Invitation to the 47th UN Inter-Agency Games

The Organizing Committee of the 47th UN Inter-Agency Games is pleased to invite participating Organizations to this year’s Games which will be held in Copenhagen and its neighbouring Gentofte Municipality, Denmark, from 3 to 7 June 2020.

This year, the games are proudly co-organised by the Staff of UN New York and UN City in Copenhagen. The organizers are promising the greenest Games which aim to inspire UN staff to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by showcasing some of the many sustainable solutions found in the capital city of Denmark.

Participants are expected to arrive on 3 June 2020 (day of arrival) and depart on Sunday 7 June 2020 (day of departure). Competitions will begin on Thursday and the closing and awards ceremonies will be held on Saturday (6 June 2020) in the evening.

As usual, the Games will welcome UN personnel from all around the world and from the entire UN system to compete in 22 disciplines. Personnel and family members wanting to support are also welcome to join. Our hosts are working on an elaborated programme of side events and happenings beside the sports competitions that they hope you will enjoy.

More information on the venue, rules, disciplines, etc. can be found right here, on IAG 2020 website! More information will be published as it becomes available!

The Venue

With a vision to becoming carbon neutral by 2025, Copenhagen is a showcase for green and sustainable urban living and a hugely popular travel destination ranking #1 in Lonely Planet’s top city destinations in 2019. The capital city of Denmark is vibrant and offers innovative architecture, classical design, and modern culinary experiences in an interesting historical environment.

Some 2,000 UN personnel work for 12 UN system agencies including WHO, UNOPS, UNDP, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNFPA, WFP, IOM, UNEP, UNIDO, UN Women and World Bank in Copenhagen. Learn more about UN City Copenhagen here: www.un.dk

The main sports facility is in Gentofte Municipality, a suburb to Copenhagen easy to reach with public transport from the Copenhagen centre. Find more information about the different venues on IAG2020 website.

Participation

Eligible to participate in the games are any persons of a participating organization or agency who have served under contract, including supernumeraries, for at least three months or who holds a contract of at least three months’ duration and, in either case, holds a contract effective at least one month before the inter-agency games (IAG) opening and during their entire duration. Any person who has retired from any participating organization or agency is also eligible to participate in the games. Regretably, Interns do not fall under any such category. If you are unsure, contact your organization’s focal point to find out if you are elligible.

The Disciplines

Those joining are invited to form teams in the following disciplines:

1. Athletics (men): minimum 4 athletes – maximum 6 athletes

2. Athletics (women): minimum 4 athletes – maximum 6 athletes

3. Badminton: minimum 3 men and 1 woman – maximum 5 men and 3 women

4. Basketball: maximum 12 players

5. Beach Volleyball 2 players

6. Bridge: minimum 4 players – maximum 6 players

7. Chess: minimum 5 players – maximum 6 players

8. Cricket: minimum 6 players – maximum 12 players

9. Darts: minimum 6 players – maximum 8 players

10. Football/Soccer (men): minimum 7 players – maximum 12 players

11. Football/Soccer (women): minimum 7 players – maximum 12 players

12. Golf*: minimum 16 teams – maximum 22 teams

13. Pétanque: 3 per triplet plus maximum 2 reserves, max 3 triplet per organization

14. Swimming (women): minimum 4 athletes – maximum 5 athletes

15. Swimming (men): minimum 4 athletes – maximum 5 athletes

16. Table Tennis (men): minimum 3 players – maximum 5 players

17. Table Tennis (women): minimum 2 – maximum 3

18. Tennis: 10 per team (5 men and 5 women)

19. Volleyball (men): 9 players, maximum 10 players with a libero

20. Volleyball (women): 9 players, maximum 10 players with a libero

21. Squash: 3 men and maximum of 4 men and 1 woman

22. Pool-Billiards (eightball): exclusively 2 players per team

Please remember that participants can only compete in ONE discipline and as a part of a team. If you do not have a full team and wish to participate, please reach out to us and we will do our best to accommodate you. Registered supporters are not allowed to play in any discipline.

Complete rules for each discipline are available on the IAG website. In accordance with the General Rules of the Games, mixed teams are permitted and they should not be created to make a “strong” team. Whenever possible, organizations/ duty stations should endeavour to form complete teams. In case there are less than four teams in any discipline, we reserve the right to cancel it from the 47st UNIAG.

