A Fair will be held during the 2025 COPs, from 30 April to 2 May 2025, at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG), 17 rue de Varembé, Geneva, Switzerland. Focusing on the theme selected for the 2025 meetings of the Conferences of the Parties to the three conventions “Make Visible the Invisible: sound management of chemicals and waste”, the objective of the Fair is to raise awareness on the work of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and their contribution towards addressing the crises of pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change.
The Fair will provide and opportunity for Parties, 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, competitions, screening of videos, panel discussions and debates on ways to promote the implementation of the Conventions and raise the visibility of their contribution towards addressing the crises of pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change.
The target audience for the Fair are participants and observers attending the 2025 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.
Activities
The Fair will open with a ceremony and a reception, in the evening of 29 April or lunch time on 30 April 2025 (timing to be confirmed), and will be closed with a reception on the evening of 2 May 2025.
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, side events organized would be expected to align with the theme of the Fair: “Make Visible the Invisible: sound management of chemicals and waste”. Requests for side events during the Fair are to be submitted through the regular channel to request side events.
Booths
21 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 activities in their fields of expertise that are aligned with the theme of the COPs and the Fair: ”Make Visible the Invisible: sound management of chemicals and waste.” The booths will be open throughout the 3 days of the Fair, and exhibitors will be encouraged keep their booths until the end of the COPs on 9 May 2024.
To request a booth see below section on registration.
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 Fair is open to Parties and observers to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions. Requests for booths should be submitted using this link at the latest by Friday, 14 February 2025, providing a short description of the activities and or/work on promoting the objectives of the BRS Conventions that will be displayed.
Following past practice, a participation fee will be charged to participating organizations. Information will be provided to those submitting an application to request a booth. Please note that applications for a booth received before 15 January 2025 will benefit from an early bird fee. Should you have any other queries please contact the Secretariat at: mea-brs-communications@un.org and indicate in the subject “Make Visible the Invisible Fair”.
Further information on the 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 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.