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The Government of the Argentinean Republic, on behalf of the National Registry of Persons, in coordination with the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) will host the XV Meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Council for Civil Registration, Identity and Vital Statistics (CLARCIEV) from October 17-19. CONTENTS Introduction and information on organizers Information on host country: Colombia. Event Venue Transfers Hosting Meals Information about the host city of the event. Language Currency and Exchange Rate Migration Procedures and Visas Time Zone and Phone Area Codes Attire Weather Electric Current Taxes Tips Emergencies Contacts (Organizing Team) 4 6 6 8 8 9 9 12 12 12 DOCUMENT 3
ABOUT THE LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN COUNCIL OF CIVIL REGISTRY, IDENTITY AND VITAL STATISTICS The Latin American and Caribbean Council of Civil Registry, Identity and Vital Statistics (CLARCIEV) has as its mission the importance of the right to identity in the region through the promotion of the exchange of experiences among the different Civil Registry and Identification institutions that make it up. The CLARCIEV holds annual meetings in which member countries participate accompanied by relevant actors and experts in matters related to Civil Registry, Identity and Vital Statistics. These meetings have become a unique space to meet, discuss and exchange experiences on the common challenges faced by member countries concerning this subject. To date, fourteen CLARCIEV meetings have been held in different cities of the region. NATIONAL REGISTRY OF CIVIL STATUS - RNEC The National Registry of Civil Status is an entity with administrative, contractual and budgetary autonomy, organized in a deconcentrated manner, which is responsible for the registration of civil life and identification of Colombians, the realization of electoral processes and the mechanisms of citizen participation with full guarantees for Colombians. The entity is organized into two levels, the central level, with national competence, and the decentralized level, whose competence is circumscribed to a specific territorial circumscription. The two levels participate in the design of the plans, policies and general programs of the administration as well as in their execution. At its central level, the entity has two Delegate Registrars, one in the Electoral and one for the Civil Registry and Identification, while at the decentralized level it has Departmental Delegations, District and Municipal Registrars, Auxiliary Registrars and one for the District Capital of Bogotá. The specific functions of the Registry are: to direct and organize elections, adopt civil registry policies in Colombia, be responsible for the identification of all Colombians and protect the exercise of the right to suffrage and identification of people. The National Registrar of Civil Status, for its part, has in accordance with the Political Constitution of Colombia, the function of directing and organizing elections, the civil registry and the identification of the persons and the others assigned by law. 4 DOCUMENT
ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES - OAS The Organization of American States is the oldest regional body in the world, whose origin dates back to the First International Conference of American States, held in Washington, DC, from October 1889 to April 1890. At this meeting, it was agreed to create the Union International of American Republics and began to weave a network of dispositions and institutions that would come to be known as inter-american system, the oldest international institutional system. The Organization was founded with the aim of achieving in its Member States, as stipulated in Article 1 of the Charter, an order of peace and justice, to foster their solidarity, strengthen their collaboration and defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity and Their independence. Today, the OAS brings together the 35 independent states of the Americas and constitutes the main political, legal and social governmental forum of the Hemisphere. In addition, it has granted Permanent Observer status to 69 States, as well as to the European Union (EU). To achieve its most important purposes, the OAS is based on its main pillars, which are democracy, human rights, security and development. XV MEETING OF THE LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN COUNCIL OF CIVIL REGISTRY, IDENTITY AND VITAL STATISTICS. The XV meeting of CLARCIEV will be held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, on October 17, 18 and 19, 2017. On this occasion, the meeting is organized by the National Registry of Civil Status of Colombia in conjunction with the Organization of the American States (OAS), and will have as its central theme: Registration and Identity: Pillars for the sustainable development of Latin America and the Caribbean. Below is a general description of the venue and activities of the XV Meeting of CLARCIEV. For a detailed description of each day s schedule, consult the Meeting Agenda. DOCUMENT 5
