Printed from: www.icbl.org/Treaty/MBT/Annual-Meetings/10MSP/logistical-memo-1
Dear Campaigners,
The 10th meeting of the States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty (10 MSP) will be held from 29 November to 3 December 2010 in Geneva, Switzerland. You will find below some useful logistics information you may need to attend this meeting.
The 10MSP will be held in the United Nations premises in Geneva from 29 November to 3 December 2010.
Background documents for the meeting are available on the Antipersonnel Mine Ban Convention website.
Also, for information on this meeting, please visit the 10 MSP page on the ICBL website.
All members of the ICBL delegation, sponsored and non-sponsored, participating in the 10MSP, must both register with the ICBL and with the United Nations in order to get their UN security identification badge.
To register to the 10 MSP please:
Click here to register online with the ICBL by 15 November 2010 (the link will open in a new window.)Please fill out the form with as much information as possible.
and
Click here to register with the United Nations in Geneva by 20 November 2010 by filling out the UN security registration form (the link will open in a new window.)Please send the form directly to the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs by email to aplc.msp@unog.ch or by fax to +41 (0)22 917 00 34. Please also bring this form with you on the 1st day of the conference when you go to get your UN Security Identification Badge.
All participants are responsible for applying for all visas and transit visas required to travel to and enter Switzerland. If you need a visa to enter Switzerland or a transit visa apply for it immediately. Please note that Switzerland is now part of the Schengen area. Please visit Switzerland's Federal Department of Foreign Affairs website where you will find information about visa applications and the list of Swiss representations abroad: www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/reps.html
You can download the visa application form on the web-page of Switzerland's Federal Office of Migration where you can find as well further information about the entry to Switzerland: www.bfm.admin.ch/bfm/en/home/themen/einreise.html
Please note that the visa application process can be lengthy one. In order to make sure that you get your visa in time, you should contact the Swiss representation in your country as soon as possible. ICBL can send a letter to these representations to try to expedite the visa process. In order for us to do so, we will need your passport details as required in the registration form. Please send them to us as soon as possible. If you require such assistance, please contact Clémence Caraux at clemence@icbl.org.
Non-sponsored participants:Non-sponsored participants will be responsible for making the necessary accommodation arrangements. The ICBL has however reserved a set amount of rooms at specific hotels in Geneva. A chart listing all of the hotels, ICBL-discounted prices, contact details and most importantly the cancellation deadlines is available in the hotels page. Please note that, after the deadlines, these rooms will no longer be reserved and you will need to find alternative accommodation.
IMPORTANT - when making your hotel reservations, don't forget to mention that you are part of the ICBL and are looking to book one of the reserved rooms at the special ICBL-discount rate. In addition, please note any special room requirements at the time of booking.
Sponsored participants:
The ICBL will make hotel bookings for sponsored participants. Due to budget constraints, and in order to offer as many campaigners as possible the opportunity to participate in the 10MSP, sponsored participants may be asked to share a room with another campaigner of the same gender.
Should you prefer being in a single room, the ICBL will cover the standard double room rate, and you will be responsible for covering any additional accommodation costs. The ICBL will cover the cost of your room but you will have to pay for any extra costs including telephone calls, internet access, mini-bar, laundry, etc.
Please provide your travel details as soon as possible and no later than 15 November 2010 through the ICBL online registration (see above.)
In Geneva, you are responsible for your own transportation to the hotel and to all the meeting venues. Please note that 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. Please note that all trains leaving the airport stop at Geneva-Cornavin station (city centre). 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 for free for a period of 80 minutes.
In Geneva: 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.
You may visit the Geneva Public Transport website (www.tpg.ch) for more detailed information on transportation or to create your itinerary within Geneva.
Please register online with the ICBL and indicate your full travel details and estimated costs by 15 November 2010 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.
We strongly advise sponsored participants to choose the option of being reimbursed, for their travel expenses, via wire transfer. Unfortunately, Geneva has a bad reputation for pickpockets.
Per diems:
To receive your per diem you must provide the ICBL with your boarding passes, photocopy of your plane ticket and travel receipts. We cannot provide reimbursement for expenses without receipts. Please note that transportation in Geneva is included in the per diem. Once we receive all 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 or departure before 12h00). Per diems will be provided in Swiss Francs. Reimbursements:
The ICBL will reimburse your travel costs (one economy round trip airfare + transportation to/from the airport in your country) and visa expenses, upon presentation, in Geneva, of your boarding pass and original receipts for the ticket and visa.
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 extended stays before or after meetings.
There is free airport-city and public transportation in Geneva, therefore the ICBL will not reimburse any transportation in Geneva, except under exceptional duly justified circumstances.
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.
Orientation Session
On Sunday 28 November, ICBL will organize a 10MSP Orientation Session (16:00 to 18:00) for ICBL campaigners. This will be held at the "Maison des Associations Socio-Politiques", 15 rue des Savoises, 1205 Genève.
Welcome Drinks
At 18:00, all ICBL campaigners and friends are invited to join us for an informal Welcome drink. The location will be confirmed soon.
During the 10 MSP
The ICBL will also organise daily briefings, media outreach and other activities throughout the week and expects you to participate fully. We also encourage you to take part in some of the many side events being held at the Palais des Nations. A detailed schedule of the week's activities will be provided at a later stage.
You can visit the ICBL 10MSP webpage for further information. This webpage will be updated on a regular basis to provide you all the information needed to attend the meeting. The present logistics memo, as well as other logistical information will also be available on the website.
Please do not hesitate to contact Clémence Caraux at clemence@icbl.org or at +41 (0)22 920 03 25 should you have any questions.
We look forward to seeing you in Geneva!
The ICBL Staff