UNFCCC Regional Workshop on Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions for Africa Windhoek, Namibia 1 3 October 2014 INFORMATION SHEET MEETING VENUE The UNFCCC regional workshop on nationally appropriate mitigation actions for Africa will be held from 1 to 3 October 2014 at: Kalahari Sands Hotel & Casino, 129 Independent Ave, Windhoek 9000 Phone: +264 61 280 0000 REGISTRATION OF PARTICIPANTS Registration of nominated experts for the workshop will be on Monday, 1 October 2014 from 08:00 to 09:00 a.m. at the Kalahari Sands Hotel & Casino, 129 Independent Ave, Windhoek 9000 Identification badges will be issued to participants at registration. Please present your national passport for registration and also your original boarding passes for preparation of DSA payment if applicable. CONTACT IN CASE OF EMERGENCY Contact for Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Namibia Mrs. Padelia Ndjaleka Tel.: +264 61 2842712 Cell: +264 811 294 734 Email: ndawapeka@gmail.com/pndjaleka@met.na Contacts for the UNFCCC secretariat Mr. Claudio Forner Team Lead Email: cforner@unfccc.int Tshering Sherpa Programme Officer Email: tsherpa@unfccc.int
UNFCCC Regional Workshop on Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions for Africa Windhoek, Namibia 1 3 October 2014 VISA Important note on visa requirements All visitors to the Republic of Namibia must have a valid passport (at least for six months after date of departure). For the purposes of attending conferences or workshops, participants from all countries require an entry visa, except for those coming from the 56 exempted countries listed here. The participants are also recommended to check if they require a transit visa for travelling via the Republic of South Africa. Helpful links: http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/index.php/types-of-visashttp://www.home-affairs.gov.za/index.php/types-of-visas http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/exempt-countries Workshop participants are required to make their own arrangements for issuance of entry visa to Namibia. The secretariat will make arrangements with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (national focal point) in Namibia to issue visas on arrival for those participants who do not have a Namibian Embassy/Consulate in their country. Should you need a visa upon arrival, please inform the secretariat at your earliest convenience and no later than Friday 12 September 2014. For facilitating visa on arrival, following documents have to be provided: 1) scanned copy of your complete and signed visa application form (Annex 1) 2) scanned copy of your valid passport
Page 3 DAILY SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE (DSA) Funded participants are eligible for DSA in accordance with UNFCCC rules. The DSA for Windhoek, Namibia is currently US$ 182 per day (effective 1 August 2014) and may evolve by the time of the workshop. It is calculated from the official arrival day for the workshop depending on the flight schedule, through the conclusion of the workshop with the expected departure the next day plus one day DSA deemed to cover miscellaneous travel expenses including visa and airport taxes*. The DSA described above represents the total entitlement to be provided at the meeting. DSA will be available for collection at the meeting venue on the first workshop day during the lunch break. Please make sure to present your passport, and original boarding passes at registration before claiming DSA. Note on Travel Any changes made to the date of departure and/or arrival may incur a fee. Changes for private reasons are to be paid by the traveller. The UNFCCC secretariat will not be responsible for costs associated with any changes you may wish to make to your ticket, for example upgrading, re-routing or stop-overs. TRANSPORTATION The airport is about 40 km away from Windhoek. There are taxis and airport transfers can also be arranged with the hotels. ACCOMMODATION Indicative list of accommodations: (see annex) HEALTH REQUIREMENTS With respect to health requirements and precautions to be taken by participants travelling to Namibia, the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol (the Secretariat) informs all participants that they should consult and seek medical advice from their physicians/doctors and take medical precautions as advised. You are strongly advised to obtain international travel and medical insurance to cover the period of your departure for the meeting until the time of your return as indicated above. The UNFCCC Secretariat disclaim all responsibility for medical accident and travel insurance, for compensation, death or disability, loss or damage to personal property and for any other costs or losses that may be incurred during travel time or the period of participation in the workshop. Yellow fever: If you arrive from or transit through countries with risk of yellow fever virus transmission you are required to present proof of yellow fever vaccination.
Page 4 GENERAL INFORMATION ON DURING YOUR STAY IN NAMIBIA Currency: The Currency in Namibian dollar (NAD), 1US$ = 7.97 NAD (note that the exchange rates fluctuate). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the airport and at various foreign currency bureaus; a positive identification travel document is required. The bank exchange rate varies on a daily basis. ATMs: Automatic tellers and mini ATMs are usually located at banks, shopping centres and petrol stations. Credit cards: Credit cards are accepted, the most common being American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa. Cash: The legal tender in Namibia is the Namibian dollar (NAD) which is fixed and equal to the South African Rand (ZAR) which can also be used. US Dollars are NOT accepted for purchases and must be cashed at banks and some hotels. Drinking Water: The quality of tap water is good in most places, although taste may vary. Security: Namibia is a politically stable country. Electricity: The electric power in Namibia is 220 volts. Electric Plug Details: Three round-pin type holes sockets are usually in use. Language: English is the official language. Telephone country code: +264 Temperature/Weather: From June to August Namibia cools down and dries out, by September and October it warms up again. Umbrella is recommended. With highest average temperature being around 30 degrees Celsius and the lowest average temperature being around 15 degrees Celsius: Time: Summer time: GMT + 2 hours from the 1st Sunday in September to the 1st Sunday in April. Winter time: GMT + 1 hour from the 1st Sunday in April to the 1st Sunday in September. Business Hours: Business offices: 08:00 17:00 hrs, Monday to Friday Banks: 09:00 15:30 hrs, Mon. Fri. and 09:00 11:00 hrs Sat. Shops: 09:30 18:00 hrs, Mon. Fri. and 09:30 14:00 hrs Sat. Tax and Customs: General Sales Tax (GST) in Namibia is 15% on goods and services. Bona fide tourists to Namibia are exempt from paying sales duty or excise duty on luxury items. Visitors may reclaim VAT at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek or Walvis Bay Airport.
Page 5 INTERESTING PLACES TO VISIT IN NAMIBIA Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, is a tranquil, cosmopolitan city offering visitors and travellers a wide range of cultural diversions and entertainment. Craft markets offers a variety of Namibian arts and crafts. Maerua Park - Recreation and Entertainment centre, with a diverse range of formal and informal restaurants, supermarkets, boutiques, amphitheatre, cinemas, children's playground and games area. Namibian Craft Centre - Art and handicraft from all over Namibia. Penduka Craft Village - Namibian women project offering textiles, crafts, bed and table linen in ethnic designs. Soweto Market - Offering a variety of handicrafts, clothes, ethnic jewellery, music, food and refreshments and other interesting artifacts. Located in Katutura, Independence Avenue. Cultural excursions that can be unddertaken: College of the Arts - Featuring music, ballet and modern dance performances. National Theatre - Features formal drama productions and music and ballet performances. Warehouse Theatre - Situated in the old brewery building, this is an informal theatre, offering music and one-man shows. Franco Namibia Cultural Centre - English and French Films are shown during the week and the centre also promotes Namibian Art. Recommended places of interest in other parts of Namibia: Sossusvlei - The highest sand dunes in the world The Fish River Canyon - The Fish River Canyon is the second largest natural gorge in the world and the largest in Africa. Etosha National Park - One of Africa s best game reserves, during the dry season, tens of thousands of animals converge to drink at the waterholes.
Page 6 Contacts: Namibia Tourism Board Offices - Windhoek 1 st floor Channel Life Towers 39 Post Street Mall Private Bag 13244 Windhoek, Namibia Tel.: +264 61 2906000 Fax: +264 61 254848 Website: www.namibiatourism.com.na