Untitled

GE.15-11696 (E)



Conference of the Parties

Twelfth session

Ankara, Turkey, 12–23 October 2015

Information for participants

The twelfth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 12) to the United Nations

Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will be held from 12 to 23 October 2015

in Ankara, Republic of Turkey. This document contains general information for

participants. Additional information will be provided in due course on the UNCCD website

<www.unccd.int> and the COP 12 website of the host country <www.unccdcop12.gov.tr>.

1. Secretariat

The secretariat of the UNCCD is headed by the Executive Secretary, Ms. Monique

Barbut, and based in Bonn, Germany, at:

Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

Langer Eugen

Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1

53113 Bonn, Germany

Tel.: + 49 228 815 2800

Fax: + 49 228 815 2898/99

E-mail: secretariat@unccd.int

2. Host country authorities

The Government of Turkey has established a national preparatory committee in

charge of preparations for COP 12.

For the most up-to-date information, participants are encouraged to visit the host

country COP 12 website <www.unccdcop12.gov.tr>.

United Nations

ICCD/COP(12)/INF.1

Convention to Combat

Desertification

Distr.: General

10 July 2015

Original: English

ICCD/COP(12)/INF.1

For any additional information, participants may contact:

Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs

Beştepe Mahallesi Alparslan Türkeş Caddesi No: 71

Yenimahalle /Ankara, PK: 06510

Republic of Turkey

Tel.: + 90 312 2075704

Fax: + 90 312 2075756

E-mail: unccdcop1[email protected]

3. Venue of the session

COP 12 will be held at the Congresium Ankara-ATO International Convention &

Exhibition Centre, in Ankara, at the following address:

Söğütözü Caddesi No: 1/A

06510 Çankaya

Ankara

Republic of Turkey

Tel.: + 90 312 285 0 385

Fax: + 90 312 285 0 057

Website: <www.congresium.com>

The session will open on Monday, 12 October 2015. Working hours will normally

be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Meeting rooms will be made available

for informal meetings without interpretation services, subject to arrangements being made

with the secretariat.

4. Registration

Pre-registration for national delegations, United Nations specialized agencies and

programmes, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and the media will

take place at the registration and accreditation centre at the Congresium Ankara-ATO

International Convention & Exhibition Centre at the following times:

 Friday, 9 October from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

 Saturday, 10 October from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

 Sunday, 11 October from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Registration will start on Monday, 12 October at 8 a.m. and continue throughout the

session on working days from 8 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and from 2.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Any

changes to the opening hours of the registration desk will be communicated in the Official

Journal of the session. Identity badges will be issued at the time of registration, and

participants are requested to wear them at all times, as they will not be allowed access to

the session venue without presenting them.

It is of the utmost importance that the credentials of each member of delegations

attending COP 12 be accompanied with a passport-size photograph (see chapter 5 below for

further information). This will ensure a speedy pre-registration procedure, which will

greatly reduce waiting time for delegates at the session venue.

ICCD/COP(12)/INF.1

5. Credentials

The credentials of representatives of Parties and the names of alternate

representatives and advisers must be issued either by the Head of State or Government or

by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. To ensure full participation in the work of the

conference, it is recommended that representatives of Parties be provided with full powers

to participate in the session and, if necessary, to serve as officers of the COP and its

subsidiary bodies, as well as of any committees or working groups of the session.

Credentials must be submitted to the UNCCD secretariat. The Bureau of COP 12

will examine the credentials and report to the session.

Observer States and

intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations must also be accredited.

It is strongly recommended that participants fax a copy of their credentials in

advance to the secretariat to facilitate their registration during the conference:

Fax: + 49 228 815 2898/99

6. Information for the media

Online registration for representatives from the media will be available from 1 July

to 30 September 2015. After that, registration will be carried out at the accreditation and

registration centre located at the Congresium Ankara-ATO International Convention &

Exhibition Centre during pre-registration and registration hours, upon presentation of a

valid press card. Applicants for media accreditation need to provide the following

documentation:

 A letter of introduction from their bureau chief

 A copy of their passport (for foreign applicants) or a national identification

card (for local applicants)

 One recent passport-size colour photograph

 A valid press card

 Duly filled accreditation form

The application form will be made available for download from the media section of

the host country COP 12 website <www.unccdcop12.com> or from the UNCCD media

webpage <http://www.unccd.int/en/media-center/Pages/mediahome.aspx>.

