INFORMATION NOTE FOR MEDIA ORGANISATIONS
Launch of 2009 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction
Manama, Bahrain
17-18 May 2009
1. Launch Venue and Date
The 2009 GAR launch will take place at the Ritz - Carlton Hotel in Manama, Bahrain on the 17th-18th May 2009.
Media are welcome to the Launch ceremony from 08.00 am on the 17 May and are invited to attend the press conference at 1 pm. (TBC)
A media advisory will be sent later on with more detailed information about the agenda and venue of the press conference.
2. Registration/ accreditation
Media participants are requested to send their accreditation form toUNIC Bahrain:
Ms. Lorelie Aumann, Admin. Assistant (UNIC, Bahrain)
,
Tel +973 17 311676/319 444 or 973 39146846 (mob); Fax +973 17 311692
No later than 14 May 2009
For media request please send your mail to:
In Barhain
Brigitte Leoni (UNISDR Geneva) at . Tel: +4122 917 88 97 or +41 79444 5262
or Nejib Friji (UNIC Bahrain) at . Tel +973 17 311 676/319 441 or +973 39 772 197 (mob)
In Geneva to Charles Evans
At Tel: 41 22 917 88 85
Media representatives are asked to report to the registration desk at the meeting venue between 08:00 and 09:20 on 17th May 2009 for the opening ceremony or 30 minutes before the press conference at 01pm
3. Working language
The meeting will be conducted in English. Arabic interpretation will be provided during the
opening ceremony.
4. Media products
A press pack will be available upon request from 12 May 2009 and under embargo till 17 May
A Broll, Video news release will be available for TV broadcasters a week before the eventin Arabic, French, Spanish and English
5. Visa and Entry requirements
Most travelers to Bahrain require an entry visa. To check your eligibility to receive a visa on arrival at BahrainInternationalAirport, please visit the following website http://www.evisa.gov.bh.
6. Exchange Rate
The local currency is Bahraini Dinars (BD), the rate of exchange is: 1 USD = 0.375 BD All major international credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, banks, and stores.
7. Accommodation
Following is a list of recommended hotels. Please make your bookings directly with the preferred hotel (Please mention that you are participating in the 2009 GAR/DRR Launch as these are the corporate rates).
Ritz-Carlton Hotel *****BD 150 net no breakfast and BD164 net inclusive breakfast
The launch will take place at this hotel. It is located on the beach and is a 10 minute walk from the shopping malls.
Email:
Crowne Plaza ***** BD 103 net no breakfast and BD 114 net inclusive breakfast
Email:
Novotel Hotel **** BD 79 net inclusive breakfast
This hotel is located on the beach and is about 15 minutes walk from shops, restaurants.
Email:
Elite Suites Hotel Seef **** BD 51 net inclusive. breakfast
This hotel is located in the Seef area, which is near all the main shopping malls.
Email:
Ramee Palace Hotel**** BD 35 net inclusive breakfast and transport from airport
This hotel is located in Juffair.
Email: Fax: +973 17 310 687
Metropolitan Hotel (Ramee Group) *** BD 25 net inclusive breakfast
This hotel is located in Hoora, a 10 minute walk from small shops and restaurants.
Email: Fax: +973 17 310 687
7. Climate
Climate information for the month of May in Bahrain:
Mean Maximum Temperature 34.1°C
Mean Maximum Temperature 26 °C
Mean Relative Humidity 55%
Rainfall 0.9 mm
Prevailing Mean Wind Speed & Direction 9.5 knots/Northwesterly
8. Travel from/to Airport
Some hotels provide transportation services from/to BahrainInternationalAirport at a
reasonable cost. Arrangement for this service should be made at the time of hotel
booking. Metered Taxis are available at the airport at all times for a reasonable fare.
For further information, please contact the Local Organizing Committee which will be available to assist you during working days from Sunday to Thursday during working hours between
07:30 and 15:30 Bahrain local time (UT + 3 hours) as follows: Ms. Afnan Saeed : E-mail Office Tel. +973 17 319 414 Mobile: +973 3945 6031
For more information on the GAR launch, go to Friji
Director UN Information Centre (UNIC)
Bahrain, Qatar & UAE, Email: , Tel (+973) 1 7311676, Fax: (+973) 17311692
P.O.Box 26004 UN House, Manama,Bahrain