GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 2025

Delegate Information Guide

This delegate information guide has been designed to guide you through the logistics of the conference to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience. 

If you have any questions or require immediate assistance, please send an email with the subject “Urgent Support” to conference@gdn.int and a member of our team will respond promptly. You can also reach us at: +33 631448831 through WhatsApp (preferred) or a phone call.

ESSENTIAL PAPERWORK FOR YOUR JOURNEY

As you prepare to leave for Clermont-Ferrand, it is essential to ensure you have printed copies of the following documents (if applicable/required for your journey to France):

  1. Visa Support Letter: Provided by GDN
  2. Invitation Letter: Issued by GDN
  3. Hotel Details: Confirmed by GDN ]
  4. Travel Tickets
  5. Passport
  6. Travel Insurance

Please contact us if you need these documents. Otherwise, your travel and hotel details (to and from Clermont-Ferrand) are available on your Cvent profile via the app (click on your picture on the right bottom corner and press “Travel Details” and check “Hotel”).

The organisers are not responsible for medical, travel, or accident insurance, loss or damage to personal property, or any other costs incurred during travel or participation. Participants are strongly advised to obtain international medical insurance for the full duration of their trip.

Airport and train station transfers are available for all delegates who shared their travel details with GDN and are staying at our partner hotels, regardless of funding status. Bus station is walking distance from hotels reserved.

A GDN representative will be present at the arrivals area to welcome you and assist with onward arrangements. As the airport, train, and bus stations in Clermont-Ferrand are compact, you will easily spot our signage and team members upon arrival.

At hotel check-in, please present:

  1. A valid passport (ID)
  2. A credit card (required by the hotel)

GDN-funded delegates: Accommodation is fully covered by GDN. The hotel will hold your credit card for incidentals such as laundry or room service, which are at your own expense.

Self-funded delegates: If GDN arranged your stay, please present your credit card at check-in and settle your bill at check-out.

Breakfast is included with your stay. Lunch and dinner/cocktails will be provided during the conference. The hotels have a list of names and anticipated arrival/departure timings. The check-in time is 3:00 pm and check-out time is 12:00 noon. Early check-in and late check-out will be facilitated by the hotel based on availability. You may leave your luggage at the hotel reception if you arrive before check-in or have some time after check-out before your onward journey.

  • Holiday Inn: 59 bd François Mitterrand, 63000 Clermont Ferrand, +33 4 73 17 48 48.
  • Kyriad Hotel: 51 Rue Bonnabaud, 63000 Clermont Ferrand, +33 4 73935969

Delegates will receive tram passes valid for the conference days, based on their travel plans. Holiday Inn and Kyriad are within walking distance of the nearest tram stop. [Google Maps: Hall 32]

Tram passes can be used for travel between the venue, hotels, and evening events and will be provided at the time of registration. Volunteers will be available to assist with transfer arrangements.

In line with GDN’s commitment to sustainability, we aim to minimise paper usage throughout the conference. All materials, schedules, and updates will be available digitally via the Cvent app.

Please bring a personal device or use a note-taking app, as printed notebooks will not be provided (though you are welcome to bring your own).

We also encourage all participants to help reduce waste during the event, please bring a reusable water bottle and make use of the refill stations available at the venue.

GDN-funded delegates: The following expenses may be covered or reimbursed, if agreed with GDN team in advance:

  1. Visa Costs: Reimbursed upon submission of receipts and proof of payment.
  2. Travel Insurance: Reimbursed if purchased for this trip. Ensure coverage includes medical emergencies and keep documentation.
  3. Meals Outside Conference Days: Meals are covered only during the conference and GDNorganised pre-conference training events; all other meal expenses are the delegate’s responsibility.
  4. Local Transportation (Pre-Departure/Return): Costs for reaching the airport at home, including taxis, rideshares, or public transport.
  5. Emergency Travel Expenses: Unexpected delays or disruptions may be reimbursed with supporting documentation. Prior approval from GDN Travel Desk is mandatory.

Please note:

  • Keep all receipts and any GDN confirmation emails for reimbursement claims.
  • Reimbursements will be processed in cash during coffee breaks and lunch hours at Hall 32 (look for the GDN Secretariat team) up to 200 euros. For amounts above 200 euros, wire transfers will be facilitated within 3 days after the event is over.
  • Only conference-related costs are reimbursed; personal expenses are not covered.

Questions? Contact conference@gdn.int with subject: “Reimbursement clarification”.

Surrounded by dormant volcanoes and known for its black lava stone buildings, Clermont-Ferrand is the capital of the Auvergne region. Originally two towns, Clermont and Montferrand, joined by Louis XIII, the city now has two historic centres: Clermont, with key sights, and Montferrand, one of France’s best-preserved towns.

Start your visit at Place de Jaude, the lively central square, home to the Municipal Opera and Galeries Lafayette. Restaurants and cafés are scattered throughout the city centre. For more details, see France This Way – Clermont-Ferrand.

During the conference, the average temperature is expected to be around 11°C. The weather can be notoriously unpredictable, so please pack an umbrella and warm clothing.

  • Currency: Euro (€)
  • Telephone & Time Zone: International dialling code +33; France will be on Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) during the conference (Oct 28–30, 2025).
  • Electrical Devices: Standard European plug (two cylindrical prongs), 230V, 50Hz. Bring a European adapter for your devices. 
  • Hello: Bonjour
  • Goodbye: Au revoir
  • Please: S’il vous plaît
  • Thank you: Merci
  • You’re welcome: De rien

The Cvent Events App is mandatory for all delegates attending the conference. For a visual guide to the app, click here

The app serves as your primary tool to navigate the conference, providing access to the agenda, room locations, networking features, and registration for parallel sessions and workshops.

Compatibility: iOS 15 or higher or Android 11 or higher. If your device is incompatible, you can access all resources via the Attendee Hub on a laptop or tablet.

  1. Download the App and Setup
    1. iOS: App Store | Android: Google Play Store
    2. Search for “Global Development Conference 2025
    3. Log in with your GDC2025 registration email
    4. Enter the code sent to your inbox to activate your profile
  2. Create and Personalise Your Profile
    • Tap your profile icon → View Profile → pencil icon
    • Add: Picture, Name, Job Title, Organisation
    • Optional: Unique headline and social media links
  3. Network and Connect
    • Go to Community → View Attendees
    • Browse profiles, send connection requests, and message delegates
    • Schedule meetings directly in the app
    • Participate in topic-specific Discussions
  4. Explore Agenda and Schedule Sessions
    • Go to Schedule to view sessions, workshops, keynotes
    • Tap + to see details or add to your personalised schedule
    • Plenary Sessions are pre-added
    • View speaker profiles and plan your conference experience
  5. Register for Workshops
    • In Schedule → More Filters → Workshops, browse options
    • Tap + to view details and reserve a spot
    • Only one workshop per time slot can be reserved