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23 to 24 May 2024 | By invitation only

United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand

To meet the commitments of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the private sector will need to play a greater role. Inclusive businesses are companies that: “provide goods, services, and livelihoods on a commercially viable basis, either at scale or scalable, to people living at the base of the economic pyramid making them part of the value chain of companies’ core business as suppliers, distributors, retailers, or customers.” 

There are valuable models of inclusive business – including many agribusinesses - across Asia and the Pacific that are commercially viable and have social impact at scale. Inclusive business models are effectively supporting smallholder farmers, providing them with technical assistance, access to finance, and facilitating integration into regional and global value chains. Inclusive businesses are harnessing technologies and business innovations to improve productivity and create entrepreneurship opportunities. 

Access to finance remains an issue for many inclusive businesses seeking to expand their operations or deepen their impact. Business faces multiple challenges including the cost of capital and the scarce availability of affordable finance beyond the early stage. Investment readiness is also an issue, with companies facing difficulties in measuring and demonstrating impact.  

The Impact Harvest Forum will identify opportunities to invest in and finance inclusive business models and facilitate their scaling up. 

Objectives 

  • To explore opportunities for investing in inclusive businesses in agriculture and food systems. 

  • To identify concrete actions to promote and facilitate investments in inclusive businesses. 

  • To inspire more inclusive business models through masterclasses and knowledge sharing.  

  • To facilitate networking and explore partnerships among investors, governments agencies, development partners and firms.  

  • To showcase inclusive business models in agriculture and food systems.  
     

Participants 

The forum will welcome 150 participants including business leaders, impact investors, government agencies, financial institutions, development partners, and inclusive business facilitators.  

Expressions of interest in participation are currently open: To learn more, please contact Mr. Ishraq Fazal (email: [email protected]), with copy to Mr. Ignacio Blanco (email: [email protected]).

For more information about the ESCAP inclusive business programme, please visit: https://unescap.org/projects/promoting-IB-in-AP 

You may view the Impact Harvest Brochure through the link. 

Impact Harvest Forum Brochure

 

23 May 2024
09:00
09:20
Opening Remarks
Conference Room 4

Speakers:

  • H.E. Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP
  • Mr. Hari Menon, Director, India Country Office, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (TBC) 

MC: 

  • Ms. Marta Pérez Cusó, Economic Affairs Officer, ESCAP
09:20
09:35
Keynote Speaker
Conference Room 4
09:35
10:45
High-level Panel on Policy Perspectives on Fostering Inclusive Business Growth
Conference Room 4

Several governments have put in place policies, strategies and programmes to promote Inclusive Business (IB). For example, ASEAN economic ministers have endorsed the Guidelines for Promoting Inclusive Business in ASEAN. In this High-level panel discussion, the panellists from the public and private sectors will share their experience with developing these types of business models, as well as the strategies that they are implementing to promote IB, especially in agriculture and food systems.  

10:45
11:15
Networking Coffee/Tea Break – Pitching
11:15
12:30
Masterclass 1 - Recognising Inclusive Businesses: Building Accreditation Systems
Meeting Room A

Explore why the public sector seeks to implement accreditation systems and what attracts private sector businesses to participate.  This masterclass will draw from the United Nations ESCAP accreditation manual and real-world experiences, offering interactive exercises and discussions to deepen your understanding of accreditation processes and their practical implications.  

Facilitated by ESCAP and Endeva

Masterclass 2 - Measuring Impact: Effective Measurement and Reporting for Businesses
Meeting Room H

Starting the journey of effective impact measurement can be daunting for inclusive businesses, facing hurdles in articulating data efficiently, standardizing accounting methods and estimating impact. Yet, with stakeholders like impact investors demanding impact reporting, the pressure is on.  This session offers actionable insights that draw from peer perspectives, and tools to navigate these challenges, including on how to choose frameworks, key indicators, and professionalize impact measurement systems. 