Applicants should send the above-mentioned documentation via e-mail or fax to the

UNCCD secretariat:

E-mail: [email protected]

Fax: + 49 228 815 2898/99

For information concerning accreditation, please contact:

Ms. Wagaki Wischnewski

Tel.: + 49 228 815 2820

Fax: + 49 228 815 2898/99

E-mail: wwischne[email protected]

All the conditions mentioned above apply to both local and foreign applicants.

Applicants are advised to apply for accreditation ahead of the conference to be able to cover

See document ICCD/COP(12)/19, to be issued in-session.

ICCD/COP(12)/INF.1

the opening sessions. On-site registration will be available for limited hours each day for

the duration of the conference.

A dedicated press and media working space will be available at the conference

venue.

Additional information on the Convention and COP 12 is available at

<http://www.unccd.int/en/about-the-convention/Pages/About-the-Convention.aspx>.

7. How to reach the session venue

Flights

Esenboga International Airport is the main international airport serving Ankara, the

capital city of Turkey. The distance from the airport to Ankara city centre is approximately

28 km.

Approximately 20 international airlines operate from Esenboga International

Airport, which is the first airport in Turkey where domestic and international terminals are

designed to be in the same area.

Turkish Airlines currently fly directly from Ankara to Moscow and Dusseldorf.

From 1 October 2015, the airline will offer direct flights from Ankara to Frankfurt, Vienna,

Baku, Brussels, London, Tehran and Amsterdam.

A UNCCD COP 12 information counter will be set up in the arrivals hall of the

airport for conference participants. Participants will be presented with a welcome pack that

includes maps of the city as well as information brochures on the transport network and

facilities. A transport service organized by the host country will be provided on a

commercial basis. Up-to-date airport shuttle and transfer information will be made

available on the host country COP 12 website <www.unccdcop12.gov.tr>.

Airport buses are operated by Belko Air. Bus number 442 stops at multiple

locations, including Aşti (from where intercity buses depart), Kızılay (the city centre) and

Ulus (the historical centre of the city, close to the museums and baths). The price is 8

Turkish lira (TL). The bus service runs in a loop and buses depart frequently (roughly every

20 minutes). It is possible to take this bus from any of its stops back to the airport. Tickets

can be bought on the bus after boarding.

A taxi drive from the airport to the city centre should cost around TL 60 to 80,

depending on your destination.

How to reach the Congresium Ankara-ATO International Convention & Exhibition

Centre

Congresium Ankara-ATO International Convention & Exhibition Centre is located

approximately 34 km from Esenboga International Airport. Its exact location is indicated on

the host country COP 12 website <www.unccdcop12.gov.tr>.

Local transportation in Ankara

Ankara is well connected by a good public transport network system.

The Ankara municipal bus service consists of an extensive and dense bus network,

and is owned and operated by the Ankara Municipality.

Ankara Metro is a transport system which runs between the outer suburbs and the

interstate bus terminal ASTI. It consists of three metro lines also owned and operated by the

Ankara Municipality.

ICCD/COP(12)/INF.1

The payment system for municipal buses is based on multi-use magnetic cards

which are also used for the metro. They are available as 2-unit cards costing TL 3.50, 3-unit

cards costing TL 5.25, 5-unit cards costing TL 8.75, 10-unit cards costing TL 17.50 and 20-

unit cards costing TL 35.00. Transfer between the bus lines and metro lines with the

magnetic cards is possible within a period of 45 minutes for a cost of TL 0.59. The

magnetic cards cannot be purchased on board buses; they have to be purchased beforehand

at kiosks and metro stations.

Dolmuş are privately run minibuses. Passengers can get in and out anywhere on

their route, and they can be hailed on the street in the same way as taxis. The prices range

depending on departure point and destination, but are typically not more than TL 2 to 3.

Taxis are readily available and are probably the best way to get to your destination.

They are relatively inexpensive. The fare shown on the meter reads according to distance

travelled. The ride will start at TL 2.20 and the rate is TL 1.90 per kilometre. The rates for

day and night are the same.

8. Accommodation

Participants are responsible for making their own accommodation arrangements, and

are encouraged to finalize their booking and payment as early as possible.

