AIDE MEMOIRE FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE DELEGATES

1. VENUE AND DATES

August 2 - 6, 2005 at the Jamaica Conference Centre, Kingston.

Actual conference dates August 3,4,5

Please note that August 1, Emancipation Day and August 6, Independence Day are public holidays in Jamaica.

2. ACCOMPANYING PERSONS’ PROGRAMME (NON-DELEGATES)

There will be a separate programme for accompanying persons wishing to participate. Details of the programme will be made available prior to the meeting.

3. BUSINESS AND SHOPPING HOURS

Businesses are generally open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Shops are open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

4. CLIMATE

Jamaica is a very mountainous country and the climate ranges from tropical and humid at sea-level to temperate in the mountains. Mean temperatures in Kingston range from 78 degrees Fahrenheit/24 degrees Celsius to 97 degrees Fahrenheit/35 degrees Celsius. Typically the months of May, October and November are rainy months.

5. CONFERENCE LANGUAGES

The language of the conference will be English.

6. CURRENCY AND BANKING

The official currency is the Jamaica dollar (J$), though the United States Dollar is freely accepted. The rate of exchange is approximately J$62.00 to US$1.00 and J$117.00 to the pound sterling and J$79.00 to the Euro dollar. Exchange rates are subject to fluctuation.

There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that may be brought into or taken out of Jamaica by visitors. However amounts exceeding US$10,000.00 (or its equivalent in any other foreign currency) or J$620,000.00 must be declared to Jamaican customs.

Internationally recognized travelers’ cheques and major credit cards are accepted in all hotels and most stores. All Jamaican commercial banks have wide international affiliations. Most commercial banks have Automated Banking Systems (ABM’s) that take Cirrus and Star cards. (Please note that they only dispense Jamaican dollars).

Commercial banks have new operating hours. Some operate from 8.15 am to 4:00 pm, others from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm and still others from 8.30 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Fridays. Your hotel/residence will advise of the banks nearest to you and their opening/closing times.

7. DEPARTURE TAX

For those persons not holding a Diplomatic passport, a charge of One Thousand Jamaican dollars (J$1,000.00) or the equivalent in United States dollars is payable at the airport upon departure.

8. DRESS

Dress is generally “business casual” unless otherwise indicated. A Lounge suit is suitable for some receptions and dinners.

9. DRIVING LICENCES

Visitors are able to drive for one (1) month in Jamaica on a valid national driving licence. Please note that driving is on the left.

10. ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

Voltage in Jamaica is 110-120 volts 50 cycle. Some hotels will have 220 volts 50 cycle.

11. HEALTH REQUIREMENTS (AWAITING LATEST UPDATE)

  1. A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for participants coming from the following areas:

    1. Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria, Peru, Senegal and Venezuela.

  2. Persons arriving from Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe are advised that:

    1. They will be issued a “Health Alert” card on arrival which outlines the measures to be taken in the event of suspected illness with malaria while in Jamaica; and

    2. If they develop a fever and/or any symptoms of malaria, they will be required to report immediately to the Ministry of Health or the Doctor on call at the hotel/residence.

  3. Importation of plants, fresh fruits, meats and vegetables need an official phytosanitary certificate. Inquiries must first be made through the Organising Secretariat stating the type and quantities of each item to be imported.

  4. Live animals are not allowed entry into Jamaica.

Medical assistance is available through the reception desk at the hotel.

12. IDENTIFICATION

All participants will be issued with special identification badges. All other conference secretariat staff and non-participant and administrative staff will be issued with special identification cards allowing access to the Meeting site and hotel. Media representatives will be issued with press cards that will be used as identification cards.

All delegates are requested to cooperate by displaying their badges at all times, including off-site activities.

13. INSURANCE

The organizers will not accept any liability for personal injuries, nor for loss of or damage to personal belongings. Please check the validity of your personal insurance. You should also carry your own health insurance as medical attention can be expensive.

14. LANGUAGE

The official language of Jamaica is English, but the Jamaican “patois” – a combination of several languages – is spoken throughout the island.

15. LETTER OF INVITATION

Upon request, the Conference Secretariat office will send a personal invitation to participate in the Meeting. This invitation is meant to help the participants raise funds or obtain a visa, and does not represent a commitment on the part of the organisers to provide any financial support.

16. MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS (To be discussed)

A Media Centre including facilities for print and electronic media will be located at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. All press releases and statements for circulation to the media will be handled by the Press Secretariat.

Full accreditation will be set up at the Media Centre prior to the meeting (Date to be advised). Only registered media representatives will be allowed to cover functions.

Media representatives will be required to make their own hotel arrangements directly with the hotels. The room rates for all recommended hotels will be included with the Media Accreditation forms.

17. OPENING CEREMONY

The opening reception will take place at the Jamaica Conference Centre, on Wednesday, August 3, 2005, at 9:00 a.m. and will be open to all delegates, their accompanying guests and other specially invited guests

18. PRE/POST MEETING TOURS

Information regarding off-site tours, golf etc., will be available from the Conference Secretariat. A list of tours – pre Conference, during the Conference and post Conference - will be posted on the website and further distributed before the Conference. All participants and their guests will be able to sign up for the tours they require, once they have registered at the Conference site.

19. RECEPTION AT THE AIRPORT ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

  1. A local liaison officer will meet all officials, delegates and specially invited persons on their arrival at the Norman Manley airport in Kingston.

  2. In order to facilitate arrivals, participants are requested to advise their travel arrangements to the Organizing Secretariat no later than - (to be advised). Any subsequent changes in travel arrangements should be notified to the Organizing Secretariat

  3. Baggage identification tags will be sent in advance to all delegates. To facilitate identification and clearance, all delegates are requested to prominently display these identification tags on their baggage.

  4. Departure arrangements will be the same as that which applied on arrival, provided final travel plans are notified to the Liaison Desk before the end of the meeting. A special reconfirmation desk will be provided for the convenience of participants.

20. TELEPHONE CALLS

Local phone cards are available at your hotel.

21. TIME

Jamaica is on Eastern Standard Time - GMT minus 5.

22. TRANSPORTATION

  1. A shuttle bus service will be provided for delegates to and from hotels to the Conference sites and for those attending special events

  2. Special buses will be provided to transport persons participating in the Accompanying Person’s programme.

  3. Participants requiring additional transportation should notify the Secretariat.

23. TRAVELLING TO JAMAICA

There are direct flight connections daily to Jamaica from the United States, all major European cities, and intercontinental flights through American Airlines, British Airways and the island’s national airline – Air Jamaica. Air Jamaica has been designated the official carrier for the conference and has offered special fares from their gateways in the U.K. and in North America. Specific fares are listed on the website. All flights should terminate at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica.

24. VISAS

Members from Commonwealth countries do not usually need visas, with the exception of Nigeria, India and Sri Lanka. Participants from India will need to submit their passport information, address and dates of travel and Jamaica will send the required authority to British Airways to accept them on the flight.

Participants from Colombia and Honduras may apply to the Hon. Jamaican Consulate in Bogota and Tegucigalpa respectively.

Participants who are unsure of their countries’ visa requirements with Jamaica should contact the Secretariat for specific information.

Last updated
15 Jun 2005

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