HOST COUNTRY: COLOMBIA OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Colombia. CAPITAL: Bogotá. Capital District (d.c.) MAIN CITIES: Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, Cartagena, Bucaramanga, Cúcuta, Manizales, Ibagué, Neiva, Popayán y Pasto POPULATION: 49.381.443. SURFACE: 2.129.748km2 CLIMATE: tropical, without seasons, varies according to the different geographical elevations. EXPORTS: coffee, cotton, cocoa, oil, plastics, iron, steel, coal, fruits, lords, textiles LENGUAGE: Spanish. CURRENCY: COlombian peso. CODE FOR CALLS: +57 HOURS: UTC/ GMT-5 EVENT VENUE The XV Meeting of CLARCIEV will be held at the Hotel Hyatt Rengency Cartagena. Hyatt Regency Cartagena Address: Carrera 1 #12-8, Cartagena, Colombia, 130000 Web page: https://www.hyatt.com/en-us/hotel/colombia/ hyatt-regency-cartagena/ctgrc Hotel Reception: +57 5 694 1234 CHECK IN: 3:00 p.m. - CHECK OUT: 12:00 p.m. Cost of room per night: Including VAT and lodging tax 6 DOCUMENT
LOCALIZATION MAP TRASLADOS From Rafael Núñez International Airport to Event Venue (Hyatt Regency Cartagena). Rafael Núñez International Airport, also known as Cartagena de Indias Airport, is located in the urban area of Cartagena. A transportation service will be offered for the representatives of the countries and representatives of the Colombian provinces participating in the XV Meeting of CLARCIEV. The transportation schedule will be agreed with the participants according to their respective travel itineraries. There are several transportation alternatives for the airport-hotel-airport transfer. It is recommended to use the accredited transportation services (taxis) at Rafael Núñez International Airport. Car rental is also available in Cartagena. RADIO TAXI CARTAGENA: Phone: (+57) 5 642 4242 TAXI LIBRE: Phone: (+57) 5 666 4913 CAR RENT CARTAGENA: Phone: (+57) 5 580 9004 There are also taxis not affiliated with the above companies, which rates vary according to distance traveled. Taxi fares are in Colombian pesos (COP). Private transportation is also available through smartphone application UBER The cost is according to the distance traveled and the cost is automatically charged to the passenger s credit card. Public Transportation in the City of Cartagena: TransCaribe Nearest Metrobus Stations: The Troncales (Red) route is closest to Hyatt Regency hotel. DOCUMENT 7
HOSTING The heads of country delegations attending the XV Meeting of CLARCIEV will be staying at the Hyatt Regency Cartagena. Any additional night, change in room type, room service, consumption in the hotel (including phone calls, fax, minibar, food, laundry, tips etc.) must be requested and covered directly by the participants. The other members of the country or provincial delegations to the XV Meeting of CLARCIEV must make their own reservations at the Hyatt Regency Cartagena (in the following link: https://www.hyatt.com/en-us/hotel/colombia/hyatt-regency-cartagena/ctgrc/rooms or at the hotel of their choice, keeping the organizers informed of their hotel s location. Below are some options of hotels located near the event venue hotel. Average rate single Hotel Address and / or double base with breakfast and Web taxes Distance from headquarters hotel Hotel Estelar Carrera 1 Calle 12 esquina $142,00 www.estelarcartagenadeindias.com 50 metros Hollyday Inn Express Bocagrande Cra. 2 #9-54, Cartagena, Bolívar $85,85 www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels 750 metros Hotel Hampton By Hilton Calle 8 Av. San Martín $85,79 www.hiltonhotels.com 950 metros Hotel Intercontinental Bocagrande Carrera 1 No.5-01 $153,34 www.intercontinental.com 1.5 kilómetros Hotel Santa Teresa Carrera 3 # 31-23 Centro Plaza de Santa Teresa $364,68 www.hotelcharlestonsantateresa.com 1,5 kilómetros Hotel Caribe Carrera 1 # 2-87, Bocagrande $121,36 www.hotelcaribe.com 1,7 kilómetros Hotel Admirante Bocagrande, Avenida San Martín, Calle 6 Esquina $106,73 www.hotelalmirantecartagena.com.co 1,8 kilómetros Hotel Santa Clara Calle Del Torno 39-29 Barrio San Diego $3,12 www.accorhotels.com 2,3 kilómetros * Costs subject to change without notice, due to the fluctuation of the dollar. 8 DOCUMENT
MEALS Breakfast: Breakfast and coffee breaks will be offered as part of the sessions of the XIV Meeting of CLARCIEV. Lunch: Lunches will be held at the event s hotel and will be offered to accredited representatives participating in the work sessions. Information regarding the precise time and place of the lunch will be provided at the beginning of each session, according to the work schedule. Dinners Dinners will be held in different locations on Wednesday October 17 and Thursday October 18. The precise time and place of dinners will be announced at the beginning of each session, according to the work schedule. There is no organized dinner scheduled on Friday, October 19. CARTAGENA DE INDIAS INFORMATION ABOUT THE CITY. Founded on June 1, 1533 by the Spaniard Pedro de Heredia. Cartagena is the capital of the department of Bolívar and since 1991 it is a Tourist and Cultural district. During the time of the Spanish conquest this city was one of the most important ports in America and received multiple attacks by European pirates and corsairs. Its historic center was declared National Heritage of Colombia 1959 and by Unesco World Heritage Site in 1984.
