The third annual meeting of ABSA will be held at the United Nations Conference Center (UNCC-AA) Conference Room 6, during the 13 and 14 June 2006.

Some useful telephone numbers:

• ESPD direct telephone number: +251-11-551 10 56
• ECA central exchange: +251-11-551 72 00

For matters directly related to the Workshop, the ECA staff members to contact are:

• Mr. Dimitri Sanga
  Senior Statistician
  Economic and Social Policy Division (ESPD)
  Phone: (251-11) 543-30-50
  Fax: (251-11) 551-03-89
  E-mail: Dsanga@uneca.org
• Mr. Andry Andriantseheno
  Statistician
  Economic and Social Policy Division (ESPD)
  Phone: (251-11) 544-36-03
  Fax: (251-11) 551-03-89
  E-mail: Andriantseheno@un.org
• Roza Habtewold
  Administrative Assistant
  Economic and Social Policy Division (ESPD)
  United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
  Tel. +251-11-544-3662
  Fax +251-11-551-0389
  E-mail: rhabtewold@uneca.org
  
• Ms. Fantaye Meshesha,
  Economic and Social Policy Division (ESPD)
  Phone: (251-11) 43-52-76
  Fax: (251-1) 51-03-89 / 51-44-16
  Email: fmeshesha@uneca.org

General information on logistics and meeting arrangements that are needed to facilitate travel plans for conference participants.

1. IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS

Visas are required for all visitors/conference delegates travelling to Ethiopia, except for nationals of Djibouti and Kenya. The Government of Ethiopia requires that visitors/conference delegates from countries with Ethiopian Diplomatic Missions secure their visas from those missions.

If the country involved does not have an Ethiopian Diplomatic Mission, ECA will assist in obtaining a business visa upon arrival, provided the following particulars are received two weeks in advance.

1. Full name;
2. Nationality;
3. Passport details - (number, date of issue and expiry); and
4. Flight details (arrival and departure);
5. Port of embarkation.

Please note that an Ethiopian visa costs $US20.00 per person and payment must be made in US Dollars at the time of visa issue on arrival at the Airport Immigration Desk. Holders of Diplomatic and Service/Official passports as well as United Nations Laisser-Passer (UNLP) will receive gratis visas.

Bank receipts for money changed must be kept securely as they may be requested upon departure.

2. HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Visitors to Ethiopia should be in possession of a valid health certificate for yellow fever. Vaccination against cholera is also required for any person who has visited or transited a cholera-infected area within six days prior to arrival in the country.

The United Nations Health Care Centre (UNHCC), situated on the ground floor of UNCC provides 24-hour medical services against cash payment.

In case of a medical or dental emergency, please call the reception desk at telephone numbers:

011-551 10 53 (24 hrs)

If there is no response, please call Echo Operations,

Tel. 011-551 17 26 (24 hrs)/544 55 02/ 544 35 48/544 31 35

Other Hospitals
Swedish Clinic011-371 70 68
St. Gabriel Hospital011-661 36 22
Hayat Hospital011-661 42 50

3. AIRLINE RESERVATIONS/TICKETING REQUIREMENTS

Sponsored participants should collect their prepaid tickets (PTA) from Ethiopian Airline country office or from the UNDP country, which are in charge of making the necessary travel arrangements.

Participants are strongly advised not to purchase their own tickets for any reason. Please note that you will not be reimbursed should you self-purchase a ticket without prior express written authority from the UNDP office.

A number of International Airlines including Ethiopian, Lufthansa, British Airways, Yemen Airways, Kenya Airways, Egypt Air, KLM, etc. operate to and from Addis Ababa. It is required that participants secure their return/onward air passage prior to their arrival in Addis Ababa. There are travel agencies on site at ECA to assist with re-confirmation of tickets and to provide participants with travel- and tour-related information. Travel Agencies at ECA are reachable at the following telephone numbers:

• Safeway Travel: Tel: 011 544 31 57/091 120 37 07/091 120 00 77
• Gashem Travel: Tel: 011 515 89 32/091 125 04 68/ 091 120 12 39
• Airlink: Tel: 011 544 36 10/1/2/3 and 091 1250156

4. SHIPPING/CUSTOMS CLEARANCE

Conference participants and/or journalists coming to Addis Ababa with special equipment such as professional cameras, computers, exhibition equipment and materials should ensure that a list of these equipment, including model and serial numbers where applicable, are sent to the conference organizers. Equipment that is not cleared by the Ethiopian Customs Authority prior to their arrival may not be allowed into the country.

5. HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

A single standard room has been reserved for sponsored participant at Hilton Hotel, excluding breakfast, the participants has to pay, on his own, the breakfast at Hilton Hotel, the cost of self service breakfast is US $ 12.

