Accessibility is a fundamental principle ensuring equal access and inclusion for all individuals. Removing barriers to facilities, services, and information is essential for the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in society.
The United Nations Office at Geneva is dedicated to creating an accessible and inclusive environment across all aspects of its work. This commitment extends to physical spaces, services, and digital platforms, ensuring that all individuals, including persons with disabilities, can fully engage. As part of this effort, UN Geneva continues to enhance web accessibility across its online platforms in line with UN system-wide initiatives.
Physical Environment and Services
ARRIVING AT PALAIS DES NATIONS
To receive your access badge, present your passport or national ID and e-mail notification with the QR code (or UN Event Pass) at Pregny Gate. Use the accessible line to proceed to the I.D. Help Desk where you will collect your badge before entering the Palais des Nations.
A registered support person may accompany you with their own national ID and QR code.
Meeting participants requiring vehicle access due to reduced mobility should indicate this in their Indico.UN registration form. The meeting secretariat must inform the Security and Safety Service in advance.
Persons with disabilities receive priority access at Pregny Gate and are provided with a Palais map indicating accessible routes, doors, elevators, and restrooms. Priority parking is available for those driving.
For current opening hours of Palais des Nations services, please refer to services operating hours page.
Pregny Gate – Located uphill from most buildings. Use the ramp on the left side of the Pregny Gate building to reach the exit gate. If assistance is needed, call Security on the intercom. Note that the gate opens towards you.
Peace Gate – This route is flat, but accessible paths from the E-building may be affected by renovation works.
PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY AND MOBILITY
UN Geneva is investing great efforts to improve physical accessibility to the Palais des Nations for persons with disabilities. Improved signage has been implemented throughout the premises, including tactile paths and Braille orientation tables, as well as signage indicating elevators and accessible restrooms.
Currently, the Palais des Nations is undergoing renovation and accessibility is more limited.
Accessible Doors
Open access 8:00 a.m. - 7:00p.m.: Doors A11 I H60
Accessible Toilets
Door A11 | 3rd floor
Door H60 | All floors
Priority parking
For persons with disabilities is available nearby the accessible doors.
ACCESSIBLE ROUTES FROM THE PREGNY GATE TO YOUR MEETING ROOM
- After entering through Pregny Gate, continue straight. Cross the yellow pedestrian path.
- When you reach the sign marker that reads ‘E39-E40’, turn left.
- Follow the path down the hill until you reach the ‘A17’ sign marker.
- Turn right to cross the length of the car park and enter through door A15.
- Take the lift to level 3 and turn right upon exit.
- Follow the hallway and enter your destination room on the right.
- Room IV is beyond the Delegates’ Lounge, round the corner and at the end of the corridor leading to the left.
- After entering through Pregny Gate, continue straight. Cross the yellow pedestrian path.
- When you reach the sign marker that reads ‘E39-E40’, turn left.
- Follow the path down the hill until you reach the ‘A17’ sign marker.
- Turn right to cross the length of the car park and enter through door A15.
- Take the lift to level 5.
Pregny gate -> Assembly Hall:
- Pregny gate has an elevator at your disposal, should you require it.
- After entering through Pregny Gate, continue straight. Cross the two consecutive yellow pedestrian paths.
- Turn left on the sidewalk, temporarily following the directions for E and H building.
- Cross the two consecutive yellow pedestrian paths and then turn right directly after.
- Turn right again, walking along the parking lot, passing next to door A17 and then turn right.
- Enter the A building through the door A15 with will be on your left.
- Once inside the building, turn left go to the end and then turn left.
- Take the elevator which will be on your left and go to the 3rd floor.
- Exiting the elevator to your right and turn right.
- You should see “Salle des Assemblées” written on the wall of you, the Assembly Hall entry will be on your left.
- After entering through Pregny Gate, continue straight. Cross the yellow pedestrian path.
- When you reach the sign marker that reads ‘E39-E40’, turn left.
- Follow the path down the hill until you reach the ‘A17’ sign marker.
- Turn right to cross the length of the car park and enter through door A15.
- The Concordia Rooms are located on this level.
Access to the Human Rights Council
This guide produced by OHCHR focuses on access to Assembly Hall at the Palais des Nations. In addition, the guide provides general useful information on accessibility at the Palais des Nations and within the city of Geneva on pages 27-37.
Accessible Geneva
TRANSPORTS PUBLICS GENEVOIS
Public transport in Geneva is accessible. Buses are equipped with low floors and access ramps, and you can easily use them to reach the United Nations.
The nearest bus stop to Pregny Gate is called Appia. Bus lines 8, 20, 22, 60, and 61 stop here.
The nearest bus stop to the Peace Gate is Nations, located near the Broken Chair statue on the Place des Nations and the alleyway of flags. You can take a direct bus or tram to reach Nations on several different lines. This includes buses 5, 8, 11, 20, 22, and 60, as well as tram 15.
It takes around 10 minutes to walk from Peace Gate to Pregny Gate and vice versa. However, the path has a gradient and could prove difficult for persons with reduced mobility.
- More information on mobility
- Routes and timetables
- A smartphone application is also available for iOS and Android (download the “tpg” app). It contains a route planner that can help you select the right bus to take. You can also use this app to purchase tickets.
- Please note that you must purchase a ticket before boarding the bus. You can buy a ticket using the tpg app, or you can use the orange ticket vending machine at the bus stop. There is no way to purchase a ticket after you have boarded the bus.
TRAVEL TO AND WITHIN GENEVA
OHCHR has compiled a useful list of resources to make travel to and within Geneva easier.
Questions or Comments?
CONTACT US
Please share your questions and feedback to help us improve accessibility for all at UN Geneva. Please also contact us if you encounter accessibility barriers on www.ungeneva.org. We are consistently trying to improve our services; if you have any feedback on how we can do better, let us know.
If you are interested in how to make your website more accessible, resources for improving web accessibility are available here: https://www.un.org/en/webaccessibility
FEEDBACK SURVEY FOR MEETING PARTICIPANTS
If you attended a meeting or event at UN Geneva, please help us improve accessibility by completing a short survey. You can also scan the QR code below on your phone to access the survey.
