| The General Assembly and its Main Committees | Conference services |
| Media, public and library services | Facilities and services for delegations |

Introductory information

United Nations Headquarters occupies an 18-acre tract of land on Manhattan Island. The site is bounded on the south by 42nd Street, on the north by 48th Street, on the west by what was formerly a part of First Avenue and is known now as United Nations Plaza, and on the east by the East River and Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive. The site is owned by the United Nations and is international territory.

The six main structures, all interconnected, comprising Headquarters are the General Assembly building, which contains, besides the plenary hall, a large conference room and four medium-sized meeting rooms; the long, low Conference building parallel to the river, which contains council chambers, conference rooms, lounges and restaurants; the 39-storey skyscraper office building, which houses the Secretariat; the Library building; the North Lawn extension; and the South Annex building. The General Assembly Hall and the council chambers are on the second floor level while all the other conference rooms in both buildings are on the concourse level. All conference rooms, council chambers and the plenary hall may be reached from the Delegates’ Entrance in the General Assembly building.

Several buildings adjacent to the Headquarters also house some of the United Nations offices including the DC1 and DC2 which are located along 44th Street, UNITAR, the FF Building and Uganda House located along 45th Street, and the Alcoa Building located along 48th Street.

Entrance

Authorization to enter and to park at United Nations Headquarters requires that delegation cars have United Nations diplomatic licence plates (“D” plates) as well as an identification decal for the fifty-ninth session of the General Assembly.

Building passes and admission to meetings

United Nations building passes for members of official delegations to regular and special sessions of the General Assembly and all other calendar meetings at Headquarters are issued by the Protocol and Liaison Service (room S-0201, ext. 3.7181).

In order to accredit delegates to a specific United Nations calendar meeting, permanent and observer missions must submit to Protocol properly filled-out SG.6 (Registration of Members of Delegations to Temporary Meetings) forms, which can be obtained from Protocol in English, French and Spanish. SG.6 forms should be sent along with a covering letter, addressed to the Chief of Protocol and signed by the head of chancery or administrative officer, indicating names, functional titles and affiliation of all participants, at least 48 hours in advance. Upon authorization, the forms should be brought by United Nations Permanent and Observer Missions to the United Nations Pass and Identification Office for processing. Delegates participating at a United Nations meeting for the first time must appear in person at the Pass and Identification Office with the authorized SG.6 form to be photographed and receive a pass. Passes for delegates who have already been entered into the electronic system of the Pass and ID Office may be collected by the representatives of Permanent/Observer Missions on the basis of the authorized SG.6 forms.

Upon request, special VIP passes without photos are issued by Protocol to heads of State and Government, Vice-Presidents and crown princes/
princesses participating in United Nations conferences. Participants at the level of deputy prime ministers and cabinet ministers are issued VIP passes with photographs. An appropriate request along with two passport-size photographs indicating names and titles should be sent to the Protocol and Liaison Service 24 hours in advance of the issuance. It is not necessary to fill out SG.6 forms for the above-mentioned categories of participants. Spouses of delegates are entitled to the same type of pass.

Media Correspondents with the written and online press, film, television, photo, radio and other media organizations are accredited by the Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit of the News and Media Division, Department of Public Information (room S-0250, ext. 3.7164, 3.6934, 3.6936, 3.6937, 3.3866, 3.8063, 3.7463, 3.2870 and 3.2392). To attend open meetings you may call the Media Liaison desk (ext. 3.3353, 3.7756).

Designated representatives of non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council are issued grounds passes through the Non-Governmental Organizations Section of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (room DC1-1480, ext. 3.3192).

Designated representatives of non-governmental organizations associated with the Department of Public Information are issued grounds passes on an annual basis through the Non-Governmental Organizations Section of the Civil Society Service, Outreach Division of the Department of Public Information (DPI/NGO Resource Centre, room L1B-31, ext. 3.7234, 3.7078 and 3.7233).

