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Building peace in the minds of men and women

Practical Information


© UNESCO

 

Practical information for attendants of WPFD 2019 international conference

1-3 May, Addis Ababa

 

Venue

1 May 2019 : Partners’ Fora
•    Partners’ Fora on 1 May will take place at the United Nations Conference Center - ECA (UNCC).
•    Access only for registered participants.

2-3 May 2019: Main event
•    The main event of WPFD (2-3 May) takes place at the African Union Headquarters.
•    Access only for registered participants.

2 May 2019 (evening): UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Prize ceremony and gala dinner
•    The venue of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Prize ceremony is at the Sheraton Addis hotel.
•    Attendance for this event is by invitation only.

Registration Desk

Participants who have registered online and received a confirmation e-mail will be able to pick up their badges for WPFD at the Intercontinental Hotel (5 minute walk from UNCC) on 30 April and 1 May. 

Please note that participants are very strongly encouraged to pick up their badges at the Intercontinental Hotel. Badges can also be picked up at the African Union on 2 and 3 May. 

Valid photo ID's will be required.

 

Visa

Please know that a valid proof of yellow fever vaccination will be requested upon arrival.

 

Visa upon arrival
•         Visas are required for all foreign visitors to Ethiopia, with the exception of nationals of Kenya, Djibouti, and Diplomatic and UN passport holders.
•         Participants who are registered through the online registration form and have submitted a copy of a passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival date, are eligible for a conference visa on arrival.
•         Participants are themselves responsible for paying the conference visa fee on arrival. Please note that participants will be required to pay 30 USD in cash on arrival. The equivalent amount can also be paid in Euro or British Pound.
•         The visa is a 30-day single entrance visa.
•         The 2019 WPFD organizers cannot guarantee assistance with a visa upon arrival for participants who have not registered by 15 April 2019 or who have not submitted all required information.
•         Participants will receive visa grant letters by 26 April. Printed visa grant letters must be shown to the immigration authorities upon arrival.
•         Journalists who attend as participants/delegates (who do not come to cover the event) can apply for conference visa.
 

Online Conference visa
•         Participants who would like to obtain their visa prior to arrival can request a Conference visa online (e-visa) through this link:https://www.evisa.gov.et/#/home
•         E-visa requests are usually processed within 24-72 hours.
•         E-visa fees are 32 USD to be paid by credit card.
•         Participants who would like to request an e-visa can request the needed documents from UNESCO through wpfd[at]unesco.org until 15 April 2019.
 
 
Journalist visa

•    Journalists who wish to cover World Press Freedom Day must obtain a Journalist Visa.
•    The Journalist Visa can be requested through this link: https://www.evisa.gov.et/#/journalist-visa
•     International journalists who wish to request a journalist visa should send an e-mail to wpfd@flawlessevents.net and mediarltn@gmail.com

Accommodation

•    Participants are advised to stay in the hotels suggested below, which are ether situated near the United Nations Conference Centre or AUC, approx. between 5-15 min drive to the conference venues (depending on traffic conditions):
o    Elilly International Hotel (4*hotel)
o    Intercontinental Hotel (4* hotel)
o    Jupiter International Hotel – Cazanchise branch (4* hotel)
o    Aphrodite International Hotel (4* hotel)
o    Eliana Hotel (3* hotel)
o    Churchill Hotel (3*hotel)

Negotiated rates are available at all of the above-mentioned 4* hotels (limited amount of rooms - first come first served basis). Information on how to book at negotiated rates will be provided upon online registration to the event.

 

Flights

WPFD participants receive a 20% discount on Ethiopian Airlines flights inside Africa (CODE: WPF19)  and 12-15% discount internationally (CODE:WPD19). Please know that this code is for registered participants to World Press Freedom Day only.

 

Shuttle services

•    Airport shuttles and shuttles to the conference venues will be provided for guests staying in most of partner hotels. More information will be added shortly.

 

Press accrediation

National media

•    Ethiopian based journalists who wish to cover the event should to send their names in advance to wpfd@unesco.org / o.goodhead@unesco.org.

