Guide for participants
Milan 2025: Guide for Annual Meeting Participants
The 58th Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Governors will be held from 4 to 7 May 2025 at Allianz MiCo - Milano Convention Centre in Milan, Italy.
Please check this page often as information is regularly updated.
Specific information will be provided for government member delegations and for media.
Participation is by invitation only
Invited participants include members of ADB Board of Governors, ADB government member delegations, observers invited by the Chair of the ADB Board of Governors, civil society organizations, members of the media, financial institutions and banks, private corporations, consulting firms and individuals, former ADB employees, members of ADB Board of Directors, Management and staff, and other organizations and individuals who have established a business relationship with ADB.
Application for Invitation
If you have established a business relationship with ADB and wish to attend the Annual Meeting, please apply for an invitation by completing an online application form. When completing the form, indicate the type of organization being represented by the applicant. Please see below the types of organization that may be invited.
Applying does not guarantee an invitation
If your application is approved, ADB will email you a personalized invitation bearing the link to the online registration page. A declined application will be notified via email. The deadline for applying is 15 April 2025.
- Accredited civil society organizations (CSOs) are listed here. If your CSO is not on the list and would like to be accredited, please submit an online application form. If your CSO is accredited and has yet to receive an invite, you may request an invitation by sending an email to civilsociety@adb.org.
- Interested media representatives who will cover the event for their outlets must email ammedia@adb.org to apply for an invitation. Freelancers are also welcome but must indicate where their articles will be submitted. Media representatives include journalists, photographers, camera persons, and media technical crews. For any media concerns please email ammedia@adb.org.
- Accredited financial institutions and banks that actively conduct business with ADB may be invited to the annual meeting. See the list of accredited financial institutions here. If your institution is not on the list and would like to be accredited, please submit an online application form. If your organization is on the list but has yet to receive an invite, you may request an invitation by sending an email to amguests@adb.org.
- Private corporations, privately-held companies, limited companies, and limited liability companies that conduct business with ADB may apply for an invitation. Please submit an apply for an invitation.
- If you are from a consulting firm or an individual consultant with an existing contract with ADB, or have been shortlisted in the last 2 years, you may online application form.
- Italian-based companies or institutions, including embassies, private corporations, and academic institutions. The host country will review the online application form submitted for this organization type.
- If you do not belong to any of the organization types listed above but conduct business with ADB, please submit an online application form (other guests).
Information on Registration
Invited participants should register online as soon as they receive their personalized invitation. Registration is confirmed only upon receipt of an email with a confirmation number. Online registration must be completed and confirmed to receive an Annual Meeting badge, which is required to enter the meeting venue.
There is no fee to register for the Annual Meeting. Participants bear all other costs related to their participation.
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation provides complete information on whether you require a visa to enter Italy, as well as instructions on how to obtain a visa prior to traveling to Italy, at the following link: https://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en.
The visa application process, if required, falls under the responsibility of the applicant. Applicants may lodge their visa applications directly to the competent Visa Office of the Italian Consular Representation. The visa application shall be submitted to the visa office of the Italian embassy or consulate competent for the place where that person is resident. On the Visa for Italy website, you can find the contact details of the office where you shall apply for the visa. Just select your country of residence, the length of your stay (up to 90 days) and the purpose of the visit (“mission” for member government delegations or “business / tourism” for other participant categories) and click on the “Confirm” button. Neither ADB nor the host government can assist on visa related issues.
Required documents for members of official government delegations (mission visa)
- entry visa application form (view);
- recent passport-size photograph;
- a valid travel document whose validity shall extend at least three months after the intended date of departure from the Schengen area;
- official invitation letter;
- flight ticket reservations (return ticket);
- documents proving the official status of the delegate (i.e. Verbal note of the corresponding Ministry, certificates of employment, etc.);
- health insurance valid for the Schengen area;
Required documents for individual general participants (business/tourism visa)
- entry visa application form (view);
- recent passport-size photograph;
- valid travel document whose validity shall extend at least three months after the intended date of departure from the Schengen area;
- flight ticket reservations (return ticket);
- proof of sufficient economic means of livelihood;
- proof of invitation to the 58th ADB Annual Meeting;
- supporting documentation of professional status;
- health insurance having a minimum coverage of €30.000 for emergency hospitalization and repatriation expenses, valid throughout the Schengen area;
- accommodation (hotel reservation or declaration of hospitality by a citizen residing in Italy (view).
The list of Italian Embassies and Consulates abroad is available at the following link: https://www.esteri.it/en/ministero/struttura/laretediplomatica/
Flight to Milan
Milan is served by three airports: Malpensa, Linate, and Bergamo Orio al Serio.
