The Nineteenth World Meteorological Congress (Cg-19), the supreme body of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), will be held from 22 May to 2 June 2023 at the International Conference Centre of Geneva (CICG) 17, rue de Varembé, Geneva, Switzerland.
The World Meteorological Congress is the general assembly of delegates representing all Members (States and Territories) that meets in ordinary sessions once every four years.
More information on the meeting venue, CICG, can be found under the section CICG of this website.
The opening of Cg-19 will take place on Monday, 22 May 2023 at 9 a.m.
Congress will be preceded by the Forty-third session of the Financial Advisory Committee (FINAC-43, 19 and 20 May 2023), open to all WMO Members, which will be held at the WMO headquarters.
Election logistics
Here is a short video on the logistics for the election.
Information on registration and credentials
Online pre-registration through the WMO Online Registration System is required for all participants from Members. More information concerning online pre-registration is provided under the section Online Registration and Credentials. The pre-registered participants will be able to complete their registration and collect their badges at the designated registration desk at the meeting venue (CICG, Geneva, Switzerland) starting from 07:30 am on 22 May 2023. Only holders of badges issued by the Conference Registration and Information Desk will be admitted to meetings. All badges are strictly personal and non-transferable.
The registration of participants to this meeting will open as follows:
19 to 20 May: 07:30 - 17:30 (at WMO)
21 May: 14:00 - 17:30 (at CICG)
22 May to 26 May: 07:30 - 17:30 (at CICG)
27 May: 08:00 - 16:00 (at CICG)
29 May to 2 June: 07:30 - 17:30 (at CICG)
Tentative workplan
The tentative work plan for the session is provided in the Tentative Workplan section (left-hand menu) of this website. The tentative work plan is subject to changes, as it provides only an initial indication of the meetings and agenda items that will be taken up at the session.
How to download documents?
Transportation from airport
Participants are recommended to arrive at Geneva Airport. More information on the airport can be found here
To arrive to CICG, following options are available:
- Bus 5: Departing from the airport and getting off at the stop Vermont
- By taxi: Around 15 minutes (depending on traffic)
Hotel reservation
Hotel accommodation in Geneva and the surrounding area may be scarce. Please inquire with the hotels to see if it is possible to have special UN rates. Please find below the list of some of the hotels located in the vicinity of WMO.
1. Hotel Ibis Genève Centre Lac - Rue De Berne 26, Pâquis, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
2. Hotel Drake-Longchamp - Rue Butini 7, Pâquis, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
3. Hotel Ibis Genève Centre Nations - Rue du Grand Pré 33-35, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
4. Hotel Les Nations - Rue du Grand Pré 62, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
5. Hotel Eden - Rue de Lausanne 135, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
6. Hotel Mon Repos - Rue de Lausanne 131, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Entry requirements and health requirements and COVID-19 restrictions
Visa to Switzerland
Switzerland applies Schengen regulations for the issuance of visas. This means that all participants requiring a visa to enter Switzerland should apply for their visa directly to the Embassy or Consulate-General of Switzerland in their country. In cases where no Swiss Embassy or Consulate is available, participants should apply to the country designated by Switzerland to handle visa applications.
It is recommended that delegates inform themselves on the relevant appointment system and procedures as early as possible, to ensure that the visa may be issued in a timely manner.
Additional information regarding entry visas for Switzerland and Swiss representation abroad may be found through the following links:
Special circumstances: In those cases where no diplomatic relations exist between a Member and Switzerland, or where a Member considers that some difficulties may be experienced in obtaining visas, delegates can submit a visa request to Switzerland through the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization.
Such requests shall contain all the necessary details: name, surname, date and place of birth, father's name, nationality, passport number, date and place of issue, expiry date, profession, place where the visa is to be issued, and duration of stay in Switzerland.
Health requirements and Covid-19 related issues
Up-to-date information on international travel and health requirements are provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) at the following websites:
In Switzerland, there are currently no restrictions in place related to COVID-19. Masks are not compulsory, including public transport. There is also no COVID-19 certificate requirement so you can move freely without restrictions. Any update on COVID-19 specific information will be published on the
Swiss Mission’s website
Other practical information
Time Zone
Geneva is in Central European Summer Time (CEST) during the summer time (starting from 26 March 2023, 03:00). CEST is 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+2).
Weather
MeteoSuisse provides regular weather updates through its mobile phone applications and through the website of
MeteoSuisse.
Currency
The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF, SFr.). The euro is also accepted in most shops, but at a higher price. Check www.xe.com for the most up-to-date exchange rates. Most transactions in the city are conducted in cash and credit cards. ATMs are widely available throughout the city. There is an ATM (UBS) just outside CICG.
Electricity
Power systems are generally 230 volts and 50 Hz. An adaptor may be necessary. Participants are advised to bring their own plug adapters to plug into Swiss power sockets. Information on the appropriate plugs can be found here.
List of participants
A provisional list of participants will be uploaded on the session website shortly after the beginning of the session. This list will be updated on a daily basis.
Survey
A survey will be sent to all participants who have attended the sessions at the end of the session.
Contact information
Questions regarding the registration, please contact the WMO Conference Services at registration@wmo.int
Questions regarding the documentation and comments on the session documents, please use plenary@wmo.int
Questions relating to elections, please contact the WMO Cabinet cabinet@wmo.int