PLACES OF INTEREST Historical Center or walled city: near the hotel enjoy architecture, squares, churches, restaurants and nightclubs. Plaza San Diego, Plaza Santo Domingo, Plaza de Santa Teresa; the Cathedral, Church of San Toribio, Church of Santo Domingo, among many others. Islas del Rosario: the speed boat trip takes about 45 minutes starting from the La Bodeguita dock in the Historic Center. There are different tour operators that offer service to the islands, we recommend making reservations in advance. If the budget and time permit, sleep at least one night. Beautiful white sand beaches, corals and transparent water. Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas: It is located on the hill of San Lázaro and was built in 1536 by the Spaniards. This monument was declared National Patrimony of Colombia 1959 and by Unesco Patrimony of the Humanity in 1984. Barú: 30 km from Cartagena, you will find white sand beaches and crystal clear sea, you can arrive by boat or by land 10 DOCUMENT
LENGUAGE The official language of the XV Meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Council of civil registration, identity and vital statistics will be Spanish and the sessions will have simultaneous translation into English. CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE RATE The currency of Colombia is the Peso ($)(COP) and its fraction is 100 cents. There are bills of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 500000, and 100000 pesos. ($); and coins of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 cents ( ), and 1000 pesos. The Peso-US Dollar exchange rate is: 2892.00 COP = 1 USD (information as of August 4, 2018). The quote may vary. Currency can be changed in hotels, at the airport, and at banks. The opening hours are from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm for banks. Credit and debit cards are accepted at most commercial establishments. However, it is recommended to carry some cash, as there are small establishments that do not accept credit cards. ATMs are available at most banks, malls and hotels. MIGRATION PROCEDURES AND VISAS In order to call a landline in Colombia from outside the country, all you need to do is enter the country code (0057) the area code and the fixed number, which is 7 digits. ATTIRE Casual formal: linen or cotton clothing, appropriate for tropical climate at sea level. The meeting room has air conditioning and it is recommended to have a lightweight garment on hand. WEATHER The climate in the city of Cartagena for the month of October is generally warm, with bright days and cool, or temperate nights. In terms of temperature, the month of October is characterized by an average temperature of 28.8 C, with an average maximum of 30.5 C and an average minimum of 26.1 C. It is advisable to look for updated weather information in the days prior to the event. ELECTRICAL CURRENT The electric current in Colombia is 0 volts and the Type A and Type B plugs are used. Participants who require visas must apply at the Embassies or Consulates of Argentina in their country or place of residence. If you require assistance and information, please contact the organizing team of the event whose contact telephone numbers appear at the end of this newsletter. You will find information about the nationalities that require a visa to enter Argentina at the following electronic link: http://www.migraciones.gov.ar/accesible/indexp.php?visas Devices with different voltages require an adapter to use. TIME ZONE AND PHONE AREA CODES The time zone in Colombia is UTC/GTM -5 hours. The country code is +57, and the one for the City of Cartagena is 5. For calls to phones outside of Colombia you must dial +57, followed by the area code and the local number. TAXES All purchases in Colombia are taxed with a 19% value added tax (VAT). DOCUMENT
TIPS In Colombia, tips are not mandatory; however it is a common gesture. If you consider that the attention has been correct, the recommended tip is around 10% of the total consumption (bars, restaurants, pizzerias, restobars and the like and for other services, such as hotel waiters). In taxis and remises (a private car service) the tip is a few extra pesos over the cost of the ticket. EMERGENCIES It is recommended that all participants and their companions travel with travel insurance as a precaution. Although optional, it is considered a recommended courtesy to give a symbolic amount as a tip to hotel staff (bell boys, waiters, maids) for services provided. CONTACTS ORGANIZING TEAM For any question related to the event s logistics, please contact the members of the organizing teams at the following telephone numbers and email addresses: National Registry of Civil Status Carolina Robledo Leeb Email: crobledo@registraduria.gov.co Teléfono: +57 1 220 0879 Ext. 1556 Arianna Espinosa Oliver Email: aespinosa@registraduria.gov.co Teléfono: +57 1 220 0879 Ext. 1946 Organization of American States Rebeca Omaña Email: romana@oas.org Teléfono: +1 (973) 437-6684; 202 370 4881 Julián Najles Email: JNajles@oas.org Teléfono: +1 (973) 437-6684; 202 370 4881 12 DOCUMENT