As part of the Eighth Session of the Committee on Social Development, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) invites member States, United Nations entities and other international organizations as well as other interested stakeholders to submit side event proposals using this link: https://forms.office.com/e/QVKUwexdn0  at their earliest convenience, and no later than 30 August 2024. ESCAP will review the proposals and revert to the side event organizers by 6 September 2024. Only fully completed forms will be considered.

Criteria for holding a side event

• The side event should support the discussions of the thematic areas considered by the eighth session of the Committee on Social Development, namely strengthening social protection systems, addressing demographic trends and intergenerational relations, and focusing on disability inclusive development and disability rights.
• Organizers are encouraged to choose the date of the side event in correspondence to the substantive theme of the Committee agenda on that date. Due to time limitations and to avoid overlap between side events, a maximum of two parallel side events will be held on each of the following time slots:
  • 8 October 2024: 12:30-13:45 hrs.
  • 9 October 2024: 12:30-13:45 hrs.
  • 10 October: 09.00-10.15 hrs.
  • 10 October: 12:30-13:45 hrs.
• Delegates attending the Committee on Social Development are invited to organize side events.  Side events sponsored by governments will be given priority in the allocation of preferred time slots and side events co-organized by more than one partner are preferred. Side event organizers are encouraged to co-organize side events with governments.
• One of the co-organizers of the proposed side event should be designated as a lead organizer and communication focal point. To ensure representation of different stakeholders, a co-organizer cannot be the lead organizer of more than one side event.
• Organizers are encouraged to ensure geographic and gender balance and include, in the discussions, a mix of countries and stakeholders, including governments, civil society, scientists    and     academia.
• Organizers are responsible for making all arrangements for the side events, including providing the virtual platform and the link to the event to participants, inviting speakers etc.
• Organizers are kindly requested to hold their event in English or make their own interpretation arrangements, as interpretation services are not available for side events.
• Organizers are requested to coordinate with the secretariat on the date and time of the event; Organizers are encouraged to choose the date of the event in correspondence to the substantive theme of the Committee agenda on that date. The side event will be posted on the website including a connection link, brief description of the event and flyer. A meeting room can be made available for on-site participants at United Nations Conference Center.
• Side event organizers can order either coffee break or light lunches for their event. Food and drinks are not allowed in the rooms. Available menu options and prices can be found on the UNCC website.
• All costs related to the side event will be borne by the organizers. Publicizing a side event and ensuring adequate participation is the sole responsibility of the organizers.
• Contact [email protected] if you require further information or if you wish to submit supplementary information.