ECA will pay directly the accommodation charges to Hilton and will give the balance of the Daily Subsistence Allowances (DSA) to participants to cover the incidental expenses. Please note that sponsored participants are required to reside at Hilton throughout the meeting.

For information, these are list of selected hotels in Addis-Ababa, nearby the UN compound.

• Rates are inclusive of breakfast, service charge and VAT unless where indicated
• Rates are quoted on single-room and double-room basis.

6. RECEPTION ON ARRIVAL

Hilton Shuttle Buses & ECA will meet participants on arrival at Bole International Airport, the cost of one way inward transportation back or forth from the Airport to the Hotel is US $ 3.50.

7. REGISTRATION

Participants will be accredited and issued badges at the conference venue in UNCC-AA, 1^st floor from 13 June 2006. Please bring your invitation letter for ease of accreditation procedure.

8. ICT SERVICES

A Cyber Café will be available to participants in the UNCC. In addition, UNCC and the ECA Compound are set up to provide Internet connectivity to WiFi enabled laptops and personal computers. Participants are welcome to take advantage of these services.

IT technical support is available through the ECA Help Desk (Phone: +251-(0)11-544 31 23, e-mail: ihelpdesk@uneca.org) or extension 33113 once in the compound.

Technical support for presentations must be arranged in advance.

Please be advised that Blackberry services are not available in Ethiopia.

9. MOBILE PHONE SERVICES

Participants are encouraged to come to Addis Ababa with their dual band mobile handsets (900/1800 MHZ). Ethiopian Telecommunication Company offers rental SIM Cards with pre-charged airtime. The total package, which costs $US 50.00 includes $US 12.00 airtime.

Participants coming from the United States of America should kindly note that they can only use triband mobile handsets i.e. (900/1800/1900 MHZ).

10. FACILITIES AVAILABLE WITHIN THE ECA COMPOUND

a) Food and beverages

UNCC features a number of dining rooms and a Press Bar on its upper level (2^nd floor).

• The Cafeteria - Opening hours: 12:15 - 14:30
  This self-service restaurant offers a variety of hot and cold meals and beverages priced per item.
• The Delegates Dining Room – Opening hours: 12:30 – 14:30
  A hot and cold buffet at a set price.
• The Press Bar – Opening hours: 7:00 - 17:30
  Hot beverages, drinks and soft drinks as well as cakes, pastries and sandwiches offered (price per item).

Only Ethiopian currency (birr) is accepted at these facilities.

Further catering facilities are available near the Nigeria Lounge, adjacent to the ECA Library and Security and Safety Main Office. These include:

• A Cafeteria self-service restaurant, with price per item and buffet corner open from 12:00 through to 14:30. A Coffee Bar is opened from 7:00 to 20:00.

*Please note that food is not allowed in the UNCC conference rooms and offices.

The Rotunda, located in the Africa Hall building, also has several facilities such as Banks, a Duty Free Shop, a Coffee Bar, a Telecommunications Centre, Airline Offices, Postal Services, DHL, Travel Agencies, a Newspaper Stand, Photoshop, Super Market, Gift Shop, Souvenir Shop, Flower Shop, and the like.

b) Public telephones

Booths are located on the first and second floor of UNCC.

c) UNCC Business Centre

A fully equipped Business Centre on the first floor provides access to international telephone and fax service, simple straight photocopying (1 to 4 pages –maximum of 50 copies), computer workstations and Internet use at set charges to users.

ECA has fully equipment reproduction facilities to reproduce major presentations. Please request the designated Conference coordinator for these services.

11. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia is as large as France and Spain combined and has an area of 1,112,000 square metres. Addis Ababa is situated at an altitude of 2,200 metres. Agriculture is the backbone of the national economy and the principal exports from this sector include coffee, oil seeds, pulses, flowers, vegetables, sugar and animal feed. About 90% of the population earn its living from the land. There is also a thriving livestock sector and exports include cattle and hides and skins.

The population of Ethiopia is estimated at 68 million and over 50% of the population is under 20 years of age. The average number of inhabitants per square kilometre is 49. Ethiopia is a multi-ethnic State with a great variety of spoken languages. There are eighty-three languages with 200 dialects, and the three main languages are Amharic, Tigrigna and Oromigna. English, French, Italian and Arabic are also spoken, mainly in Addis Ababa.

Additional information on Ethiopia and ECA can be found at: http://www.uneca.org as well as at http://www.ethionet.et or at http://www.ethio.com

a) Climate

Ethiopia has two main seasons; the dry season lasts from October through May, and the rainy season starts in late June and ends in September. Temperatures depend on season and altitude.

b) Electric supply

Electric supply in Ethiopia is 220-240 volts, 50 cycles AC accessible via 13-amp, two-pin (Italian) socket.

c) Transport

Bole International Airport is located within 5 kilometres from the center of Addis Ababa. With enough notice, ECA and the Hotel will provide inward transportation from the airport to the Hotel.

