CONTENTS:

1. Introduction

2. Registration

3. New UN Security Identification Badges

4. Visas

5. Accommodation

6. New Transportation

7. New Venues

8. New ICBL Activities

9. New Schedule of Events

10. New Translation

11. Reimbursements – for ICBL sponsored participants only

1.) Introduction

The 7th Meeting of States Parties will be held at the United Nations premises in Geneva from 18 to 22 September 2006. The meeting is a pivotal event in the life of both the Mine Ban Treaty and the civil society movement against landmines. For background information on the 7MSP, official documents, ICBL documents on the 7MSP, action alerts and much more, please visit 7MSP Main Page.

Additional information is available on the official 7MSP website at http://www.7msp.org.

2.) Registration

Registration is now closed.

3.) UN Security Identification Badges

All 7MSP participants require official UN Security Identification Badges to enter the conference venue.

• All Participants: in order to obtain their badge, all participants must register with the UN Department for Disarmament Affairs directly. Please fill out the UN Registration From and send it by email to aplc.msp@unog.ch or by fax to +41 (0)22 917 00 34. Please note that this form needs to be filled out and returned to the United Nations by 1st September 2006. The Security Identification Badges will be available for pick up as of Friday 15th September 2006 at 2 p.m. at the UNOG Safety and Security Section, Pass and Identification Unit, located at the Pregny Gate, 8 - 14 avenue de la Paix, 1211 Geneva 10.
• • Please note that you must bring the original UN Registration Form duly filled out along with a valid Passport or ID in order to collect your badge.
  • UN Registration Form

4.) Visas

Participants are responsible for applying for all visas required to travel to and enter Switzerland. Please note that most people traveling 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 United Nations Invitation and your ICBL invitation letter to the 7MSP with you when applying for visas. If you encounter any challenges when applying for visas please contact Daiana Savage at savage@icbl.org.

• United Nations invitation to the 7MSP

5.) Accommodation

• For ICBL sponsored participants: most of the sponsored participants will stay at the Hotel International and Terminus. Due to budget constraints, and in order to offer as many campaigners as possible the opportunity to participate in the 7MSP, 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 15th August 2006 to savage@icbl.org.

• For ICBL non-sponsored participants: the ICBL has made block bookings at Mandat Welcome Centre, the Hotel Astoria, the Hotel Mon Repos, the Hotel Montana, Hotel Savoy, Hotel Suisse, Hotel Edelweiss, Hotel Royal and Hotel Epsom. All Hotels are located within easy walking distance from each other. Please note that for the Hotel Mon Repos the breakfast is not included in the room rate and that you have to book through the ICBL. Hotels have been notified that you are covering your own costs. You will find the list of Hotels below.
• IMPORTANT – when making your hotel reservations it is very important 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.
• WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THESE ROOMS WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN YOU BOOK THEM.

Hotels with ICBL block-bookings:

• Mandat International Welcome Centre

31, chemin William Rappard

CH-1293 Bellevue, Switzerland

Tel: +41 22 959 88 55

Fax: +41 22 959 88 51

Email: admin@mandint.org

Web: www.mandint.org

Features: Please note that this is not a Hotel but a place in Geneva to welcome NGO delegates and provide them with low-cost accommodation (between 20 and 30 Swiss francs per night, breakfast included). The Centre is located in the outskirts of Geneva, 10 minutes from the airport and the United Nations. It offers free shuttle bus to the conference sites and free Internet access. The Centre has a lodging capacity of 36 with rooms with 2, 3 or 4 beds, as well as a dormitory with 6 beds. Priority will be given to delegates coming from developing countries.

• Hotel Astoria ***

6, Place de Cornavin

CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland

Tel.: +41 (0)22 544 52 52

Fax: +41 (0)22 544 52 54

Email: hotel@astoria-geneve.ch

Web: www.astoria-geneve.ch

Features: The Hotel Astoria is situated in front of the railway station, 15 minutes from the airport and 10 minutes from the United Nations. Rooms are equipped with direct phone, minibar, WI-FI Internet Connection, modem plug, Tv sat., Pay-Tv systems and radio. The Hotel has internet access in the lobby. Rates: 165 CHF/night for single room and 210 CHF/night for double room. Buffet breakfast, taxes and services are included. Payment method: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Diners, Maestro, JCB, cash (CHF, USD, Euro).

• Hotel Mon Repos***

131-133, Rue de Lausanne

CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland

Features: The Hotel Mon Repos is a few minutes walk from the railway stations, 15 minutes from the airport and 10 minutes from the United Nations. Rooms are equipped with direct phone, safe and mini-bar, WI-FI Internet Connection and cable television. Rates: 158.90CHF/night for single room (single rooms are only available from 14 to 17 and from 22 to 24 September), and 207.80 CHF/night for double room. Buffet breakfast (18 CHF) and taxes (1.95CHF per night per person) are NOT included. Payment method: Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Amex, Diners, JCB, cash (CHF, USD, Euro).

• Hotel Savoy***

8, Place Cornavin

CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland

Tel.: +41 (0)22 906 47 00

Fax: +41 (0)22 906 47 90

Email: info@hotel-savoy.net

Web: www.hotels-suisse.ch/savoy

Features: The Hotel Savoy is situated in front of the railway stations, 15 minutes from the airport and 10 minutes from the United Nations. Rooms are equipped with A/C, TV, Pay T.V. and satellite T.V., WI-FI Internet Connection, direct phone, PC sockets, hairdryer, minibar and safe. Rooms with Kitchenette are also available. Rates: 165 CHF/night for single room and 195 CHF/night for double room. Buffet breakfast, taxes and services are included. Payment method: Visa, Mastercard, Ec-Direct, American Express, Diners, Postcard, cash (CHF, USD, Euro).

