|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Place and Dates of the GFAR
2000 and CGIAR Mid-Term Meeting 2000 Administrative Arrangements The administrative arrangements for attendance at the GFAR 2000 and the CGIAR MTM 2000 are being handled jointly by the GFAR and the CGIAR Secretariat and the host country's secretariat. The GTZ Advisory Service for Development-Oriented Agricultural Research (BEAF) is functioning as the host-country's secretariat at Bonn in cooperation with the Food and Agricultural Development Center of the German Foundation for International Development DSE/ZEL at Feldafingen. Registration Procedure Participation will be on invitation only, the list of participants being established by the CGIAR and GFAR secretariat respectively. For further information, please direct yourself to the host country's secretariat at the following address: BEAF
Simultaneous Interpretation Simultaneous interpretation of the business sessions will be provided in English, French and Spanish. Hotel Accommodation Rooms have been block-booked for participants at the Westin Bellevue Hotel (4 star), which is also the meeting site. Additionally there are rooms block-booked at the Europa Comfort Hotel (3 star), which is located near the meeting site (ten minutes by foot). Communication details are: Westin Bellevue Hotel Dresden Europa Comforthotel Dresden Room Rates: Westin Bellevue Hotel (incl.
buffet breakfast) Europa Comforthotel (incl. buffet
breakfast) The special rates only apply to reservations made through the GFAR2000/MTM2000 hotel reservation process described below. Hotel Reservation To ensure a room reservation and facilitate the compilation of the Participants' List, preparation of badges and preparation of official invitations, it is most important that participants return their completed forms by April 14 to BEAF
Meeting Secretariat The host country's meeting secretariat will process reservations and accommodations will be assigned on a guaranteed arrival basis for the exact dates requested only. If the room is not occupied as confirmed, a hotel charge will be incurred against such reservation. Requests for changes and cancellations must be made in written and sent to the CG Secretariat no later than 48 hours prior the confirmed date of arrival. Note: It is particularly important that you include a departure date to reflect whether you plan to stay until Saturday, May 27 in Dresden, whether you will be leaving on one of the Post-MTM trips, or whether you will be departing on Friday, May 27. Hotel Bills Participants are responsible for their own accommodation and subsistence costs. Most major credit cards are accepted. GFAR and MTM Registration Participants will be able to register and collect documents relating to the meeting and invitations for social functions in the Westin Bellevue Hotel on the dates and times listed below. The precise location of the registration desk will be indicated in the lobby. Saturday, May 20 ___________________________________________ Other Information Airport Arrivals & Transfer to Hotel Dresden International Airport
is served by major airlines although most international flights
require connections in Frankfurt, Berlin or Munich. Taxis from
airport to downtown hotels are plentiful. The ride takes approximately
20 minutes and costs around DM 27 Note: Since there are only a limited number of flights going to Dresden, participants should book their flights well in advance. Train Station Arrivals & Transfer to Hotel Participants arriving at Dresden
by train, should get off the train at Dresden-Neustadt. Taxis
to the meeting site, the Westin Bellevue Hotel take approximately
5-10 minutes and cost DM 13 ( Participants arriving at Dresden
central station "Hauptbahnhof", can either take a taxi,
or the "Airport City Liner" bus to reach the meeting
site, the "Westin Bellevue Hotel". The transfer via
taxi lasts approximately 10-15 minutes and costs approximately
There is no departure tax levied on passengers on either domestic or on international flights. Exhibition Material In order to avoid any Customs complications, all exhibition material for the GFAR or MTM meetings should be sent directly to the Westin Bellevue Hotel by international parcel or courier service. Passports and Visas All visitors are expected to have passports valid for at least 3 months beyond length of stay. Visa requirements vary and are dependent on the nationality of the visitor. It is essential that visitors arrive with the correct documentation. Visitors are advised to enquire at the consulate or the consular section of the German Embassies for information referring to visa requirements. For those participating in Post-MTM Trips, the visa should be valid through Tuesday, May 29, 2000. More information is available in the internet under http://www.mytravelguide.com/countries/germany/visasandpassports.asp Note: If you are not flying directly to Germany,
