ICBL Logistics: Intersessional Standing Committees Meetings 2008

CONTENTS:

1. Introduction

2. Registration

3. Visas

4. Accomodation

5. Transportation

6. Venues

7. ICBL Activities

8. Schedule of events

9. Translation

10. Reimbursements (for ICBL sponsored participants)

1. Introduction

The Intersessional Standing Committees Meetings will take place from 2-6 June 2008 at the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), Avenue de la Paix 7bis (WMO Building), Geneva, Switzerland.

Background documents for the meeting are available on the GICHD website.

2. Registration

Deadline for registration is 23 May 2008. Registration is available online on the GICHD website at:

http://www.apminebanconvention.org/intersessional-work-programme/june-2008/registration-form/

Should you encounter any difficulties in registering online, please send your registration by fax to: +41-22-906-1690.

3. Visas

Participants are responsible for applying for all visas required to travel to and enter Switzerland. Please note that most people travelling to Geneva will be transiting through a European country. This will require you to obtain a Schengen Visa. If you need a visa to enter Switzerland or a transit visa, apply for it immediately. Please visit the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs website, where you will find information about how to apply for a Swiss visa and the list of Swiss Representations abroad. Please bring the Invitation Letter from Prince Mired Raad Al-Hussein, President of the 8th Meeting of the States Parties (8MSP) and Stephan Nellen, Director of the GICHD and your ICBL invitation to the ISC with you when applying for visas. If you have any difficulties in applying for visas please contact Olivia Denonville at olivia@icbl.org.

4. Accomodation

• For ICBL sponsored participants: most of the sponsored participants will stay at the Hotel International and Terminus and at the Hotel Savoy. Due to budget constraints, and in order to offer as many campaigners as possible the opportunity to participate in the ISC, sponsored participants may be asked to share a room with another campaigner of the same gender. If you would prefer to be in a single room, the ICBL will cover the standard double room amount, and you will be responsible to cover the additional costs. The ICBL will cover the cost of your room but you must pay for all extra costs including telephone calls, internet access, mini-bar, laundry, etc. Please send your travel details as soon as possible and no later than 8 May 2008 to olivia@icbl.org.

• For ICBL non-sponsored participants: the ICBL has made block bookings at the Etap Hotel, which have been notified that you are covering your own costs. When making your hotel reservations it is very important to mention that you are part of the ICBL (reservation number 91477) and are looking to book one of the reserved rooms. In addition, please note any special room requirements at the time of booking. Please note that the ICBL cannot guarantee that these rooms will still be available at the time of your booking.

· Etap Hotel

· 26, Avenue Louis Casaï

· 1216 Genève-Cointrin

· Tel.: +41 (0)22 710 46 36

· Fax: +41 (0)22 710 46 10

· Email: h5653@accor.com

· Web: www.etaphotel.com

The Etap Hotel is situated a few minutes away from the airport, 15 minutes from the Cornavin trainstation and the lake and 30 minutes from the United Nations.

Rates: 101,30.- CHF/night for single room and 103,60.-CHF for double (112,30.- CHF and 125,60.-CHF with breakfast) from 31 May to 5 June 2008; From 6June: 152,30.-CHF/night for single room and 154,60.-CHF for double (163,30.-CHF and 176,60.-CHF with breakfast).

IMPORTANT: Please note that you’ll have to pay your room on arrival!

Payment method: Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, …) or cash (CHF, USD, Euro).

5. Transportation

In Geneva, you are responsible for your own transportation to the Hotel and to all the meeting venues unless previously agreed. Geneva has a very efficient public transportation system. From the Geneva airport you may take bus number 10 or the train to Geneva city centre. All trains stop at Geneva-Cornavin station (city centre).

To get to the Etap Hotel from the airport, take bus 10 (direction Onex-Cité) and get off at the stop Prailly (Balexert). It takes 7 minutes by bus, and then you’ll have to walk 3 minutes to get to the hotel from the bus stop.

· NEW!!With effect from January 2008, passengers holding a valid plane ticket can pick up a FREE ticket for public transport from the machine in the baggage collection area at the Arrival level. This ticket, offered by Geneva International Airport, allows you to use public transport in Geneva free for a period of 80 minutes.

· The "Geneva Transport Card" for all participants staying in a Hotel: Geneva Hotels offer a "Geneva Transport Card" to their guests for the whole duration of their stay. You may collect your card at the hotel reception upon check-in. This card is free of charge.

N.B.: You can visit the Geneva Public Transport website to search for other itineraries: www.tpg.ch

6. Venues

• The Intersessional Standing Committee Meetings will take place at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) building, Avenue de la Paix 7bis, Geneva, Switzerland.From the "Cornavin" train station you may use the following buses/trams:· Bus 1 direction "Jardin Botanique" and get off at the stop Jardin Botanique. The WMO building is on your left side.
  • Tram 13 or 15 direction Nations and get off at France, on the right you will see the WMO building. Walk down the stairs on your right and cross the parking lot toward the large green glass building, the WMO building.
  From the Etap Hotel, take the bus 10 (dir. Onex-Cité) or the bus 29 (dir. Molard) to get to the Cornavin station.

7. ICBL Activities

Coming soon

8. Schedule of events

Coming soon

9. Translation

Coming soon

10. Reimbursements (for ICBL sponsored participants)

• Please fill out the ICBL Registration Form that you have received with your invitation and provide your full travel details and estimated costs by 25 April 2008 or we will not be able to guarantee reimbursement.
• We will be issuing per diems and travel reimbursements throughout the week. A reimbursements schedule will be available in your welcome pack.

Per Diems:

• To receive your per diem you must provide the ICBL with your boarding passes, photocopy of your plane ticket, and copy of all other travel receipts. We cannot provide reimbursement for expenses without receipts. Once we receive your receipts, your per diem will be issued. The per diem rate is 60.- CHF per day/30.- CHF per half day (arrival after 12h00, departure before 12h00). Per diems will be provided in Swiss Francs.

Reimbursements:

• The ICBL will reimburse the following costs: economy round-trip plane ticket to Geneva, local transportation to/from airport in country of origin, airport departure taxes and visa expenses.
• The ICBL will directly cover the cost of accommodation in Geneva.
• The ICBL will NOT cover these costs: travel insurance, additional expenses in hotel rooms such as laundry, mini bar service, telephone calls, internet, faxes, taxi fares or for extended stays before or after meetings.
• If you must spend a night in transit at a hotel you must confirm with us in advance. For expenses during travel such as meals during layovers, the ICBL will reimburse up to the equivalent of one day per diem for meals on a case-by-case basis.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at icbl@icbl.org or at +41 (0)76 220 86 87 / +41 (0)22 920 03 25 should you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you in Geneva.