Facilitated by Impact Hub

12:30
13:30
Lunch Break
Reception Hall
13:30
15:00
Presentation and Fireside Chat - Measuring Impact: Valuing Impact in Investment Decisions
Conference Room 4

Impact investing is marked by an intentional desire to contribute to measurable social and/or environmental benefits which require utilizing data to design investments that maximize these benefits, as well as their commercial return. This panel offers practical insights into how impact investors integrate Impact Measurement & Management (IMM) into their processes and decisions, addressing challenges and recent benchmarks in the field. 

Facilitated by the Global Impact Investors Network (GIIN) 

Masterclass 3 - Investment Readiness Accelerator for Businesses
Meeting Room H

Facilitated by ANGIN 

15:00
15:30
Networking Coffee/Tea Break – Pitching
15:30
17:00
Co-Creation Workshop 1 - Designing Financial Incentives for Inclusive Businesses
Meeting Room A

In 2020, ASEAN economic ministers endorsed the Guidelines for Promoting Inclusive Business, which includes an array of policy instruments and financial incentives such as tax incentives, subsidies, facilitating access to capital and/or prioritization in public procurement, amongst others. This session explores the financial incentives currently used, addressing issues such as limited private investment, inequitable access to incentives, and the need to rethink the role of CSR.

Facilitated by raiSE and ESCAP

Matchmaking
Asia-Pacific Foyer

Unlocking the potential of inclusive business often hinges on finding the right financial backing. Through this tailored matchmaking exercise, there is the opportunity to network with investors and businesses, and cultivate relationships based on shared visions, expertise, and resources, and which have the potential to propel business towards its full potential. 

Facilitated by ANGIN

17:00
18:00
Cocktail
24 May 2024
09:00
09:15
Keynote Speaker
Conference Room 4
09:30
11:00
Co-Creation Workshop 2 - Designing Innovative Financing Mechanisms for Inclusive Businesses
Meeting Room A

Access to finance is key for businesses, particularly those with impact goals. Join this co creation workshop to explore existing investment tools, discuss their potential and hurdles, and to delve into factors like cost, design, due diligence, and regulations. This session aims to highlight available investment instruments for inclusive and sustainable businesses while pinpointing necessary adjustments and avenues for growth. 

Facilitated by India Impact Investors Council (IIC) and ESCAP

Masterclass 4 - Mastering Gender Lens Analysis for Businesses
Meeting Room H

This session will explore the fundamentals of gender-inclusive business practices, particularly within the agricultural sector, to foster gender equality. Attendees can expect a comprehensive framework for integrating gender inclusivity into agricultural practices, along with actionable entry points. Additionally, they will gain insights from inspiring case studies within the sector and access practical tools and resources to address specific gender-related challenges within their organizations. 

Facilitated by Value for Women

11:00
11:30
Networking Coffee/Tea Break – Pitching
11:30
13:00
Masterclass 5 - Empowering Portfolios: Mastering the Art of Gender Lens Investing
Meeting Room A

This session will offer attendees an opportunity to delve into the fundamentals of gender lens investing (GLI), from understanding its essence to navigating its implementation for fostering gender inclusion and enhancing business performance.  

Participants will gain insights into GLI's principles, acquire frameworks for fostering gender-inclusive practices within portfolio companies, draw inspiration from success stories in the agriculture sector, and access practical tools and resources to catalyze gender action among portfolio companies. 

Facilitated by Value for Women

Matchmaking
Asia-Pacific Foyer

Unlocking the potential of inclusive business often hinges on finding the right financial backing. Through this tailored matchmaking exercise, there is the opportunity to network with investors and businesses, and cultivate relationships based on shared visions, expertise, and resources, and which have the potential to propel business towards its full potential. 

Facilitated by ANGIN 

13:00
14:00
Networking Lunch
Reception Hall
14:00
15:30
Co-Creation Workshop 3 - Nurturing Impact through Accelerators: Seeding and Scaling up Inclusive Businesses
Meeting Room A

Private sector engagement in inclusive practices is essential for expanding access to affordable essential services and combating poverty on a large scale. It is vital that startups and existing business transition to impact-driven approaches. This session aims to examine the crucial role of incubators and accelerators in fostering inclusive businesses and to propose actionable steps that can be used by governments to enhance the promotion of impact-driven enterprises. 