but have to stop in another European country, please reassure
yourself that your country doesn't require a special transit
visa within Europe! According to the Schengen Agreement there are specific regulations for each
nationality. Participants might need such a transit visa, even
if transiting with the same aircraft! Please check with the Embassy
or consular section at the respective Embassy! There are no vaccination requirements
for entry to Germany. The unit of currency in Germany
is the Deutschmark (DM) = 100 Pfennigs. At 1/1/2000, US1$ was
equivalent to DM 1,92 and to Currency exchange Most banks have a foreign exchange counter although since not all foreign currencies can be exchanged, participants are recommended to carry US$ or DM travelers' cheques. Travelers' cheques are generally converted on a better rate of exchange than cash. Deutschmark travelers' cheques do not incur exchange commissions. Eurocheques are accepted up to a value of DM 400. The Volksbank at the airport
operates from A foreign exchange service is also available at the Westin Bellevue Hotel as well as at the Europa Comforthotel. Numerous 24-hour automatic teller machines (cash points) are located in Dresden, one being directly opposite the Westin Bellevue Hotel. A foreign exchange service is
also available at the Westin Bellevue Hotel. Numerous automatic
teller machines (cash points) are located in Dresden. Banks: Public Telephones Public callboxes are located
on every street corner in Germany. A telephone card (purchased
from post offices for DM 12-50 / Value Added Tax Goods and services in Germany are subject to a Value Added Tax (VAT). The current rate is 16% and is included in the purchase price. Reimbursement of the VAT on items purchased for export can be claimed at customs prior to departure from Germany upon submission of the appropriate form. Tipping Although a service charge is
included in the bill in hotels and restaurants, it is common
to include a 5-10% tip. Tipping taxi drivers is not mandatory,
but rounding off the fare is a good rule of thumb. Electricity is 220 volts, 50 cycles AC. The electrical outlets in the Westin Bellevue Hotel and the European Comforthotel are designed to take most shapes and sizes of plugs. However, it is recommended that travelers bring their own adapters from overseas if their plugs differ from European standards. Importation of Computer/Electrical Equipment Portable computers and other elecetrical equipment intended for personal use may be brought into the country on condition they are re-exported. Language German is the national language. English-speaking staff is available in most hotels and many restaurants and shops. Climate Germany's climate is very changeable.
The climate in May starts to become agreeably mild for getting
out and about. Average temperatures are around 16° C (62°
F) in the lowlands to around 19° C (64° F) in the sheltered
valleys of the south. In contrast to many other countries Germany
does not have one particularly rainy month. Rainfall can be expected
during all seasons. Spring is the time to enjoy romantic Germany.
The trees unfold their leaves and start to bloom, especially
at Pillnitz Botanical gardens where the fragrance emanating from
the old lilacs fills the air. For more information please check: Time Germany is one hour ahead of Universal Coordinated Time/Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). During daylight saving time from March 26 to October 29 clocks are set two hours ahead of GMT (Standard Time / Universal Time). Travel desk There will be a travel desk operating in the lobby of the Westin Bellevue Hotel to assist participants with confirmation of airline tickets and other travel bookings. Program For Accompanying Partners A program for accompanying partners will be organized according to individual wishes by the travel desk in the lobby of the Westin Bellevue Hotel. Tickets If you are interested in any cultural events i.e. a visit to a concert at the famous Semperopera in Dresden or if you want to extend your stay in Germany and visit the Expo2000 taking place from June 1 to October 31 in Hannover, here are some links which might help you to plan your visit. Tickets can be ordered via the Internet.
Hotel Facilities Westin Bellevue Hotel Dresden Room Fixtures - Dining Rooms and Coffee
Shop - Pool, sauna & fitness
facilities - Other facilities - Europa Comforthotel Dresden Room Fixtures - Dining Rooms and Coffee
Shop - Other facilities - |
91) / DM 218 (