LOGISTICS

VENUE AND ACCOMODATION

The Conference will take place at the Cotonou International Conference Centre, Boulevard de la Marina. Given the proximity to the venue of the Conference, participants are recommended the following hotels:

Benin Marina Hotel
Boulevard De La Marina
BP 1901, Cotonou-Benin
Tel: (229) 21300100 / 21301256;
Fax: (229) 21301155 / 21308325
E-mail: infor@benin-marina.com

Novotel Hotel
Boulevard De La Marina
BP 0929, Cotonou-Benin
Tel: (229) 21304177; Fax: (229) 21304188
E-mail: h1826-sl@accor.com

Hotel Croix du Sud
01 BP 280 – Cotonou
Tel: (229) 21300954/21300955
Fax: (229) 21320218
E-mail: hcsmcat@intnet.bj

Hotel du Port
8 BP 1133 Cotonou
Tel: (229)21314443/21314444/21310010
Fax: (229) 21314326
E-mail: hotelduportcotonou@yahoo.fr

Benin government representatives will be present at reception desks in the hotels, to assist you with check-in/check-out.

Please note that phone calls, use of mini bar in the rooms and other services are at the participants’ own costs.

TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION

UN-OHRLLS, IOM and UNDP/SUSSC will fund the participation of 2 government officials (an expert and a minister) from
LDCs.

Accordingly, travel arrangements for the officials from the LDCs will be made through UNDP country /IOM field offices which will provide them with a round trip full economy class air ticket and DSA. In order to initiate travel request, please confirm participation by completing and returning the form (Annex I) to Mr. Eder Garcia in UN-OHRLLS (tel.: 1 212 963 5051, fax: 1 917 367 3415, e-mail: garciae@un.org) by 27 January 2006. Please note that no changes can be made once a ticket has been purchased.

ALL OTHER participants of the conference are requested to make their own travel arrangements.

All participants are advised to arrive in Cotonou on 8 February 2005, a day prior to the conference.

Transportation between airport, hotel and the International Conference Centre, the venue of the conference, will be organised by the Benin Government. Official representatives from the Benin Government will have an information desk in the airport.

VISAS

ECOWAS Nationals do not require visas for entry to Benin.

For Non-ECOWAS nationals, visas will be issued free of charge in the Benin Consulates. For representatives of countries where Consular Service is not available, gratuitous entry visas to Benin will be issued at the Cotonou airport, upon their arrival.

VACCINATIONS

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers.

Detailed information on health concerns can be obtained from the World Health Organization Website: http://www.who.int/ith/en/

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

The registration of participants of the Conference will take place in the foyer of the Cotonou International Conference Centre from 8.00 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, 8 February 2006. Late arrivals can register from 8.30 to 9.00 a.m. on Thursday, 9 February 2006, prior to the beginning of the conference.

During the registration the participants will also be provided with documentation of the conference.

OPENING CEREMONY

The opening ceremony will take place at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, 9 February 2006 at the Cotonou International Conference Centre.

SOCIAL EVENTS

The Benin Government will host an official reception for the participants of the conference.

WORKING LANGUAGE

The working languages of the conference are French and English. Simultaneous translation will be provided.

Additional Information

Local Time is GMT + 1. Temperature in Benin in February is around 27-32 degrees Celsius.

The local currency is the Franc CFA. 1$ US = 520 F CFA. 1 Euro = 650 F CFA

Voltage: 220 V