International media

•    International journalists must obtain a journalist visa (see section on visa).
•    Journalists who bring equipment should send the list to the media accreditation department of Ethiopian Broadcast Authority prior to their arrival for customs clearance through email to wpfd[at]flawlessevents.net and mediarltn[at]gmail.com. For more information, call the department with +251 911 88 20 31 and +251 913 52 52 29.

 

Ethiopian Travel Tours

Ethiopian Travel is offering a number of tours which can be booked by participants of WPFD. Tours include: Addis Ababa City Tour, Ankober, Blue Nile Gorge including Debrelibanos, Debre Zeit Crater Lake, Debrelibanos, Lake Ziway, Menagesha Suba Crown Forest, Tiya Stalae Parl Adadi Mariam, Wonchi Crater Lake.

Payment of these tours is at the charge of participants. Requests and bookings: AssefaBa@ethiopianairlines.com 

 

General Information

Climate
Please be aware of the geographical location of Addis Ababa, which is at an altitude of about 7,631 feet (2326) m. Acclimatization to this elevation is normally not a problem, but sometimes it might take a few days. Symptoms may include headache, increased breathing (hyperventilation), fatigue, nausea, dizziness and sleep disturbance. For prevention you may drink extra water (as increased breathing leads to water loss), and avoid additional salt. Daily temperatures average around 75°F/24°C, and rarely fall below 68°F/20°C or exceed 80°F/27°C.

Currency
Ethiopian currency is denominated in “Birr” and “cents”. Notes are 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 birr. The 1 birr is in coins. ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) are found in Major Addis Ababa hotels, shopping malls, at the Bole International Airport, AUC and ECA compounds. Commercial bank branches are also available in Bole International Airport, ECA and AUC compounds.

Banking Hours
Banking hours are usually 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday and 8am – 4pm Saturdays. Most banks work through lunchtime, however, foreign exchange services are closed during lunch hours (noon-1pm).
The United Nations official exchange rate at 31 March 2019 was $ US1.00 = Birr 28.62

Electricity
In Ethiopia, the power plugs and sockets are of type C, E, F and L. Electric supply is 220-240 volts, 50 cycles AC accessible via 13-amp, two-pin socket.

Communications
Telephone, fax machines and Internet access are available in most hotels in Addis Ababa and in the conference centers. Private Internet service centers are also available around the city.

Mobile Phone Services
Participants can buy a SIM card for Ethiopia at local shops for a nominal fee.

Insurance and Health

Please know that a valid proof of yellow fever vaccination will be requested upon arrival.

It is recommended that participants take out insurance in their home country to cover pre-journey cancellation for personal reasons as well as necessary travel insurance to cover accidents, medical expenses, and loss of personal belongings for the duration of their visit.
Before visiting Ethiopia, being vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, DTP, meningitis, and rabies are strongly recommended.
There is a risk of contracting malaria in Ethiopia. Measures to prevent mosquito bites are advised and include the following: wearing long-sleeved clothing, using mosquito repellent, and sleeping with a mosquito net or with the air conditioning running. The use of antimalarial medication is recommended as well.

Personal Security and Safety of Participants
Personal security is an individual’s responsibility.

Force Majeure
WPFD 2019 organizers are not liable for any claims for damages and/or losses if the entire conference has to be cancelled due to a force majeure incident.

Disclaimer
WPFD 2019 organizers are not liable for damages and/or losses of any kind which may be incurred by the participants or by any other individual(s) accompanying them, both during the conference as well as going to/from the conference. Participants and delegates are responsible for their own safety and belongings.

 

 

Contacts

For practical information regarding participation, please contact: wpfd@unesco.org

If you are a session organiser or an official partner, please contact:
1.    Ms. Saorla McCabe (s.mccabe@unesco.org ), UNESCO Headquarters
2.    Ms. Lydia Gachungi ( l.gachungi@unesco.org), UNESCO Liaison Office, Addis Ababa