Facilitated by Impact Hub and ESCAP

Matchmaking
Asia-Pacific Foyer

Unlocking the potential of inclusive business often hinges on finding the right financial backing. Through this tailored matchmaking exercise, there is the opportunity to network with investors and businesses, and cultivate relationships based on shared visions, expertise, and resources, and which have the potential to propel business towards its full potential. 

Facilitated by ANGIN

15:30
16:00
Networking Coffee/Tea Break – Pitching
16:00
17:00
Call to Action
Conference Room 4
17:00
17:30
Closing remarks
Conference Room 4
General

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is hosting The Impact Harvest Forum in Bangkok, Thailand from 23 – 24 May 2024, which aims to address the critical role of the private sector in achieving the commitments of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Focusing on inclusive businesses, which provide goods, services, and livelihoods to those at the base of the economic pyramid, the forum recognizes their potential to drive both commercial viability and social impact.

The forum will welcome 150 participants including business leaders, impact investors, government agencies, financial institutions, development partners, and inclusive business facilitators. 

The objective of the forum is to identify investment opportunities and financing mechanisms to support the growth and impact of inclusive businesses, ultimately fostering sustainable development and economic inclusion in the region.

Credentials

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is hosting The Impact Harvest Forum in Bangkok, Thailand from 23 – 24 May 2024, which aims to address the critical role of the private sector in achieving the commitments of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

Focusing on inclusive businesses, which provide goods, services, and livelihoods to those at the base of the economic pyramid, the forum recognizes their potential to drive both commercial viability and social impact.

The forum will welcome 150 participants including business leaders, impact investors, government agencies, financial institutions, development partners, and inclusive business facilitators. 

The objective of the forum is to identify investment opportunities and financing mechanisms to support the growth and impact of inclusive businesses, ultimately fostering sustainable development and economic inclusion in the region.

Registration and identification badges

Participation

Expressions of interest in participation are currently open: To learn more, please contact Mr. Ishraq Fazal (email: [email protected]), with copy to Mr. Ignacio Blanco (email: [email protected]). 

Please note that prior online registration is mandatory in line with standard security procedures to facilitate security clearance and entrance to the premises. Only duly registered participants will be permitted to attend the sessions.

Identification Badges

Participants registered online can obtain photo badges at the registration counter, located on the Ground Level, UNCC, from 08:00 to 10:00 hours on the session's opening day.

For identification and security reasons, all participants are required to always wear their meeting badges while they are in the UN complex, which applies to meetings and social functions. The loss of a meeting badge should be immediately communicated to the registration counter or the UN security, so that the incident can be recorded, and a new badge can be issued.

Communications

Participation

Expressions of interest in participation are currently open: To learn more, please contact Mr. Ishraq Fazal (email: [email protected]), with copy to Mr. Ignacio Blanco (email: [email protected]). 

Please note that prior online registration is mandatory in line with standard security procedures to facilitate security clearance and entrance to the premises. Only duly registered participants will be permitted to attend the sessions.

Identification Badges

Participants registered online can obtain photo badges at the registration counter, located on the Ground Level, UNCC, from 08:00 to 10:00 hours on the session's opening day.

For identification and security reasons, all participants are required to always wear their meeting badges while they are in the UN complex, which applies to meetings and social functions. The loss of a meeting badge should be immediately communicated to the registration counter or the UN security, so that the incident can be recorded, and a new badge can be issued.

Meeting documents

The secretariat has adopted a paperless approach to meetings. As a result, participants are expected to get acquainted with all the meeting documents prior to the meeting. Should participants wish hard copies of the documents, they are expected to bring them to the meeting. These documents will be made available prior to the forum at event webpage. 

Participants wishing to circulate any papers or literature at the meeting are requested to consult staff from the secretariat servicing the meeting for the necessary arrangements.

Daily subsistence allowance

The secretariat has adopted a paperless approach to meetings. As a result, participants are expected to get acquainted with all the meeting documents prior to the meeting. Should participants wish hard copies of the documents, they are expected to bring them to the meeting. These documents will be made available prior to the forum at event webpage. 

