly suggested to familiarize yourselves with the platform before using it.
For any delegate who does not plan to take the floor, webcasting is the simplest way to follow the proceedings, since it is easy to access and does not require any pre-meeting authentication, training or connectivity testing processes.
A number of PCs, with free Internet access and shared printer, are available. Access is on a first-come/first-served basis. In the interests of other delegates, users are encouraged to reduce their access time in case of high demand.
Internet room on the ground floor of the WIPO Conference Hall;
WIPO Library (first floor of the NB Building);
Software for the visually impaired installed on these computers allows web pages to be read aloud to users.
WIFI
WIFI is available in all public areas. The access code will be provided to delegates at the WIPO registration desk.
Power plugs in Switzerland
Please note that Switzerland uses Type C (2-pin) and Type J (3-pin) plugs. As WIPO does not provide plugs, adapters, or electronic device chargers, participants are strongly advised to bring their own. These devices can otherwise be purchased from most supermarkets, kiosks and department stores across the country.
Cloakrooms
Self-service cloakrooms are located outside the plenary room of the Conference Hall and Room A in the WIPO AB Building. These areas are unattended; WIPO takes no responsibility for any loss or theft of property left there.
Delegates are encouraged not to bring luggage to WIPO and to secure personal property at all times. A number of lockers are available at the reception of the NB Building.
Lost and found – all inquiries should be addressed to the WIPO Access Center (Tel: +41 22 338 7942 or +41 22 338 7944 – available 24/7).
ATM | Bank | Post
A cash dispenser is available on the ground floor of the WIPO GBI Building (right-hand side of the lobby of the WIPO AB Building). Swiss francs and Euros are available, using internationally-recognized credit cards.
The closest bank is the UBS Vermont-Nations Branch, 17bis Chemin Louis Dunant, 5 minutes walk from WIPO.
Opening hours: 10:00 – 17:30 on Mondays; 09:00 – 17:30 Tuesday to Friday. (Cash dispenser ATM 24/7).
The nearest post office is located at the CICG Conference Center, 17 Rue de Varembé. Opening hours: 08:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00.
Cafeteria, coffee bars and lunch facilities
A cafeteria is located in the WIPO NB Building. The WIPO cafeteria located in the PCT Building is temporarily closed until further notice.
A coffee/tea lounge coin-operated vending machine is available on the 13th floor of the AB Building.
Water dispensers are available throughout WIPO buildings, rooms and corridors.
A number of cafés and restaurants are situated within walking distance of the WIPO campus.
Consumption of food and drinks (except water) is not permitted in WIPO conference rooms.
WIPO Knowledge Center
(Photo: WIPO)
The physical library space is accessible upon request. Contact us for an appointment.
Traveling to and staying in Geneva
Important – All participants at WIPO meetings and events are responsible for obtaining their own visa.
Participants at WIPO meetings and events are expected to make their own accommodation arrangements. WIPO does not have a hotel reservation service. Participants should book hotels directly or through their permanent missions.
Rooms can often be obtained at preferential rates in the following hotels:
The Geneva Delegates Welcome Service (CAGI) offers logistical support for planning of accommodation and may grant financial aid to participants from least developed countries and non-governmental organizations, on a case-by-case basis. For more information contact CAGI.
Tips!
Currency: Swiss franc (CHF)
Local time: UTC +1 hour
Electricity: 220V
Telephones
When phoning locally in Geneva from a fixed phone, replace “+41 22” by “022” or “+41 79” by “079” and so on. Incoming calls should be made to the WIPO switchboard (Tel: +41 22 338 9111).
Security Information:
Delegates are discouraged from bringing their luggage to WIPO and to secure their personal property at all times. All inquiries concerning lost and found items should be addressed to the WIPO Access Center (Tel: +41 22 338 9338 or +41 22 338 7219 – 24/7).
Regarding personal safety and security, delegates should remain vigilant regarding their safety and the security of their property. Petty crime and crimes using distraction methods are common in a number of areas in the city (train/bus terminals) and involve pickpocketing as well as purse and/or cell-phone snatching. Robbery and/or threats of robbery are uncommon, but not unheard of. If accosted, do not resist and comply with demands to turn over personal property. Remember that your personal safety is of paramount concern.
WIPO Safety and Security Coordination Service (SSCS) recommend that delegates make copies of their passports and other identification, carrying the copies on their person. It is advisable to secure original, important documents/identification in hotel safes.
Take note of fire safety instructions in your hotel (emergency exits).
Take care and secure your personal property (luggage/briefcase/electronics, etc.).
Do not carry large amounts of cash with you and do not expose expensive jewelry in public.
When possible, avoid walking alone especially in the evening, try to use crowded routes and keep to well-lit areas.
Use public transport modes (bus/train/taxi) that are considered safe modes of moving about the city.
Be aware of individuals presenting themselves as police officers and always ask for formal police identification. Police identity cards feature a photo of the officer, their name and rank and are inscribed with the Republic and Canton of Geneva, as well as the word “Police” crossed with a yellow and red line. If there is uncertainty regarding the authenticity of a police officer, challenge him, attract the attention of others and if possible call the police emergency number (117).
Be particularly vigilant at the airport, the train station and when checking into your hotel.
Never leave valuables on car seats – doing so attracts the attention of thieves.
Be careful when using bank machines and note if anyone is lingering about. If you feel uncomfortable, find another ATM.
Carry your hotel information with you: phone number, address, hotel taxi service.
Please report all security (crime/attempts) incidents to the Police (Tel: 117) and to WIPO’s Safety Security Coordination Service (SSCS - Security Operation Center 9999 or + 41 22 338 9999, security.coordination@wipo.int). SSCS is available 24/7 to provide delegates with assistance if a police report is required and to provide liaison with the Geneva Diplomatic Police Group.
WIPO’s onsite security guard force is available to assist you, should a safety/security incident occur on the WIPO campus or in close proximity to it, and if immediate assistance is required. They may be reached via the emergency number 9999 from WIPO internal phones and via +41 22 338 9999 on external phone lines. Further information and advice on security matters in Geneva can be found on the web site of Geneva Police.