A list of hotels for participants to book directly is provided on the website of the

host country <www.unccdcop12.gov.tr> and on the UNCCD website at:

<www.unccd.int/Lists/SiteDocumentLibrary/COP/COP12/AnkaraHotels.pdf>.

9. Services available for participants at the session venue

Information on medical services and emergency numbers, postal, telephone, fax,

photocopying and Internet services, cafeterias, bars, banking services, travel agency and

any other additional services available for participants will be published in the Official

Journal of the session.

10. Immigration formalities and customs regulations

Visa regulations

A visa may be required for entry into the Republic of Turkey. Participants concerned

are strongly advised to seek information on visa requirements applicable to their case from

Turkish diplomatic or consular missions in their home countries.

Where a visa is required, applicants are strongly advised to apply as early as

possible. To obtain a visa, applicants must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months, fill

out a visa application form,

provide a passport size photo and present a copy of

confirmation of accreditation. A United Nations letter of invitation to COP 12 and/or a

document issued by a relevant home country authority that proves official participation may

facilitate obtaining a visa.

A list of the Turkish diplomatic and consular missions is available at <www.mfa.gov.tr/turkish-

representations.en.mfa>.

Visa application form can be downloaded at

<www.mfa.gov.tr/data/KONSOLOSLUK/visaform.doc>.

ICCD/COP(12)/INF.1

Special visa-on-arrival arrangements will be made for the accredited participants

from countries where no Turkish diplomatic or consular mission exists. Those participants

can obtain their visas at border gates provided that they hold a passport valid for at least 6

months and a copy of confirmation of accreditation. A United Nations letter of invitation to

COP 12 and/or a document issued by a relevant home country authority that proves official

participation may facilitate obtaining a visa at border gates.

The Turkish authorities will do their utmost to facilitate entry procedures for all

participants.

It should be noted, however, that a visa does not automatically confer the right to

enter Turkey. In conformity with international law, permission to enter Turkish territory is

granted at the discretion of Turkish authorities and may be denied.

For detailed information on immigration regulations please visit the Turkish

Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at <www.mfa.gov.tr>.

Health regulations

There are no specific health requirements and no vaccinations are needed to enter

Turkey.

Customs regulations

Information on the customs regulations in force in Turkey can be obtained from any

Turkish embassy or consulate or at the website <www.gtb.gov.tr/>.

Any delegate who fails to comply with the customs requirements regarding entry

into Turkey may be prevented from entering the country by the local authorities.

11. Intervention at official meetings

United Nations General Assembly resolution 69/250 on the pattern of conferences

requests the Secretary-General to, inter alia, redouble his efforts to ensure the highest

quality of interpretation services.

In the interest of ensuring that meetings run smoothly, participants are reminded of

the need to maintain a normal speed whenever delivering speeches or making statements,

so that the provision of the required high-quality simultaneous interpretation services can

be achieved to the entire satisfaction of all participants.

12. Side events

Participants who wish to organize side events during the conference are requested to

apply to the secretariat using the following telephone, fax and/or e-mail contacts:

Tel.: + 49 228 815 2800

Fax: + 49 228 815 2898/99

E-mail: sideevents@unccd.int

The application form can be downloaded from the UNCCD website at

<www.unccd.int> and should be submitted before 31 August 2015.

Participants are advised that the secretariat is responsible only for room allocation.

Time slots and rooms will be accommodated according to availability on a first-come, first-

served basis.

ICCD/COP(12)/INF.1

Should a side event require interpretation services, simultaneous interpretation from

English/French/Spanish and vice versa can be made available on a commercial basis

through:

Mr. Fırat Tekbaş

Tel.: + 90 533 966 60 25

E-mail: [email protected]m.tr

A list of available services from local providers will be made available on the host

country COP 12 website <www.unccdcop12.gov.tr>

Catering:

Mr. Kemal Sumer

Tel.: + 90 533 966 60 64

E-mail: [email protected]m.tr

Participants are reminded that no side events may be organized during the COP 12

official working hours (see chapter 3 above) and the special segment of the conference (20–

21 October).

A calendar of side and parallel events during COP 12 will be published in the

Official Journal of the session and will also be available on the host country COP 12

website <www.unccdcop12.gov.tr>. For any additional information on side events, please

refer to the guidelines posted on the UNCCD website.