Participants wishing to circulate any papers or literature at the meeting are requested to consult staff from the secretariat servicing the meeting for the necessary arrangements.

Health and vaccination

Upon arrival at the port of entry in Thailand, participants who are nationals of or have traveled from/through countries listed below, which have been declared Yellow Fever infected areas, must provide an International Health Certificate proving that they have received a valid Yellow Fever vaccination at the Health Control Office upon arrival before proceeding to immigration. A valid vaccination certificate means that the vaccine was administered at least 10 days prior to travel to the affected country. The International Health Certificate must also be submitted together with the visa application form.

The countries/areas listed below have been declared yellow fever infected areas (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand dated 30 November 2022):

  1. Angola
  2. Argentina
  3. Benin
  4. Bolivia
  5. Brazil
  6. Burkina Faso
  7. Burundi
  8. Cameroon
  9. Central African Republic
  10. Chad
  11. Colombia
  12. Congo
  13. Republic of the Congo
  14. Cote d’Ivoire
  15. Ecuador
  16. Equatorial Guinea
  17. Ethiopia
  18. French Guiana
  19. Gabon
  20. Gambia
  21. Ghana
  22. Guinea
  23. Guinea-Bissau
  1. Guyana
  2. Kenya
  3. Liberia
  4. Mali
  5. Mauritania
  6. Niger
  7. Nigeria
  8. Panama
  9. Paraguay
  10. Peru
  11. Rwanda
  12. Sao Tome & Principe
  13. Senegal
  14. Sierra Leone
  15. Somalia
  16. Sudan
  17. Suriname
  18. Tanzania
  19. Togo
  20. Trinidad & Tobago
  21. Uganda
  22. Venezuela

Zika virus

Zika is endemic in Thailand and cases have been reported amongst tourists. All travelers are advised to protect themselves from mosquito bites while in Thailand. Given possible transmission of the disease to unborn babies, pregnant women should consider postponing travel to Thailand or talk to their doctor about the implications of traveling to Thailand during this time.

In addition to the above, Medical Services Division at UNHQs advises that pregnant UN personnel should not undertake duty travel or be relocated to countries/areas where local transmission of Zika virus is known to occur. Women who are seeking pregnancy should obtain individual advice from their medical practitioner on risk management regarding their plans to travel into a Zika-affected area. For further information, please refer to the Zika virus FAQ.

Information on other non-vaccine preventable diseases to watch out for while in Thailand can be found here: Thailand - Traveler view | Travelers' Health | CDC.

Air pollution and Health

Bangkok, like many metropolitan Asian cities in the world, is periodically affected by high levels of air pollution, with haze and high concentrations of PM2.5 particularly of concern for sensitive groups.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand advises tourists to monitor Bangkok’s air pollution and take precautions when necessary. People who have existing asthma or are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution should consult their treating physician as to whether a trip to Bangkok is advisable at this time. Information on the Air pollution can be found Air4Thai website, maintained by the government of Thailand with daily information on air pollution.

Insurance and emergency medical service

Delegates are strongly encouraged to subscribe to a travel or health insurance which is valid in the Kingdom of Thailand, in order to cover any medical bills or hospitalization fees. In case of medical emergency, please call 1669. The nearest hospital to the UNCC is Bangkok Adventist (Mission) Hospital, which has English speaking medical support staff +662-282-1100.

When feeling unwell while in the UNCC: Anyone who feels unwell while already within the UNCC is advised to call any medical service staff at +66 2288 1352/1353/1761 during business hours, for further guidance. After business hours, they are advised to call the UN Medical Officer at +66 2288 1353 for further guidance. In case of a medical emergency within the UNCC, they are advised to call UN Security at +66 2288 1102/1120 for assistance in calling an ambulance.

Visa and entry requirements

Visa Requirements

Participants are REQUIRED to obtain an appropriate entry visa from the Royal Thai Embassy or the Royal Thai Consulate-General before entering Thailand, EXCEPT for those nationals listed at List of Countries entitled for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival.

