Fair on Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

A Fair on Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) will be held during the 2023 COPs, from 3 to 5 May 2023, at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG), 17 rue de Varembé, Geneva, Switzerland, with the objective of raising awareness on the urgency to accelerate action to meet the upcoming deadlines related to the elimination of the use of PCB in equipment by 2025 and the environmentally sound waste management of liquids containing PCB and equipment contaminated with PCB by 2028 under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

You can download the PCB Fair programme of events to find out more about all activities.


Focusing on the theme selected for the 2023 meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the three conventions “Accelerating action: Targets for the sound management of chemicals and waste”, the objective of the PCBs Fair is to raise awareness on the urgency to accelerate action to meet the upcoming 2025 and 2028 PCB deadlines under the Stockholm Convention as well as to raise awareness on other deadlines under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions.

The Fair will provide and opportunity for partner institutions, non-governmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations, the Basel and Stockholm Convention Regional Centres and private companies to exhibit their activities, projects and technologies that are available to support the implementation of the conventions,as well as provide a platform for partners to network and explore opportunities for collaboration and joint ventures with the aim of implementing activities of common interest.

Partners are invited to showcase their activities, projects as well as relevant clean technologies for the sound management of chemicals and wastes and promoting opportunities for developing alternatives –including non-chemical alternatives- to chemicals listed under the conventions. Exhibitors will also be encouraged to share and demonstrate how their work contributes towards attaining the objectives of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions for a pollution free future.

The Fair is an an interactive event hosted under the aegis of the COPs in the exhibition area blending both furnished booths for exhibitors to display their activities as well as a space for hosting specific interactive activities such as panel discussions, debates on ways to promote the transfer of technology, competitions and screening of videos.

The target audience for the PCBs Fair are delegates and observers attending the 2023 meetings of the conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, as well as other representatives from the private and public sector, civil society and the media that are invited to attend the event. Virtual participation in many of the events of the Fair will be facilitated through an online platform.

Activities

The PCBs Fair will open with a ceremony and a reception at lunch time on 3 May 2023 and will be closed with a reception in the evening of 5 May 2023.

Interactive activities will take place during the lunch period between 13h00 and 15h00 and after the afternoon plenary session between 18h00 and 20h00.

Interactive Panel discussions on topical issues involving high level representatives from all sectors will be scheduled for a maximum duration each of 45 minutes in order to ensure that participants remain engaged during the event.

Competitions will be organized to ensure that participants engage with the event. For example, awards will be given to recognize the best booth, the event that attracts the most participants, the most creative activity, etc.

Side events

During the three days of the Fair the side events will be organized focusing on the theme of the Fair. Organizers of side events will be encouraged to showcase tools, and possible solutions and alternatives as well as opportunities for technology transfer for the implementation of the Conventions.
The side events will take place in the exhibition areas of the venue where possible.

Booths

20 exhibition booths will be made available for interested partners to showcase their activities during the three days of the Fair. Exhibitors will be encouraged to set up their booths with interactive demonstrations showcasing their work and activities related to the elimination of PCBs.The booths will be open throughout the 3 days of the Fair. Exhibitors who wish to keep their booths until the end of the COPs will be allowed to do so and are encouraged to showcase activities aligned with the theme of the COPs: “Accelerating action: Targets for the sound management of chemicals and waste”.

Booth description

The basic 3 walled 6m2 (3m x 2m) stands will include the following:

  • 3 white walls (each consisting of 3 panels L100cms x H250cms)
  • 1 sign board with the company /organization name in standard lettering
  • 2 spotlights for 9m2
  • 1 triple socket
  • 1 black package with 1 table and 2 chairs

A selection of additional equipment will be available for rent. Further information will be provided when available.

Registration for interested exhibitors to participate

Participation to exhibit or host an event during the PCB Fair is open to Parties and observers to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. To request a booth or to host events during the PCB Fair please submit the completed the form at the latest by Wednesday, 01 March 2023 to:

Ms.Jo Ann Edma
Att: PCB Fair
Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
e-mail: mea-brs-communications@un.org

Following past practice, a participation fee will be charged to participating organizations. For further details please contact the Secretariat.

Further information on the PCBs Fair will be posted as it becomes available.

United Nations rules with regard to the marketing activities by private companies in a United Nations conference centre

Private companies can exhibit only what is pertinent to the conference they have been invited for and must not at any time neither solicit, transact nor market their services; The exhibition shall be for information purposes only, for the benefit of the participants to the conference.

Registration of speakers and participants

The PCB Fair is 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 the Fair 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 event organizers to ensure that these “visitors” enter the conference building for the 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 the venue. Please review the information on meeting registration and on the admission process for observer organizations, if necessary.