13. Business Forum on Sustainable Land Management

The Business Forum on Sustainable Land Management will take place at the

conference venue from 20 to 21 October alongside COP 12. The forum will bring together

Chief Executive Officers and other business leaders, politicians, policymakers, government

representatives, opinion leaders, experts and other stakeholders from across the globe to

exchange views on the aspects related to combating climate change, land degradation

neutrality and landscapes at risk.

The forum is co-organized by the host country, the Union of Chambers and

Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, the World Business Council for Sustainable

Development and the UNCCD secretariat. Private-sector representatives will discuss how

to apply and how to scale up towards land degradation neutrality. For more information,

please contact:

Ms. SenemYAVAŞ

European Union Department

Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Tel.: + 90 312 218 22 28

Fax: + 90 312 218 23 84

E-mail: Senem.Yavas@tobb.org.tr

Ms.Violaine Berger

Director, Ecosystems & Agriculture

World Business Council for Sustainable Development

Tel.: + 41 0 22 839 3121

Fax: + 41 22 839 3131

E-mail: berger@wbcsd.org

ICCD/COP(12)/INF.1

Mr. Marcos Montoiro

NGO and Civil Society Liaison Officer

UNCCD secretariat

Tel.: + 49 228 815 2806

Fax: + 49 228 815 2899

E-mail: mmontoiro@unccd.int

14. Exhibition facilities

Limited space for exhibition facilities will be available to participants. Arrangements

can be made through the secretariat depending on availability and on a first-come, first-

served basis.

Participants wishing to set up exhibits are invited to contact Ms. Katya Arapnakova

at:

Tel.: + 49 228 815 2864

Fax: + 49 228 815 2898/99

E-mail: exhibition@unccd.int

The secretariat is responsible only for the allocation of exhibition space. Applicants

will be allotted a maximum of 9 m

of exhibition space, which will be assigned with due

consideration of the relevance to the objectives of the Convention and equitable

geographical distribution requirements. The deadline for the submission of requests to the

secretariat is 31 August 2015.

Exhibitors will be responsible for the customs clearance of their exhibition material

in accordance with the customs regulations of the Republic of Turkey. The secretariat may,

however, provide assistance. Exhibitors will be responsible for their own stands. Set-up of

exhibition structures must be done in consultation with the national preparatory committee.

For all further information about additional equipment for exhibitors, including

infrastructure and technology, as well as transport, shipment and storage, please

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Mr. Ozgur Adiguzel

Tel.: +90 312 4461613

Mobile phone: +90 532 3749241

Fax: +90 312 4461641

Address: Ugurmumcu Cad 15/5 G.P.O. Cankaya / Ankara – TURKEY

E-mail: ozgur@echoorganizasyon.com

15. General information about the session venue

Information about Ankara

Ankara is the capital city of Turkey and the second largest city in the country after

Istanbul. It is located at the heart of both Turkey and Central Anatolia. The population is

around 4.5 million.

Information about hotels, restaurants, museums, sightseeing, transport and much

more can be obtained on the website of the city at

<http://www.arrivalguides.com/en/Travelguides/Europe/Turkey/Ankara>.

Currency

The national currency is the Turkish lira (TL or TRY).

ICCD/COP(12)/INF.1

USD 1 = approximately TL 2.70

EUR 1 = approximately TL 3.03

Weather

Ankara has a continental climate with dry warm summers. The month of October is

characterized by rapidly falling daily high temperatures, with daily highs decreasing from

22°C to 15°C over the course of the month, exceeding 28°C or dropping below 8°C only

one day in ten.

Electricity

The electricity supply in Ankara is 220 V at 50 Hz for mono phase. Plugs with two

round pins are in use. An adaptor to connect appliances and/or a transformer may be

needed.

Local time

The standard time is GMT + 2 hours.

Business hours

Banks:

Weekdays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturdays: closed

Sundays and national holidays: closed

Government offices and organizations:

Weekdays: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Weekends and national holidays: closed

Post offices:

Weekdays: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturdays: closed

Sundays and national holidays: closed

Department stores:

Weekdays: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. (varies between stores)

Travel information

Further information on travel and tourism is available on the official tourism portal

of Turkey <http://goturkey.com/>.

Further information on the conference is available on the UNCCD home

page<www.unccd.int>.