Esteemed Colleague

On behalf of the ECA Communication Team, this is to extend a warm welcome to Addis Ababa, to the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and to the Second African Development Forum (ADF 2000). We hope that your journey was smooth and that you arrived without major problems.

The purpose of this note is to provide you with some basic information that we hope will facilitate your time in Addis Ababa and your work in covering the Forum.

Administration and Logistics:

• Travel & Subsistence: Those of you who are sponsored by ECA will be paid a Daily Subsistence Allowance of US$ 84 for each day you are with us. The amount is to cover your hotel bills and other expenses. You will receive this amount in cash from the Finance Section on the 8^th Floor of the New Building. We will let you know the exact date and time of disbursement shortly. Please bring your air tickets for re-confirmation.

• Hotel: A block booking has been made for journalists. Aside from a few people, all journalists are booked in the Imperial Hotel (tel +251-1-61 44 90/ 65 10 55, fax +251-1-61 44 93). The inclusive daily room rate is US$ 55. On arrival at the airport you will be taken to the Imperial Hotel, unless you have a specific booking elsewhere. Limited rooms are still available at the Sheraton Addis, for US$ 121 all-inclusive. If you want to move, you will have to absorb the additional cost. Please let us know as soon as you arrive.

• Transportation: A coach will be available for exclusive use by journalists. It will leave the hotel at 07:30 hrs each morning, to reach the UN Conference Centre by 07:50 hrs, in time for the 08:00 hrs daily media briefing (see below).

• Media Bags/Kits/Accreditation: You will be able to pick up your Media Bags starting from 09:00 hrs on Saturday 2 December 2000 from the Information Centre. The Bags will contain a Media Kit, which includes a Forum brochure and other relevant documents. It will also include your Media Pass, without which you will not be able to move freely.

Media Facilities:

• Information Centre: This is located on the Ground Floor of the UN Conference Centre, and is the place to go for all speeches, statements and relevant documentation.

• Print Interviews: Print journalists needing help with arranging interviews should contact Sophia Denekew (Ext. 35098, direct line 44 50 98) or Meron Aberra (Ext. 33098, direct line 44 30 98);

• Broadcast Interviews: Radio and TV journalists needing help with arranging interviews, or with any aspect related to space, coverage and transmittal, should contact Martha Mogus (Ext. 33482, direct line 44 34 82). If you need to capture audio feeds from the Forum you’ll need to bring an XLR female connector and a power cord Shuko two-pin European standard plug.

• Satellite Feeds: Journalists needing to feed via satellite can do so courtesy of Ethiopian Television. Costs: $ 250 for the first 10 minutes, US$ 50 for each additional minute thereafter. Contact Martha to organise logistics.

• Interactive Radio: Radio journalists needing assistance in setting up panel discussions/interviews should contact Sandrine Mbea (Ext. 33345, direct line 44 33 45). Please note that bookings for studio space need to be done ahead of time;

• Internet access: There are 50 computers with full Internet access, free of charge, as well as printing facilities. The location of these clusters will be clearly signposted. Colleagues will be available to assist you on demand. A number of PCs are dedicated for use by radio journalists, and are equipped with Cooledit Pro software for editing and transmitting audio actuality. A number of PCs are loaded with French and Arabic keyboards and software.

• Telecommunications: International calls can be made from the Business Centre on the First Floor of the UN Conference Centre. Faxes can also be sent from the same place. The rates are available on request. Journalists wishing to receive faxes should use the following number, and should ensure their names, organizations are clearly marked: +251-1-51 03 65.

Media Events:

• Civil Society Meeting, Saturday 10:00 – 17:00 hrs: This will take place in Conference Room 2 of the UN Conference Centre.

• Media Briefing, Saturday 2 December, 17:15 hrs: This will take place in the Large Briefing room in the UN Conference Centre. A cocktail will follow.

• Daily Media Briefings, 08:00 hrs: These will take place in the Large Briefing Room from Monday 04 December to Thursday 07 December inclusive, and will last 30 minutes.

• Press Conferences, Briefings: We will give you a list of all scheduled pressers, briefings, etc. This list will be updated on a daily basis and updates will be provided in the daily media briefing.

• Artists Against AIDS Concert, 20:00 - 24:00 hrs, Wednesday 6 December: Tickets for this concert, to take place at the Sheraton Addis, will be distributed to accredited journalists shortly before the event.

If you have any further questions, we will be pleased to assist.

Enjoy your stay and Warm Regards

The Communication Team
ECA
Addis Ababa