Please note that participants holding UN Laissez-Passer (UNLP) travelling on official business to Thailand are also REQUIRED to obtain an appropriate visa before entering.

To apply for an appropriate entry visa to Thailand, participants are required to contact their nearest Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate-General for the most updated information regarding visa application procedures and required documents. The list of Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate-General can be found at https://www.thaiembassy.org.

Participants who wish to apply for a visa outside their country of residence or reside in a country where there is no Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate, should check with the meeting organizer for the location where it is possible for them to apply for a Thai visa. Please note that certain nationalities, for security reasons, are not allowed to apply for a visa except at the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate-General which has jurisdiction over the concerned territory.

Participants who may need further assistance from ESCAP on their visa application should contact the meeting organizer, well in advance, for necessary action.

Participants who wish to apply for a visa on arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport or Don Muang International Airport should follow the below requirements:

  1. The applicant must possess a passport from the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to apply for visa on arrival (List of countries entitled for Visa on Arrival) with the validity of more than 30 days, at least one completely blank page, and be in possession of a valid return ticket with date of departure within 15 days of the date of entry.
  2. The applicant must fill out an application form, which is available at the Visa-on-Arrival counter at the airport, supply one recent passport-sized photograph and a fee of Thai Baht (THB) 2,000.
  3. QR code for online application is available at Visa On Arrival (immigration.go.th). Upon presentation of printed Transaction Reference Number, the applicant could obtain the visa at the Visa-on-Arrival counter at the airport before proceeding for immigration procedures.
  4. The applicant must provide proof of means of living expenses at the amount of THB 10,000 per person or THB 20,000 per family.

NOTE: The information provided above is accurate as of October 2022.

Entry Requirements (as of 1 March 2023)

Thai Department of Disease Control (DDC), Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) issued “Public Health Measures for Foreign Travellers Entering Thailand”, which is effective from 1 March 2023 until further notice, as per the following:

  • Proof of vaccination is No longer required.
  • Proof of health insurance is No longer required.
  • Any passenger having symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival shall be recommended to get COVID-19/RT-PCR test at arrival.

For more information, travelers can contact the DDC Hotline 1422.

Accessibility support for persons with disabilities

The UNCC is fully wheelchair-accessible and houses the Accessibility Centre on Level 1. For more information, please visit the Accessibility Centre’s webpages

Travel agent

The American Express Global Business Travel (AMEX-GBT) office is located on Level 1, UNCC, and is open weekdays from 08:00 to 17:00 hours. Remote support is available on other days ([email protected])

Transport to attend meetings

Participants need to make their own transport arrangements to and from the UNCC. Metered taxis are readily available in the city and you may also book your transportation via applications such as Grab and Volt. Some hotels close to the UN building may provide complimentary transfer service on fixed schedule, to and from the UNCC, so please check with the hotel concierge.

Transport from and to Airport

Participants need to make their own transportation arrangements from Suvarnabhumi International Airport or Don Mueang International Airport to their respective hotels. For the Airport Rail Link, an express and commuter rail connecting to Makkasan Station (MRT subway Petchaburi Station) and Phayathai Station (BTS Skytrain), passengers should go to Level B. Detailed information can be found at https://www.srtet.co.th/index.php/en/.

Electric taxis (EVsociety/VIP) are currently available at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The counter is located next to the main taxi area. The service is available 24 hours and can be pre-booked via:

Line ID: @evsociety
Phone: +66 2039 8888
Email: [email protected]
EV Society Facebook

Metered-taxi and bus services are readily available at the airport. More information is available at https://www.bangkokairportonline.com

To use the airport limousine service, participants should only contact the authorized officials at the counters located in the airport arrival zone. These officials will issue a ticket for the assignment of a limousine for transporting passengers to the desired destination, upon request. The Suvarnabhumi International Airport limousine service counters are located on Level 2 at Baggage Claim and Arrival Hall exits, channels A, B and C.

