Technology Fair

A Technology Fair  will be held during the 2017 COPs,  from 27 to 29 April 2017, at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG), 17 rue de Varembé, Geneva, Switzerland to highlight the importance of the role of external partners such as, industry and the private sector in the successful implementation of the conventions.

The objective of the Technology Fair is to promote the transfer of technology for the implementation of the conventions by  providing an opportunity to engage the private sector and industry as well as other relevant partners such  as academia, research institutions, non-governmental organizations as well as intergovernmental organizations in the implementation of the conventions show casing available 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 as well as developing partnerships to deal with particular issues.

The Fair is expected to be 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 to promote the transfer of technology, competitions and screening of videos.

Booths

A maximum of 20 exhibition booths will be made available for interested partners to showcase their activities during the three days of the Fair. The booths will be open throughout the 3 days.

Exhibitors will be encouraged to set up their booths with interactive demonstrations showcasing their fields of expertise.

Requests for booths should be submitted to the Secretariat at the latest by Friday, 3 March 2017 to:

María Cristina CÁRDENAS FISCHER
Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions
E-Mail: maria-cristina.cardenas@brsmeas.org
Phone: +41 (22) 917 8635 

Activities

The Fair will open with a ceremony and a reception at lunch time on 27 April 2017 and will be closed with a reception on the evening of 29 April 2017. Programme of activities

Interactive activities will take place during the lunch period between 13.00 h and 15.00 h and after the afternoon plenary session between 18.00 h and 20.00 h.

Interactive Panel discussions on topical issues involving high level representatives from all sectors will be scheduled for a maximum duration each of 60 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 possible solutions and alternatives as well as opportunities for technology transfer for the implementation of the Conventions. 

The target audience for the Fair are delegates and observers attending the 2017 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 would be invited especially to attend the event.