ECA buses will ferry participants back and forth from their hotels to the conference venue in the mornings and at the end of the daily sessions. ECA will not provide transport during lunch break.

If transportation in Addis Ababa is needed outside of conference hours or to go to the airport at the end of the Conference, the National Tourism Organization (NTO) can provide taxi service and can be reached by calling + 251-(0)11-515 18 22 or + 251-(0)11-551 84 00. A one-hour city tour by NTO taxi will cost Birr 74.00, and Birr 44.00 from the Hilton/Sheraton Hotels to the Airport. The yellow or blue taxis parked outside your hotel are relatively cheaper.

These taxis will take you to most places in Addis for about Birr 20.00 –30.00, and can be hired at a negotiated rate for longer and special destinations, by the hour. It is also standard practice in Addis Ababa to wave down any free blue or yellow taxi and offer the driver a "contract" for a single journey. "Contract" taxis can be found at the entrance to ECA and most hotels.

d) Currency: Birr

Ethiopian currency is denominated in "Birr" and " centimes". The bank rate of exchange varies. The official exchange rate as of 12 June 2006 was $US1.00 = Birr 8.6933 and Euro 1.00 = Birr 10.9736.

There is a branch of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in the ECA compound located in the Rotunda of the Africa Hall Building. This Bank is open Monday – Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 12: 30 p.m. and from 2 :00 p.m. 4 :00 p.m. There are also authorized exchange bureaus (Forex) at the Sheraton and Hilton Hotels.

Please note that exchange rates vary from time to time.

12. GUIDELINES ON PERSONAL SECURITY AND SAFETY

Personal security is an individual responsibility. Using common sense and being alert can reduce risks. The aim of these security and safety guidelines is to provide visitors and conference participants, with the necessary personal security advice, making them aware of the existing security rules and regulations that apply within the ECA Compound and in Addis Ababa.

The best way to be safe is to avoid trouble at all cost, rather than having to extricate oneself later. The Offices of the United Nations Security and Safety Service is always at the ready to serve all its clients. In this regard, the cooperation of all participants and visitors helps a great deal in ensuring personal security and the safety of valuables.

a) Personal security

Addis Ababa has a low record of common crimes. The city is considered to be one of the safest capitals in Africa. However, for your safety, please maintain a high state of vigilance at all times.

Petty theft, pickpockets and purse snatching are common crimes when opportune. They can occur at any time of the day and night; be alert and follow these simple rules:

• Keep to the main parts of Addis Ababa and do not be tempted to go to places that you are not sure of;
• Keep to the main roads and avoid short cuts down back alleys, etc;
• Do not display high value jewelry, especially on the street. It may lead to unnecessary attacks; and
• Never walk alone at night in the centre of Addis Ababa, even for a short distance. Always take a taxi. Yellow taxis with green stripes are advisable in this case.

b) Restrictions

In accordance with United Nations practice, no firearms of any description will be allowed into UN premises. During the meetings, only Security personnel that are involved in protecting Heads of States and other VIPs and who have obtained permission from the Host Government and have prior arrangements with UN Security are exempted from such restrictions.

c) Mobile/ cell phones

Mobile/cell phones will be screened at the entrance and participants are advised to switch off their phones when they enter the Conference Rooms.

d) Smoking

Please be informed that UNCC is a non-smoking area.

13. MISCELLANEOUS

Please take note of the following:
On ECA premises:

• Display your Conference Badges, on the demand of an authorized person and wear it visibly;
• Do not leave bags and parcels unattended; they will be confiscated or destroyed;
• Display the vehicle passes issued;
• Do not bring unauthorized persons and children into the Conference Centre;
• Safeguard your valuable property;
• Check for your documents and items before you leave the conference halls and meeting rooms; and
• If you lose any valuable items within the premises, inform UN Security and Safety Service or inform the nearest Security Officer.

Off ECA Premises and in the hotels

• Upon entering or leaving the room, make it a habit to lock the door;
• Before leaving, inspect your room to make sure no money, jewelry, cameras, etc. have been left exposed;
• Deposit valuables or portable items at the reception desk and obtain a receipt;
• Do not open packages delivered to you unless you are expecting them;
• Should you observe anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, please contact Security and Safety Service.

f) Useful telephone numbers

Emergency numbers:
UN Control Room-Addis Ababa 011 544 51 35/551 65 37
(24-hours) 011 551 29 45
Emergencies outside of Addis:
UN Operations Centre (24 hours) 011 551 17 26
Sat. Phone 871 62 54 68 35

Police Emergency Numbers:
(24 Hrs.)
City Police: 911
011 157 21 00/157 21 21/157 21 57
Federal Police: 011 552 40 77/552 63 02/552 63 03