Security

The United Nations Security and Safety Service operates on a 24-hour basis. The Office of the Chief of the Service is located in room C-110B (ext. 3.7526) on the main level of the Conference building. The Administrative Operations Offices, taking enquiries for same-day lost and found items, requests for opening doors after regular office hours or on weekends and returning, after the close of business, IDs previously left at the Visitors’ Information Desk before it closes for the day, are located in GA-100 (ext. 3.6666), situated opposite the tour pay-desk in the Visitors’ Lobby. All in-person inquiries should be directed initially to these offices. In addition to providing security and safety on a 24-hour basis at Headquarters, the Service will:

(a) Issue grounds passes, which members of delegations may obtain on the first floor of the UNITAR building, 45th Street and First Avenue (First Avenue entrance) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. from the first day of the fifty-ninth session of the General Assembly until its recess in December and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. for the remainder of the year, after being authorized by the Protocol and Liaison Service;

(b) Receive official telephone calls, telegrams and cables requiring follow-up action after normal working hours;

(c) Assist in locating and notifying the Organization’s senior officials in an emergency;

(d) Liaise with national security representatives regarding protection arrangements for dignitaries;

(e) Liaise with local authorities whenever outside emergency assistance (e.g. ambulance, medical, police) is required;

(f) Handle lost and found property. During regular working hours, same-day lost property should be handed over or claimed from GA-100 (ext. 3.6666). At all other times from the first floor of the UNITAR building (ext. 3.7533).

Grounds passes are subject to check at all entry points. Delegates are expected to wear their grounds passes visibly on their outermost garment while on the premises.

Missing grounds passes should be reported without delay to the Special Services Unit (room S-0101, ext. 3.7531).

Delegates are reminded not to leave briefcases or any valuable items unattended in conference rooms.

Information

(Telephones and desk locations)

The Information Unit (ext. 3.7113) will advise on:

(a) The location and telephone numbers of delegations;
(b) The office or official to be contacted for technical queries;
(c) The location and telephone extensions of services, information media and United Nations clubs.

For information concerning the location and telephone numbers of Secretariat members, dial “0”.

Information desks

• General Assembly building Public lobby (ext. 3.7758)
• UNDC 1 building Office lobby (ext. 3.8998)
• UNDC 2 building Office lobby (ext. 3.4989)
• UNICEF House Office lobby ((212) 326-7524)

Bulletin boards displaying the programme of meetings are located on the first floor of the General Assembly building just inside the Delegates’ Entrance and on the concourse level between the General Assembly building and the Conference building.

Medical Services

The Medical Services Division provides emergency medical assistance to delegates and members of diplomatic missions to the United Nations.

The Medical Clinics are situated at the following locations:

Location

1. Secretariat Building - Room S-0535, Telephone (212) 963-7090
2. DC1 Building - Room DC1-1190, Telephone (212) 963-8990
3. UNICEF House - Room H-0545, Telephone (212) 326-7541

Time

1. Secretariat Building
The Medical Clinic is open on working days from 8.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Physicians are available from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m.

2. DC1 Building
The Medical Clinic is open on working days from 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

3. UNICEF House
The Medical Clinic is open on working days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

During the General Assembly (September to December) the opening hours of the Medical Clinic at the Secretariat are as follows:

Monday to Friday: 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

In case of an emergency within and outside normal working hours:

– Call United Nations Security at extension 3.6666 if you are in the Secretariat Building; or
– Call 911 if located in any other building.

Facilities for the disabled

Facilities available in the meeting areas are easily accessible restroom facilities are located in the General Assembly building first basement in the public concourse area, and in the “Neck” linking the General Assembly building and Conference building in the First Basement. The restroom at the rear of the General Assembly Hall is also accessible.

In the Conference building, the restrooms on the second floor are accessible to the handicapped.

Elevators accessing the first floor and above in the Conference and General Assembly buildings are attended.

The Visitor’s Entrance at 46th Street and First Avenue includes a ramp, allowing access both to the General Assembly and to the gardens.

Automatic teller machines, easily accessible for the disabled, are located at the south end of the main corridor on the first floor of the Conference building.

Special ramps are provided for access to conference room podiums where required.

Requests to connect hearing aid equipment to conference room audio distribution systems should be addressed to the Broadcast and Conference Support Section, e-mail: request-for-services@un.org (room L-1B-30, ext. 3.9485 or 3.7453)

Protocol and Liaison Service

The Protocol and Liaison Service is part of the Executive Office of the Secretary-General. Inter alia, its functions include the following:

(a) Prepares programmes and coordinates the visits to Headquarters by heads of State/Government, cabinet ministers and other high-level officials throughout the year, as well as the programme for their spouses;