*Golf

Those registering for Golf must be aware that there is a max capacity of 88 players, which equals 22 teams. With the maximum numbers, it will be based on a first-come-first-served basis. It will be a shotgun-start. The Royal Golf Club in Copenhagen is a privately owned Championship course and we are extremely lucky to be able to offer this.

Our hosts managed to negotiate a very good agreement with a substantial discount. However, every player is required to pay an additional fee of DKK 685 to cover green fees and lunch on Friday and Saturday. The additional fee is in addition to the registration fee for the games and must be paid by individuals directly to the Royal Golf Club prior to the tournament start.

Practice round is possible on Thursday 4 June, morning from 7.00 until 10.00 am, against a discounted green fee for either 9 or 18 holes. The practice round can be booked here. Please use this voucher code to get your 50% discount on the practice round: DNJYUE4

The tournament days are Friday and Saturday.

Captains

Each team needs a captain who will speak on the teams’ behalf. One important function will be attending the Captains’ meeting (walking distance to the opening ceremony venue) which is scheduled for Wednesday 3rd June at 2.30pm (Venue TBC). Your Focal Point can explain more about this function if you get in contact with him/her.

Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony with welcome drinks and hors d’oeuvre will start on Wednesday 3 June at 4pm sharp at the most wonderful and iconic amusement park in the world, TIVOLI.

Accommodation

This year, each participant is responsible for booking and payment of their own accommodation!!

The organizing committee has made an agreement with ARP-HANSEN hotel group. This will offer you a special discounted rate at below 6 hotels. The discounted rate is 15% from the cheapest daily rate on a NO REFUND booking. You will be asked to pay upfront and are not eligible for a refund.

IMPORTANT: It will be available as long as the market allows but the longer you wait the more expensive the room nights will be. Please be aware that Copenhagen will be limited in hotel rooms during the week of the games due to various major events taking place at the same time.

Below are the 4 links to the 6 hotels. You are able to make group bookings as well or share rooms with colleagues as you see fit.

Wakeup Copenhagen booking link – UN interagency games 2020 (contains 3 different Wakeup hotels)

https://www.wakeupcopenhagen.com/arpbe/web/en/login/80907893

Tivoli Hotel booking link – UN interagency games 2020

https://www.tivolihotel.com/arpbe/web/en/login/80907893

Copenhagen Island Hotel booking link – UN interagency games 2020

https://www.copenhagenisland.com/arpbe/web/en/login/80907893

The Square booking link – UN interagency games 2020

https://www.thesquarecopenhagen.com/arpbe/web/en/login/80907893

Registration Deadline

The registration deadline is set for late March and may vary depending on the organization. Please contact your Focal Point as early as possible to ensure your participation.

Registration Fee

The registration fee this year includes the organization of the 47th UNIAG, all discipline facilities and coordination, the opening ceremony at Tivoli Gardens including entrance, food and drinks and entertainment, a welcome pack, public transportation card, the closing ceremony with dinner incl. refreshments and entertainment, side events and a spouse programme with offers.

All details on the exact price, payment deadlines, or eventual refunds can be obtained from your focal point!

Transportation

As all the venues are centrally located and can be reached by public transportation and that we are aiming to make these the greenest games ever, there will be no busses arranged to/from the airport or for opening or closing ceremonies.

Instead, each participant will be receiving a travel pass as part of the registration fee that will allow unlimited transportation from 3-7 June in and around Copenhagen with Metro, Train, and Busses.

Cancellation

If you need to cancel after having registered, please tell your Focal Point sooner than later to discuss your options.

VISAs

Comprehensive VISA guidelines are available from the Organizers and have been shared with your Focal Points. Therefore, if you are travelling from outside the Schengen area and require a visa to travel to Denmark, please contact your Focal Point for assistance asap. Further details will be posted in a separate article on this website also.

Medical certificates

It is strongly recommended that all participants, for their own safety, consult with their general practitioner before engaging in any sporting activity in order to obtain a medical certificate. But they are not required. Participants and supporters are responsible for their own medical insurance that will cover sports activities. The host organizations will not be held liable.

We look forward to welcoming you to Copenhagen! We wish you good luck with your training!