• Hotel Suisse***

10, Place de Cornavin

CH1201 Geneva, Switzerland

Tel.: +41 (0)22 732 66 30

Fax: +41 (0)22 732 62 39

Email: reservation@hotel-suisse.ch

Web: www.hotel-suisse.ch

Features: The Hotel Suisse is situated in front of the railway stations, 15 minutes from the airport and 10 minutes from the United Nations. Rooms are equipped A/C, TV, Pay TV and Satellite TV, WI-FI Internet Connection, radio, direct phone, hairdryer, minibar and safe. Rates: 197 CHF/night for double room. Buffet breakfast, taxes and services are included. Payment method: Visa, Mastercard, Ec-Direct, American Express, Diners, Postcard, JCB, cash (CHF, USD, Euro).

• Hotel Edelweiss***

2, place de la Navigation

CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland

Tel.: +41 (0)22 544 51 51

Fax: +41 (0)22 544 51 99

Email: edelweiss@manotel.com

Web: www.manotel.com/edelweiss

Features: The Hotel Edelweiss is situated a few minutes away from the railway stations, 20 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from the United Nations. Rooms are equipped with flat screen TV, free WI-FI Internet Connection, radio, direct phone, hairdryer, minibar and safe. Rates: 209 CHF/night for double room. Buffet breakfast, taxes and services are included. Payment method: Visa, Mastercard, Ec-Direct, American Express, Diners, Postcard, JCB, MyOne, cash (CHF, USD, Euro).

• Hotel Royal****

41, rue de Lausanne

CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland

Tel.: +41 (0)22 906 14 14

Fax: +41 (0)22 906 14 99

Email: royal@manotel.com

Web: www.manotel.com/royal

Features: The Hotel Royal is situated a few minutes away from the railway stations, 20 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from the United Nations. Rooms are equipped with flat screen TV, free WI-FI Internet Connection, radio, direct phone, hairdryer, minibar and safe. The Hotel features a fitness center with sauna and hammam. Rates: 233 CHF/night for single room and 261 CHF/night for double room. Buffet breakfast, taxes and services are included. Payment method: Visa, Mastercard, Ec-Direct, American Express, Diners, Postcard, JCB, MyOne, cash (CHF, USD, Euro).

• Hotel Epsom****

18, rue Richemont

CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland

Tel.: +41 (0)22 544 66 66

Fax: +41 (0)22 544 66 99

Email: epsom@manotel.com

Web: www.manotel.com/epsom

Features: The Hotel Epsom is situated a few minutes away from the railway stations, 20 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from the United Nations. Rooms are equipped with flat screen TV, free WI-FI Internet Connection, radio, direct phone, hairdryer, minibar and safe. The Hotel features a fitness center. Rates: 233 CHF/night for single room and 261 CHF/night for double room. Buffet breakfast, taxes and services included. Payment method: Visa, Mastercard, Ec-Direct, American Express, Diners, Postcard, JCB, MyOne, cash (CHF, USD, Euro).

For Sponsored Participants:

• Hotel International and Terminus***

20, rue des Alpes

CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland

Tel.: +41 (0)22 906 97 77

Fax: +41 (0)22 906 97 78

Email : international-terminus@swissonline.ch

Web: www.international-terminus.ch

If you wish to stay at another hotel you are responsible for making your own booking.

6.) Transportation

• Geneva has a very efficient public transportation system. From the Geneva Airport you may take bus number 10 or the train to the Geneva Cornavin train station in the city center and just a few minutes walk from the Hotels. Ticket are available at the bus stop (ticket machines) or the train station in the airport. Fares from 3.- Chf. We suggest you buy a bus card, available at every press shop, for credits between 20.- and 100.- Chf, or a weekly pass for 35.- Chf at the Geneva Public Transport Office (Geneva Cornavin train station).
• Taxis: taxi fare may vary between 30.- and 50.- Chf depending on traffic
  • Taxi AA New Cab: Tel. +41(0)22 320 20 20
  • Taxi-Phone Centrale (24h) : Tel. +41(0)22 331 41 33

7.) Venues

• The 7th Meeting of States Parties to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty will be held at the United Nations premises in Geneva
• The ICBL Working Meeting on Advocacy/Lobbying (10h00 to 12h00) and the Orientation Session (14h00 to 16h00) will take place on Sunday 17th September at:

Maison des Associations
Salle Rachel Carson

Rue des Savoises 15
1204 - Genève
Téléphone : +41 22 329 20 22
Téléfax : +41 22 329 20 23

Bus 1 or tram 13, get off at "Cirque".

8.) ICBL Activities

• The ICBL Working Meeting on Advocacy/Lobbying (10h00 to 12h00) and the Orientation Session (14h00 to 16h00) will take place on Sunday 17th September. We encourage all campaigners and researchers to participate in these meeting to prepare for the week’s events.

• ICBL morning briefings will be held from 18th to 22nd September from 9h00 –10h00. All campaigners are urged to fully participate in these important daily briefings. They provide an opportunity to strategize and organize lobbying activities, to report on activities and efforts, to review events from the previous day, to make announcements and to prepare for the current day of activities.

9.) Schedule of Events

Please click here for the updated

10.) Translation

All major meetings will be translated in the official UN languages.

11.) Reimbursements – for ICBL sponsored participants only

• Please provide your full travel details and estimated costs before arrival. We must have your estimated travel costs by the 15th August 2006 or we will not be able to guarantee reimbursement in Geneva.
• We will be issuing per diems and travel reimbursements throughout the week. An accounting schedule will be available in your welcome pack

Per Diems:

• To receive your per diem you must provide the ICBL with your boarding pass, a photocopy of your plane ticket, and the original 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 should 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.