Practical information

Background document for NGOs attending MC13

Click here for more details on what to expect at MC13, including detailed information on the conference venue, key activities and how to collect your badge.

Accreditation

The accreditation process for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) wishing to attend MC13 is closed.

Requirements to enter the UAE

Accreditation for MC13 does not automatically grant entry into the UAE.  Further information on visa requirements is available here.

Accommodation in Abu Dhabi

NGO representatives attending MC13 are advised to use the ADNEC hotel booking platform to reserve their accommodation in Abu Dhabi.

Facilities for NGOs

Reserving a room

Three rooms will be available for accredited NGO representatives upon request. One theatre-style room with a capacity of approximately 70 people, and two meeting rooms with capacities of 30 and 60 people respectively.

• Rooms can be reserved for a maximum of 1.5 hours.
• For the theatre-style room, priority will be given to requests for public seminar-style events. 
• The meeting rooms will be allocated on a first-come, first-served.
• The WTO Secretariat reserves its right to refuse booking requests.

Accredited NGOs should send their meeting requests to: [email protected] with the subject line: NGO centre booking request + name of organization. Please indicate whether the request is for a public or private meeting and the proposed format.

Background information

The Ministerial Conference is the WTO's top decision-making body. The Marrakesh Agreement establishing the organization instructs members to hold one at least every two years. The event is attended by trade ministers and other senior officials from the 164 members of the organization.

At these gatherings, ministers review the current work of the WTO, take decisions on issues which the WTO delegations have put before them and, if appropriate, may take action to bring new members into the WTO.

For more details, consult the Ministerial Conference webpage or get in touch with the MC13 External Relations team ([email protected]).