For public taxis, participants are advised to proceed to the Level 1 of the Passenger Terminal, between exit doors 4 and 7, outdoor area, where they will find automatic dispensing machines from which they can collect a queuing ticket for a public taxi. In addition to toll fees, there is a THB 50 surcharge to be added to the meter charge from the airport to the city. Please refer to the airport website noted above for details.

Souvenir shop

The souvenir shop is located on Level 1 of UNCC. It is open from 09:00 to 16:00 hours, Monday through Friday. The shop can be contacted at +66 2288 1295.

Safety and Security

For security and safety reasons, participants are reminded NOT to leave their belongings unattended. Belongings left unattended within the UNCC may be removed to the nearest Lost and Found counter or the Security Operations Centre.

All drone unmanned aircrafts are prohibited from flying over the UNCC as per the security requirements.

All occupants of the UNCC MUST comply at all times with all lawful directions given by the officers of the United Nations Security and Safety Section. Failure to do so may lead to the participant’s removal from the UNCC.

Contact numbers:

UN Security
Security Control Centre (24/7): +66.2.2881102
UN Security Emergency Number: +66.2.2881100
Mobile +66.81.8078471

Thailand Emergency Numbers:
Police general emergency call: 191
Fire: 199
Ambulance and rescue: 1669/1554
Tourism Police: 1155

Zero Tolerance towards harassment

The United Nations has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of harassment, including sexual harassment, and will deal with such complaints promptly. Please refer to the United Nations Code of Conduct and report any incident to the Security and Safety Section either in person or by phone at +66 2288 1102.

Security protocols for UN personnel

In line with security procedures for UN staff, travel notification through the Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) is required prior to any official travel. Upon notification of travel on TRIP, UN staff members will automatically receive an updated security advice for UN visitors to Thailand. Please visit https://dss.un.org to apply for this travel notification.

In addition, the UN Department of Safety and Security requires all UN personnel, including interns and consultants, to complete the mandatory BSAFE Security Awareness Training These security certifications are required to be completed, prior to having commenced official travel.

Prayer and meditation rooms

Prayer and meditation rooms are located near CR2 on Level 2, UNCC.

Postal services

Postal services are available at the United Nations branch of Thailand Post, located on the Ground Level of UNCC. It is open from 08:00 to 16:00 hours, Monday through Friday. The office can be contacted at extension 2911.

Lost and Found

Please contact the Security Operations Centre, either in person or by phone at +66.2.2881102.

Airline reservations

Many international airlines operate regular services to and from Bangkok. Participants are advised to secure their return bookings prior to their departure for Bangkok. If this is not possible, they should make firm return bookings immediately upon arrival in Bangkok. Travel services are available through the American Express Global Business Travel (AMEX-GBT) office located on Level 1, UNCC.

Library facilities

ESCAP Library facilities are available on Level 1, Service Building from 08:00 to 16:00 hours, Monday through Friday. For details on the use of the ESCAP Library facilities, please consult the staff on duty or call extensions 1329 and 1360. Further information about the ESCAP Library can be found on its website at http://www.unescap.org/library.

Internet services

Free wireless internet access is available in all conference and meeting rooms and in the public areas of the UNCC. Please use UN-WiFi, no password is required. Use of internet at UNCC is governed by relevant Organizational policies and guidelines. Failure to adhere to policies may result in revoking of those services.

Hotel accommodation

Hotels, located relatively close to ESCAP or by mass-transit routes, may be used by participants, should they choose to. The selection of hotels at a walking distance from the UNCC is encouraged to reduce participants’ local travel emissions and their exposure to traffic. Click here for a list of hotels, with indicative prices.

NOTE: ESCAP cannot vouch for accuracy of the information or rates contained in the document. The list is meant purely for reference and for ease of participants. The special discount rates provided are subject to change without notice. Please confirm the room rates with the hotel directly.

Participants are responsible for booking their own rooms and are requested to contact the hotel well in advance. Any cancellations, postponements or other changes should be reported to the hotel. Rooms not occupied may be charged to the participants as per the hotel’s policies.

