Information

Thank you for confirming your participation in the upcoming Fifth Joint Annual Meetings of the African Union Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance and ECA Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Developmentscheduled to take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 22 to 27 March 2012. The venue of the meeting will be the African Union’s New Conference Complex at the African Union Commission (AUC) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

It is important to take note of the following information which will assist you in the planning and logistics of your travel to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS

            Following an agreement reached between the Ethiopian Government, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Union Commission (AUC), all participants attending meetings, seminars or workshops organized or co-organized in Addis Ababa by ECA and the AUC can obtain business visas on arrival at Bole International Airport. The Ethiopian Immigration Authority requires that a list with the names of all participants should be presented prior to their arrival, and that participants should carry with them and present to the Immigration an official letter of invitation for this event.

            In order to assist participants in obtaining visas upon arrival, we will need to receive the following particulars five working days in advance, i.e by 16 March 2012.

• First name and second name
• Nationality
• Flight details (arrival and departure)

            Please note that an Ethiopian visa costs $ 20.00 or € 17.00 per person and that payment must be made either in US dollars or in euros at the time of issue. Holders of diplomatic and service passports or of United Nations laissez-passer will receive visas free of charge. Bank receipts for money converted at the airport or elsewhere must be safely kept, as they may be asked for on departure.

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 through a cholera-infected area within six days prior to arrival in Ethiopia. As Addis Ababa is situated at an altitude of 2,400 metres above sea level, it is advisable to take precautionary measures to avoid possible health problems that might occur as a result of the high altitude.

            The African Union Commission’s Medical Centre, situated within the AUC headquarters, will provide emergency medical services to participants and delegates attending meetings during this Conference.

Participants taking special medication should bring enough quantities of their medicines to last for the period they are staying, as some of them may not be found at the Medical Centre or in town.  For acute health problems, the AUC Medical Centre is available to attend to individual concerns, against payment.

            In the event of a medical or dental emergency, please contact:

Dr. Kassama Yankuba
Director, AUC Medical Centre
Telephone: + 251 – 115 - 514642/445502 or +251 115 – 517200, ext. 3151 or 3155
ECA Ambulance telephone: + 251 – 115 - 51 42 02 or 51 58 28

GUIDELINES ON PARTICIPANTS’ PERSONAL SECURITY AND SAFETY

            The Security and Safety Services of both AUC and the ECA always stand ready to serve all their clients. The cooperation of all participants is needed to ensure the safety of your valuables and your personal security.

            Please adhere to the following precautionary measures while you are in the AUC premises:

• Display your Conference badge at the request of an authorized person and wear it visibly;
• Do not leave bags and parcels unattended, as they will be confiscated or destroyed;
• Do not bring unauthorized persons or children into the AUC Conference Centre;
• Safeguard your valuable property;
• Check for your documents and items before you leave the conference halls and meeting rooms;
• Should you lose any valuable items within the AUC premises, kindly inform the AUC Security and Safety Service accordingly, or inform the nearest Security Officer.

            When you are off the AUC premises and in your hotel:

• Upon entering or leaving your room, make it a habit to lock the door;
• Before leaving, inspect your room to make sure that no money, jewellery, cameras, etc. have been left exposed;
• Deposit valuables or portable items at the hotel reception desk and obtain a receipt;
• Should you observe anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, please contact the AUC Security Service immediately.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Emergency numbers:

African Union Commission (AUC)

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

Emergencies outside of Addis Ababa:

AIRLINE RESERVATIONS

            A number of international airlines operate to and from Addis Ababa. Participants are required to arrange their return or onward air passage prior to their arrival in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways have offices in the AUC compound, and can be reached at the following telephone numbers:

• Ethiopian Airlines : +251 115 517700 ext. 1065
• Kenyan Airways : +251 115 517700 ext. 4070

Please have your ticket available when visiting the travel agency for reconfirmation of your flights.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

            Reservations for hotels can be arranged by ECA on the basis of individual requests at the following selected hotels on first-come-first-served basis, provided arrival and departure details are received by 13 March 2012 at the latest. Most hotels will be expecting a final list from ECA by 15 March 2012, after which ECA will be subject to a cancellation penalty for rooms reserved and not utilized. Participants wishing to stay at the Hilton will need to provide their credit card details on time in order to obtain confirmation of their reservations.

In addition to accommodation costs, all participants will be responsible for all other costs: i.e. breakfast (where not included), telephone, Internet/fax, room service, mini-bar and laundry and meals (i.e. lunch and dinner) - and must pay for these directly to the hotel at checkout time. The following hotels have been identified for Conference participants:

Rates are inclusive of breakfast, service charge and VAT unless indicated.

1. When requesting booking in a hotel offering more than one type of room with different rates, self-sponsored participants are requested to specify their preferred room type.

2. Rooms will be reserved on a-first-come-first-served basis, depending on room availability. Self-sponsored participants may be booked in another hotel from within the same category.

3. Self-sponsored participants are requested to provide their contact details in the registration form. Their contact details will be submitted to the hotels for further communication if need be. Hotels may need credit card details or other means of guarantee from the participants to secure their bookings.