LOGISTICS NOTE GEF IWEco Second Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting 26 February 1 March 2018 H10 HABANA PANORAMA HAVANA, CUBA The Caribbean Regional Coordination Unit of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP-CAR/RCU) welcomes all participants to the Second Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting of the GEF-funded Integrating Water, Land and Ecosystem Management in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (GEF-IWEco) Project. To ensure that your visit to Havana, Cuba is pleasant and productive, we have prepared the following information on the meeting, and your stay in Cuba, for your perusal: MEETING INFORMATION Dates: 26 February to 1 March 2018 Location: PSC Meeting Purpose: H10 Habana Panorama Av 3 & Calle 70 Miramar 110300-Miramar Havana, Cuba Tel. +53 7 2041000 a) Provide a refresher on the objectives of the GEF IWEco Project and expected outcomes (based on Results Framework); b) Present an overview of changes to original project documents and impacts on the original project budget (presentation of current project budget + proposed allocation to partners) c) Provide an update on the status of the project activities (Partners and Countries to present); d) Present and discuss the Work Plan for 2018, budget and monitoring mechanisms; e) Discuss the needs for a Project Extension request to the main donor (GEF); f) Identify opportunities for collaboration with other regional programmes, projects and private sector initiatives. Facilitators: UNEP-CAR RCU
Transportation from country of origin to Cuba UNEP is funding airline tickets for country members of the GEF IWEco Project, selected partners and resource personnel. Self-funded participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. Travel to Havana is via the Jose Marti International Airport. Please bear in mind that check-in for international and regional flights is two (2) hours prior to flight departure. The airport code is HAV. Boarding Passes In accordance with the guidelines governing the funding received to facilitate participants air travel, each funded participant is required to submit ALL ORIGINAL BOARDING PASSES for BOTH the INBOUND AND OUTBOUND legs of their air travel. All ORIGINAL Boarding Pass(-es) for the inbound leg of his/her air travel (travel to Havana) must be submitted to the designated UNEP representative at the Registration Desk at H10 Habana Panorama on 26 February 2018. All ORIGINAL Boarding Pass(-es) for the outbound air travel from the event must be scanned and sent via e-mail to dhh@cep.unep.org and then via mail to the following address: UNEP-CAR/RCU 14-20 Port Royal Street Kingston, Jamaica Tel.: (876) 922-9267 to 9 ext. 6243 Fax: (876) 922-9292 Attention: Donna Henry- Hernandez, AMEP Programme Assistant Email: dhh@unep.cep.org NB: Boarding Passes are used by the auditors to verify your attendance at a Meeting, as well as, the period of travel. Per Diem/DSA Each funded participant will be provided with a reduced per diem of 20% through the accounts provided. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the reduced amount is expected to be made five (5) days prior to travel, time permitting. The balance will be paid after receipt of return boarding passes from participants and the submission/approval of expense report by UNEP-CAR/RCU.
Accommodation Rooms will be blocked at the H10 Habana Panorama. Payment should be made directly to the Hotel upon arrival. The rate that we have been given is USD $120 per night. However, USD will not be accepted as payment therefore you will need to convert to CUC at the Cadeca at the airport (see note below). H10 Habana Panorama Av 3 & Calle 70 Miramar 110300-Miramar Havana, Cuba Tel. +53 7 2041000 Check in time is 3:00pm (1500hrs). Guests arriving before that time may be assigned rooms as they become available. Check out time is 12:00 noon. PSC Meeting location Meals Ground Transportation Meeting Dress Code: The PSC meeting will be held at the H10 Habana Panorama. The name of the meeting room is Salon Panorama. Lunch and Coffee Break (morning and afternoon) will be provided during the Meeting for all participants. All persons, however, are responsible for all other meals. Ground transportation (to and from airport) will not be provided. Allowance for this has been provided as part of your DSA payment. There is an approved airport taxi service which you are encouraged to use; the cost is approximately USD60.00. Business Casual
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR CUBA GENERAL INFORMATION All travellers must possess a valid passport with at least two (2) blank pages are required for entry/exit stamps, a return ticket, travel insurance policy with medical coverage for entry into Cuba. The courtesy visa is being processed. However, if that doesn t work out by Tuesday, 20 February 2018 then you will need to obtain a tourist card to enter Cuba, please check with the Cuban consulate in your country regarding obtaining this. YELLOW FEVER VACCINE Yellow fever vaccination certificate must be presented to Immigration Officials for visitors over nine (9) months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and/or travellers having transited more than 12 hours through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Failure to comply will result in entry into Cuba being denied. CURRENCY The Cuban peso (CUP) and the Cuban convertible peso (CUC) are both legal tender on the island, though neither is exchangeable in foreign markets. Do NOT take US dollars as there is still a 10% surcharge on exchanging them. This is the ONLY currency that is penalised in this way. Euro (EUR) is accepted at an approximate rate CUC 1.25 to EUR 1 and you can find rate information at local banks, or the daily newspapers. It is advisable to use international credit cards that are European based; they are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and malls. US credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba. ATM machines are located all throughout Havana; withdrawal may only be done from non-aligned US debit and credit cards. LANGUAGE The official language of Cuba is Spanish.
BANKING AND BUSINESS Banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. For the most part, banks are usually open Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm. However, Banco Financiero Internacional is open Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 3pm. The principal banks are Banco de Crédito y Comercio, Banco Popular de Ahorro, Banco Nacional de Cuba, Banco Financiero Internacional and Banco Metropolitano. Cadecas (Currency Exchange House) are located all over the country and are often times the best money exchange option. However, the lines are usually very long as they are usually used by locals to buy CUC with CUP or vice versa. If you are planning to use local transportation, buy produce at the local markets or buy local cuisine at a kiosk, you can exchange a few CUC to CUP at the Cadeca. HEALTH AND MEDICAL FACILITIES No special vaccines or precautions are required before your trip to Cuba, outside of the Yellow Fever vaccine (see note above), however you should pack all prescription medication you may require for the trip. It is advisable to drink only bottled water. Tap water in Cuba is generally safe for hygiene purposes in hotels. Bottled water can be purchased throughout Havana. Below is a listing of the closest health facility/ hospital in close proximity to the hotel: Central Clinic "Cira García" Address: Calle 20 No. 4101 esq. a Av. 41, Miramar, Playa. Phone: (53) 7 204 2811 Fax: (53) 7 204 1633 Email: publicas@cirag.cu In the case of a medical emergency your hotel can recommend doctors, dentists or the nearest hospital. For minor complaints, common over the counter medicines can be purchased at local pharmacies. Pharmacies are usually open from 8am until 8 or 9 p.m. ELECTRICITY
The standard voltage is 110 but most modern hotels have 220 volts. If this voltage is different from your home country, please ensure you have your adapters. Adapters can usually be purchased from local hardware and electrical stores. Canadian/ US travellers are especially advised that unless their appliances are dual voltage do not use plugs as is; a voltage converter will be needed to adjust the voltage to the voltage provided. Please check with the hotel reception desk which voltage is provided.