Code ofConduct
To Prevent
Harassment,
Including SexualHarassment,
AT UN SYSTEM EVENTS

un.org/codeofconduct#codeofconduct
ZERO TOLERANCEFOR HARASSMENT AT
UN SYSTEM EVENTSPurpose
The organizations of the United Nations system arecommitted to enabling events at which everyone canparticipate in an inclusive, respectful and safe environment.
UN system events are guided by the highest ethical andprofessional standards, and all participants are expected tobehave with integrity and respect towards all participants
attending or involved with any UN system event.

Applicability
The Code of Conduct applies to any UN system event, whichshall include meetings, conferences and symposia,
assemblies, receptions, scientific and technical events,
expert meetings, workshops, exhibits, side events and anyother forum organized, hosted or sponsored in whole or partby a UN system entity wherever it takes place, and any eventor gathering that takes place on UN system premises
whether or not a UN system entity is organizing, hosting orsponsoring.
The Code of Conduct applies to all participants at a UN
system event, including all persons attending or involved inany capacity in a UN system event.
The UN system or other entity responsible for a UN system
event commits to implementing the Code of Conduct.
The Code of Conduct is not legal or prescriptive in nature. It
supplements, and does not affect, the application of otherrelevant policies, regulations, rules and laws, including laws
regulating the premises in which the UN system event takes
place and any applicable host country agreements.

Prohibited conduct
Harassment is any improper or unwelcome conduct thatmight reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause
offence or humiliation to another person. Harassment in any
form because of gender, gender identity and expression,sexual orientation, physical ability, physical appearance,
ethnicity, race, national origin, political affiliation, age,religion or any other reason is prohibited at UN system
events.

• Repeatedly asking a person for dates or asking forsex• Staring in a sexually suggestive manner• Unwelcome touching, including pinching, patting,rubbing or purposefully brushingup against a person• Making inappropriate sexual gestures,such as pelvic thrusts• Sharing sexual or lewd anecdotes or jokes• Sending sexually suggestive communications in anyformat• Sharing or displaying sexually inappropriate images
or videos in any format• Attempted or actual sexual assault,including rape

Complaint process
A participant who feels that they have been harassed at a UN
system event may report the matter to the organizer of theUN system event or relevant security authority, and aparticipant who witnesses such harassment should makesuch a report. Such reporting shall have no effect on any
applicable rules and procedures that may apply in the UN
system or to other personnel. The organizer of the UN
system event will be expected to take appropriate action inaccordance with its applicable policies, regulations and rules.
Examples of appropriate action may include, but are notlimited to:• undertaking a fact-finding exercise• requesting the perpetrator to immediately stop theoffending behavior• suspending or terminating the perpetrator’s access to
the UN system event or refusing registration at future
UN system events,
or both• conveying the complaint to any investigative or
disciplinary authority with jurisdiction over the person
accused of harassment• conveying a report to the employer or entity withjurisdiction over the person accused of harassment
for appropriate follow-up action

Sexual harassment is a specific type of prohibited conduct.
Sexual harassment is any unwelcome conduct of a sexual
nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived tocause offense or humiliation. Sexual harassment may involveany conduct of a verbal, nonverbal or physical nature,including written and electronic communications, and may
occur between persons of the same or different genders.

The victim of alleged harassment may also seek help fromother relevant authorities, such as the police, bearing in mind
the applicable legal framework.

Examples of sexual harassment include, but are notlimited to:

Prohibition of retaliation• Making derogatory or demeaning comments about
someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity• Name-calling or using slurs with a gender/sexualconnotation• Making sexual comments about appearance, clothingor body parts• Rating a person’s sexuality

A participant should never knowingly make a false ormisleading claim about prohibited conduct.

Threats, intimidation or any other form of retaliation against
a participant who has made a complaint or provided
information in support of a complaint are prohibited. The UN
system or other entity responsible for a UN system event willtake any reasonable appropriate action needed to preventand respond to retaliation, in accordance with its applicablepolicy, regulations and rules.