Before departure from Bangkok, participants should settle directly with the respective hotels all accounts, including room charges and other expenses, such as for local and long-distance telephone calls, Internet usage, business center usage, laundry, room and hotel transportation services, mini-bar items, as well as restaurant and bar services. Participants are also responsible for any charges incurred with respect to rooms remaining vacant owing to late arrival or rescheduled departure for which inadequate prior notice is given.

Foreign currency declaration

Any person who brings or takes an aggregate amount of foreign currency exceeding USD 20,000 or its equivalent into or out of the Kingdom of Thailand shall declare such amount of foreign currency to a Customs Official. Failure to make such a declaration or making any false declaration to a Customs official is a criminal offence.

For reference, participants may use – at their discretion – online currency conversion tool, such as https://freecurrencyrates.com for indicative currency conversion rates.

UNCC Floor plans

The UNCC floor plans are available at https://www.unescap.org/uncc/our-rooms. The UN buildings are smoke-free. Smoking is permitted only in the designated areas outside of the buildings and in the UNCC, the designated smoking area is outside of the Public Foyer.

Financial & administrative arrangements

In those cases where the participation costs are borne by the ESCAP Secretariat, the Secretariat will provide only travel and DSA as expressed and will not assume responsibility for any other expenditure, including the following:

  1. All expenses in the home country incidental to travel abroad, including expenditure for visa, medical examination, inoculations and other such miscellaneous items and internal travel to and from the airport of arrival and departure in the home country;
  2. Salary and related allowances for the participants during the period of the meeting;
  3. Costs incurred by participants in respect of travel insurance, accident insurance, medical bills or hospitalization fees in connection with attending the meeting;
  4. Compensation in the event of death or disability of participants in connection with attending the meeting;
  5. Any loss of or damage to personal property of participants while attending the meeting or losses or damages claimed by third parties as a result of any negligence on the part of the participants;
  6. Any other expenses of a personal nature, not directly related to the purpose of the meeting.
Electric plug and socket

The electric power in Thailand is 220V running at 50Hz and the plug types used are either Type A, Type B, or Type C. A hybrid socket is almost universally found, which accepts a combination of the above plug types.

Delegates are strongly encouraged to carry their own adapters for use with laptops and other electrical appliances as the Secretariat will not be able to provide these. In case of need, adapters can be purchased from shops in the city dealing in electronic and electrical items.

Catering services

Operating hours

Catering services are available at the following locations:

  • International Cafeteria (Level 1, UNCC), which serves breakfast from 7.30 to 10.00 hours, and Thai, Halal and International menus for lunch from 11:00 to 14:00 hours on Monday through Friday.
  • Coffee Corner (Level 1, UNCC), which serves assortment of bakery pastries and beverages, is open from 07:00 to 17:00 hours on Monday through Friday.
  • Rajapruek Lounge (Ground Level, UNCC), which serves light meals and beverages, is open from 07:00 to 17:00 hours on Monday through Friday.

In line with the Sustainable United Nations (SUN) and Environmental Management System (EMS} principles, no single use plastic is available in the UNCC. Single-use food and drink containers have been banned within the UN compound in Bangkok. When purchasing coffee/tea at the Coffee Corner, meeting participants will be asked to pay a deposit of THB 100 for a cup, which will be returned upon return of the cup.

Dining venues at the UNCC also do not provide food storage boxes, plastic cutlery or straws for take-away orders. Diners wishing to take food away are advised to bring their own reusable food containers.

Banking facilities

Banking services are available at the Siam Commercial Bank, United Nations Branch, located on Level 1 of the Service Building, from 08:30 to 15:30 hours during weekdays. (telephone extension 2168).

Siam Commercial Bank ATMs can be found near the registration desk, on the Ground Level of UNCC, and near its UN Branch office, noted above.

Weather

The weather in Bangkok is usually warm and humid. Light tropical clothing would be appropriate. The conference and meeting rooms at the UNCC are air-conditioned and the temperature is maintained in the range of 23-24 degrees Celsius (73-75 degrees Fahrenheit).

for more information, please contact

Trade, Investment and Innovation Division +66 2 288-1234 [email protected]