Malpensa (MXP, 45 km from the city center) can be reached from the center of Milan using the Malpensa Express train from the Cadorna, Milano Centrale, and Milano Porta Garibaldi stations. Various bus companies also serve the route.
Linate (LIN, 7 km from the city center) can be reached by the M4 underground line and by the 73 ATM bus from the city center.
The M4 subway is in service Monday through Sunday from 6:00 am to 12:30 am.
The NM4 line, in service during nighttime hours, replacing the M4 between the airport and San Babila from 12:30 am to 5:30 am. Monday through Friday and on holidays, with the same timetable in the opposite direction as well.
On Saturday, the schedule varies from 12:30 am to 5:30 am from Linate and from 01:00 am to 5:30 am from San Babila.
Thanks to integration with regional rail transport, guaranteed through the interchange with the rail link at Dateo and Forlanini stations, it is also possible to access Linate by train, offering a convenient and fast alternative to reach the airport.
Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY, 50 km from the city center) can be reached by bus shuttle services run by various companies. More info at https://www.milanbergamoairport.it/en/
By Train
Milan can be reached from major Italian and European cities by the Trenitalia (Frecce and Intercity) and Italo high-speed trains. The Trenord train company serves regional routes. Please consult the railway companies’ websites for timetables and online ticket purchases. The main railway stations in Milan are:
- Central Station FS - piazza Duca d'Aosta - a departure point for most trains to foreign destinations. Connected with the M2 and M3 underground lines.
- Porta Garibaldi FS station - piazza S. Freud - connected with the M2 and M5 underground lines.
- Cadorna FN station - piazzale Cadorna - connected with the M1 and M2 underground lines.
- Rogoredo FS station - Via Cassinis - connected with the M3 underground line.
By Car
Milan is a main motorway interchange that connects the city to the rest of Italy and to Europe. It can be reached by car from five different motorways connected to each other by the ring road system.
Milan can be reached by the following motorways:
- A4 Turin - Trieste
- A1 Milano - Naples
- A7 Milano - Genoa
- A8 Milano - Varese (Milano - Lakes)
- A9 Lainate - Como
Travel and Health Insurance
Annual Meeting participants are advised to obtain travel/health insurance before departure to be covered for any accidents and illnesses not covered by the National Health Service. Neither ADB nor the government will be responsible for any loss and/or damage of personal property incurred during the Annual Meeting.
The host country, in coordination with the Annual Meeting Secretariat, has identified suitable hotels within the Milan area that offer negotiated rates for participants. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants are expected to adhere to the reservation policies of the respective hotels and are responsible for paying for all expenses including room rate, value added tax and local taxes, tourist city tax, and incidental charges upon check-out.
Hotel bookings of official government delegations of ADB members will be coursed through their nominated focal persons.
Security will be ensured by the Italian authorities, who will be present throughout the duration of the Annual Meeting.
Security access control measures will be strictly enforced in all Annual Meeting venues. Participants must always wear their Annual Meeting badge visibly in meeting venues. This will allow access to meeting working areas and official networking events. Participants will be required to go through security checks and have their belongings screened, and if necessary, searched. Participants may be asked to deposit any items not permitted in the venues.
To collect your Annual Meeting badge, it will be compulsory to show your personal ID document inserted in the ADB registration system.
About the Allianz MiCo
The 58th Annual Meeting will be held at Allianz MiCo - Milano Convention Centre is one of the largest congress and convention facilities in Europe. It is located in the heart of the new, green City Life district, known to be one of the most successful urban regeneration projects in Europe, which has transformed the Milan’s skyline and re-shaped the Portello area, with iconic architectures of its skyscrapers, residential buildings, and shopping mall.
The venue is easily accessible from everywhere in Milan and beyond, as it is very well-connected by public transport to the city’s center (i.e. Duomo Square, which is 4 km away from the venue), train stations and main airports (it is 40 minutes away from Milan Malpensa Airport and 45 minutes away from Milan Linate Airport).
The nearest metro stop to Allianz MiCo is Portello through subway line Lilla M5.
There are numerous accommodation choices in its proximity.
Thanks to these characteristics, the venue is able to host the majority of the events included in the official schedule, making it easy for participants to fully experience the Annual Meetings.
About City Life district
Inaugurated during Expo 2015, the project of the CityLife area of Milan has at its center the “Piazza Tre Torri”, so called because it is framed by the three skyscrapers designed by Hadid, Libeskind, Isozaki architects, which are clearly visible from several parts of the city. Surrounding these three towers is the glitzy CityLife District, a harmonious set of sparkling residential condominiums and office buildings, complemented by a luxury mall and a vast park that is a joy to behold.