(b) Issues VIP passes for heads of State/Government, cabinet ministers and other high-level dignitaries and their spouses and authorizes the issuance of grounds passes to the entourages of VIPs and to all delegates of Member/observer States, intergovernmental organizations, specialized agencies and associate members of regional commissions, except media and security personnel;

(c) Accredits members of delegations to regular, special and emergency special sessions of the General Assembly and to all other United Nations scheduled and ad hoc meetings held at Headquarters; issues also courtesy tickets to spouses and guests of chairpersons of delegations to listen to their statements upon written request in advance;

(d) Prepares and coordinates the protocol activities of the Secretary-General, including presentations of credentials and bilateral and multilateral meetings; accompanies the Secretary-General on some of his official foreign travel; and provides protocol coverage of his activities at major international events;

(e) Provides protocol coverage for the activities and high-level meetings of the Deputy Secretary-General;

(f) Organizes State luncheons/dinners/receptions and other social events hosted by the Secretary-General, as well as those for spouses hosted by the spouse of the Secretary-General;

(g) Prepares and coordinates special events and official ceremonies held at Headquarters such as admissions of new Member States, flag-raising ceremonies, treaty-signings, and unveilings of official gifts to the United Nations;

(h) Prepares for publication comprehensive lists of delegations attending the sessions of the General Assembly;

(i) Processes requests for privileges and immunities for diplomatic personnel, and facilitates adjustments of their visa status;

(j) Authorizes the issuance of parking decals to vehicles owned by diplomatic personnel and, under exceptional circumstances, to rented vehicles;

(k) Issues protocol passes to delegates to bilateral meetings with senior officials of the Organization and to guests of diplomatic personnel of Permanent/Observer Missions or officials visiting Headquarters, upon request, for short durations;

(l) Provides guidance and advice on United Nations protocol usage and practice, diplomatic etiquette, order of precedence and the use of the United Nations flag.

Chief of Protocol
Ms. Aminata Djermakoye [ext. 3.7170; room S-0201A]

I. Associate Chief of Protocol
Mr. Paulose T. Peter [ext. 3.7179; room S-0201B]

Observers

Holy See
Asian Development Bank
Customs Cooperation Council
International Committee of the Red Cross
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
League of Arab States
Pacific Islands Forum


II. Protocol and Liaison Officers

A. Ms. Michèle Fatima Alzouma [ext. 3.7180; room S-0201N]

Observers

African Development Bank
African Union
Community of Sahelo-Saharan States
Economic Community of Central African States
East African Community
International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)
International Hydrographic Organization
International Organization of la Francophonie
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
Organization of the Islamic Conference
Partners in Population and Development

B. Mrs. Almudena de Ameller [ext. 3.7178; room S-0201C]

Observers

Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean
Andean Community
Association of Caribbean States
Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
Central American Integration System
Council of Europe
European Community
Inter-American Development Bank
Latin American Economic System (SELA)
Latin American Parliament
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
Organization of American States

C. Ms. Li Xiaoyi [ext 3.5941; room S-0201O]

Observers

African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States
Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization
Commonwealth Secretariat
Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries
International Centre for Migration Policy Development
International Organization for Migration
International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Permanent Court of Arbitration

D. Mr. Fariz Mirsalayev [ext. 3.7177; room S-0201M]

Observers

Palestine
Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization
Commonwealth of Independent States
Economic Cooperation Organization
GUUAM
Inter-Parliamentary Union
International Development Law Institute
International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance
International Seabed Authority
Sovereign Military Order of Malta

List of permanent missions to the United Nations

The Protocol and Liaison Service publishes twice a year a handbook entitled “Permanent Missions to the United Nations” (Blue Book). This publication lists the diplomatic personnel of Member and non-member States, the staff of intergovernmental organizations accredited to the United Nations as observers and the staff of liaison offices of United Nations specialized agencies, as well as the membership of the principal organs of the United Nations.

A weekly addendum to the “Blue Book” records all interim movements of personnel and changes in address, telephone/telefax numbers, national holiday, etc.

Credentials

Credentials are required for representatives of States members of the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Trusteeship Council. For the sessions of the General Assembly, credentials of representatives (issued by the head of State or Government or by the Minister for Foreign Affairs) should be submitted to the Secretary-General not less than one week before the opening of the session through the Secretary of the Credentials Committee, Office of Legal Affairs (room S-3420A) or the Protocol and Liaison Service (room S-0201). A copy of the credentials may be sent to the Protocol and Liaison Service for accreditation purposes.

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