Oslo Conference

First international follow-up conference

Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the
Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in
Populated Areas (EWIPA)

22-24 April 2024
Oslo, Norway

State Registration
Organisation/Academia/Private Sector Registration

Registration should be completed as early as possible and at the latest by 15 March 2024

Taking the Political Declaration forward

The Oslo conference will bring together senior State officials and experts from ministries of
defence and foreign affairs, armed forces as well as international and regional organisations, civil society, private sector, and academia.

The aim of the conference is to take stock of the Declaration’s implementation, to discuss progress, opportunities and challenges, and the future follow-up of the Declaration as well as to provide a space to discuss the central commitments of the Declaration, and building a shared understanding of the priority areas and key issues in implementing the Declaration, including different regional experiences and approaches.

Another key aim is to foster cooperation between States and other participants to promote the awareness of the Declaration and to ensure that it gains more support and attention in the years to come. As such the conference will be a key opportunity for States that have not yet endorsed the Declaration to announce their formal endorsement in the leadup to, or during the Oslo conference.

Overview

  • 22 April
    • Protection Forum 2024 – Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from Explosive Weapons
      The International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW) and the Norwegian Red Cross will co-host a Protection Forum from 12:00-16:00 CET. Participants can register here.
    • Official Welcome Reception
      Organized by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for all participants of the Oslo Conference
      Time: 19:00-21:00, Venue: «Høymagasinet», at Myntgata 7
  • 23 April
    • The Oslo Conference
      (Programme will be made available shortly)
  • 24 April
    • Thematic Workshops
      Civil society organisations, States, UN agencies and the ICRC will organize two thematic workshops on the topics of 1) military policies and practice and 2) humanitarian access and assistance that will allow for more in-depth discussion on these central issues. The workshops will take place over the first half of the day. Participants can select either workshop regardless of affiliation and can register here.

Sponsorship Programme

A Sponsorship Programme to support the participation of State representatives at the first international follow up conference of the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA), is available.

The Sponsorship Programme is administered by the UNODA with the financial contribution of Norway and focuses on States qualifying as Least Developed Countries (LDC), as well as Small Island Developing States (SID), as per the Development Assistance Committee (DAC).

States meeting these criteria are requested to tick this option when registering through the online registration form, and are encouraged to present their applications for sponsorship in the form of a Note Verbale and through the below application form to the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) at ewipa@un.org.   

Sponsorship Programme Application Form

Practical Information

The conference will take place at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in Oslo.

Endorsing States are invited to register two attendees. Participation by foreign ministry, defence ministry and/or armed forces personnel is encouraged.

Non-endorsing States, UN entities and agencies, civil society representatives, academia and private sector actors are encouraged to join and may register up to two attendees.

All participants must register (at the link above) and be approved by the conference organisers.

Conference Venue / Registration / Badges

The conference takes place at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Oslo 
Address: Sonja Henies plass 3, 0185 Oslo, Norway 
Phone:  +47 22 058000 
Website: https://www.radissonblu.com/en/plazahotel-oslo 

All participants to the conference must register. For security and logistical reasons all registered participants will be issued with a conference badge. All delegates must present a valid ID card or passport when they collect the conference badges.

The registration desk is located in the lobby at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel

Opening times of the registration/information desk:

  • 22 April: 09:00-21:00  
  • 23 April: 07:00- 21:00 
Interpretation

The conference will be conducted in English. French, Spanish and Arabic simultaneous translation services will be available.  

Visa

Kindly note that it is your responsibility to apply for and obtain a visitor’s visa in advance of your travel to Norway. General information regarding visa requirements for Norway can be found on the website of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). A list of countries and special passports that are exempted from the visa requirement can be found here. To facilitate the application process, please consult the nearest Norwegian embassy’s website for information about the specific procedures and documents needed in your country. The processing time for visa applications is usually up to 15 days but may be up to 30 days if the application is sent to the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration. It is therefore recommended to apply for a visa as early as possible.  

Accommodation

The EWIPA Conference will take place at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Oslo. To make your reservation at the venue or a nearby hotel, please use the links below. April is a busy time in Oslo, so we kindly ask that you make your reservation as soon as possible to secure your room. Please note that in order to complete a successful hotel reservation a valid credit card must be registered. Your card will not be charged but used as a guarantee to reserve the room.

We can offer discount prices at two hotels – please note that the rooms are subject to availability and expiry date. 

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel
Expiry date: 25. March 2024 

Thon Hotel Terminus
Expiry date 24. March 2024   

Kindly note that:

  • Changes and cancellations: If you wish to change or cancel your reservation, please contact the hotel directly.
  • Payment: All the cost for the room and for incidental costs must be paid directly to the hotel.
  • No hotel reservation or travel arrangements will be made by the Conference Team
Airport Transfer

The most convenient way to travel to the city and to Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, is the Airport Express Train, which departs Oslo Airport Gardermoen every 10 minutes during peak travel times. The ride takes approximately 20 minutes. Exit the platform at the Oslo Central Station. 
 
For more information about ground transportation, please see the following website here.  
How to get from the Oslo Central Station to the conference venue – please see the following map. 

Other practical information

For information about embassies, currency exchange, VAT refund and other useful services - Please see this web site.  
 

WIFI will be available in the meeting room and hotel room.

Please remember to bring a power cord and adaptor. We recommend getting a universal plug converter.  

If a security or health related issue arises contact any of the staff or the information desk. They will help you. During nighttime, please contact the reception.

Contact

For more information about the conference, please contact ewipa2024@mfa.no.

For questions regarding registration, hotel reservation or other practical issues, please
contact ewipa2024@gyro.no.

For more information on the declaration, steps to endorse, and the sponsorship programme, please contact ewipa@un.org.

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