Here are some highlights:
- ArtLine: a city's contemporary art park with various sculptures and installations.
- City Life Shopping District: one of Milano’s most sophisticated malls.
- Tre Torri Park: a beautiful park where you can admire the three skyscrapers designed by world-famous architects.
- Pagano e Corso Vercelli: an elegant and leafy residential neighborhood around Via Pagano and a shopping street with exquisite boutiques, Corso Vercelli.
Transport to Allianz MiCo
Milan has an extensive transportation system, being also one of Italy’s biggest hubs for rail, air, and road networks. In particular, the Milan Metro serves Milan and other surrounding cities offering a reliable service to more than a million passengers per day.
The use of public transportation to reach the Allianz MiCo is recommended to promote sustainability.
All selected hotels are well connected to Allianz MiCo via metro, bus, and tram lines (10 to 30 minutes maximum). There are also some hotels within walking distance.
The organization will facilitate access to free public transportation services according to the methods that will be announced on the host country’s official website soon.
Transport from/to the Airports
The host country has arranged free transportation for Annual Meeting participants from selected airports. Participants must present their confirmation letter or Annual Meeting badge when taking airport shuttles.
Airport Shuttles
- Available only for those arriving at or departing from Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP) and Milano Linate Airport (LIN).
- Locate the Annual Meeting information desk in the Arrival Hall to inquire about the shuttle service nearest to your hotel.
- Partner hotels will be grouped according to clusters with designated drop-off and pick-up areas for participants. Please check back on this website for more updates closer to the Annual Meeting.
- It is recommended to be at the airport at least three (3) hours before the scheduled flight.
INDICATIVE TIMETABLE*
Service Type |
From |
To |
Dates Applicable |
Frequency / schedule* |
---|---|---|---|---|
Arrivals |
Airport (MXP or LIN) |
Hotel cluster drop-off points |
3 - 4 May |
Hourly |
Departures |
MiCo Hotel cluster pick-up points |
Airport (MXP or LIN) Airport (MXP or LIN) |
7 May 8 May |
14:00 until 20:00 Hourly 6:00 until 14:00 Hourly |
* Indicative timetable only, please check back for updates closer to the Annual Meeting
Information will be available soon.
The host country plans to organize a series of tours in Milan to discover the beauty of the city, get to know its hidden corners, cultural attractions, most important monuments, and Italian food and wine culture.
Other sightseeing tours, such as 2-night itineraries to Rome, Venice and Florence cities and 1-night trip to Lake Como, will also be available for the days before and after the ADB Annual Meeting.
More information will be available soon.
Allianz MiCo is managed by Fiera Milano Congressi, the leading venue management company part of the Fiera Milano group. Fiera Milano Congressi integrates environmental management into its core objectives to ensure long-term sustainability, profitability, and competitiveness. Annually, Fiera Milano Group, the holding company of Fiera Milano Congressi, publishes a social report outlining its sustainability strategy and goals to reduce the environmental impact of the events, favor local suppliers, and make health and safety a priority at all times. Additionally, Fiera Milano Congressi has its own sustainability policy, which focuses on the economic, environmental and social sustainability of all events held at its venues. While striving to uphold values of good management, safety, inclusiveness, integrity, and transparency, Allianz MiCo has chosen to safeguard the centrality of bees in our ecosystem by building a “Bee Farm”: a set of beehives positioned in one of the gardens facing the entrance to the convention center.
This commitment has resulted in achieving, over the years, several certifications as listed below:
- Healthy Venue: in 2019 Allianz MiCo was awarded the “Gold Certification” by the World Obesity Federation. Allianz MiCo was the first European congress center to achieve Gold status.
- LEED V4 O+M Gold Certification: in September 2021, Allianz MiCo fulfilled the requirements of the LEED Green Building Rating System Certification established by the US Green Building Council.
- In January 2020, A2A certified the commitment of Fiera Milano Congressi S.p.a to use renewable sources, issuing the 100% Green A2A certification.
- In November 2023, obtained the ISO 20121 certification, which sets out the requirements for a quality management system.
- In November 2023, achieved the ISO 14001 certification, which specifies the requirements for an effective environmental management system.
ADB Annual Meeting Secretariat
- Coordination office: annualmeeting@adb.org
- Seminars: amseminars@adb.org
- Civil society organizations: civilsociety@adb.org
- Media: ammedia@adb.org
- Registration and assistance: AM_Reg@adb.org
- Hospitality in Milan: adb2025hospitality@pomilio.com