IFCC-X AT A GLANCE

The Intergovernmental Follow-up and Coordination Committee (IFCC) on Economic Cooperation among Developing Countries (ECDC) was established by the Group of 77 as a follow-up review mechanism of South-South cooperation within the framework of the Caracas Progrmme of Action (CPA) on Economic Cooperation among Developing Countries adopted by the High-level Conference on Economic Cooperation among Developing Countries held in Caracas, Venezuela from 13 to 19 May 1981. The membership of the IFCC is made up of all 133 countries members of the Group of 77.

Representatives to the IFCC comprise senior officials in-charge of economic and technical cooperation, with the participation of the heads of national focal points for South-South cooperation.

The IFCC met on nine occasions in developing countries beginning in Manila (IFCC-I, 1982), Tunis (IFCC-II, 1982), Cartagena de Indias (IFCC-III, 1984), Jakarta (IFCC-IV, 1985), Cairo (IFCC-V, 1986), Havana (IFCC-VI, 1987), Kuala Lumpur (IFCC-VII, 1989), Panama City (IFCC-VIII, 1993) and Manila (IFCC-IX, 1996).

After a lull of five years and as called for by the South Summit held in April 2000, the Tenth Meeting of the Intergovernmental Follow-up and Coordination Committee on ECDC (IFCC-X) of the Group of 77 will be held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, from 18 to 23 August 2001.

The IFCC-X will examine the follow-up actions carried out since IFCC-IX and to address recommendations to be made by meetings that will be organized within the framework of IFCC-X, namely the extraordinary meeting of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Developing Countries; the fourth meeting of the heads of National Focal Points for South-South Cooperation; and the meeting of the Heads of Secretariats of Regional Economic Groupings and Organizations of the South. IFCC-X will also consider the modalities for the expansion of the resources of the Perez-Guerrero Trust Fund for Economic Cooperation among Developing Countries (PGTF).

INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS

1. DATE AND VENUE OF THE CONFERENCE

The tenth session of the Intergovernmental Follow-up and Coordination Committee (IFCC-X) will be held from 18 to 23 August 2001 in the premises of the Iranian Center for International Conferences (ICIC) located at:
Shahid Bahonar Ave.,
Shahid Aghaie St.,
P.O. Box 19575-414
Tehran, Iran
Tel: (+9821) 2802669-70
Fax: (+9821) 2802667
E-mail: icic@dre-mfa.gov.ir

The Conference centre is equipped with all necessary facilities including a Business Centre, a Press Centre, a Tourism Desk, a Foreign Exchange Office, a Medical Centre, and a Prayer Room.

2. VISA REQUIREMENTS

A visa for entry into Iran may be required. Participants are advised to seek information on visa requirements from Iranian diplomatic or consular missions in their home countries. Where a visa is required, applicants are advised to apply in due time prior to departure for Tehran.

The Iranian Authorities will do their utmost to facilitate access procedures for those participants in countries where there are no Iranian Diplomatic representations. To facilitate issuing the required visas, all participants are advised to fill out the Registration Form and send it as soon as possible with an official notification of attendance to:

Office of the Chairman of the Group of 77
(IFCC Secretariat)
United Nations Headquarters, New York
Fax: (1-212) 963-3515/963-1753
Telephone: (1-212) 963-3816/963-0192

and

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: (98)(21) 670-4176
Telephone: (98)(21) 321-2671

3. HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

There is no particular need for participants to take specific health precautions.

4. CLIMATE AND CLOTHING

The weather in August in Tehran is normally hot and dry. Light-weight clothing will therefore be sufficient.

All participants are kindly invited to observe the Islamic Dress Code.

5. VOLTAGE

Electricity in Tehran is generally 220 volts. There are different kinds of plugs and sockets in use. Travellers with computers, shavers, and other appliances should carry a plug adapter kit.

6. CURRENCY

The monetary unit is Iranian Rial (US$ 1 dollar equals about 8,000 Rials). Foreign currency notes of all major currencies are accepted. Banking facilities will be available in the Hotel and the Conference Center.

Please note that Master Card is widely accepted in Iran.

7. HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

Tehran has a full range of hotels of different categories, and many embassies accredited to the Iranian government have specific accommodation arrangements with designated hotels.

All delegations will be accommodated at the Azadi Grand Hotel (5 stars) located at Chamran express way.
Phone: (98) (21) 2073021 - 9
Fax: (98) (21) 2073038, 2073061
E-mail: hotel@azadigrandhotel.com
Website: www.azadigrandhotel.com

The Grand AZADI Hotel has offered for all participants at IFCC-X a Preferential and discounted price for all rooms in different categories:

1. Standard single room 66 US$
2. Standard double room 79 US$
3. Junior suite 93 US$
4. Duplex suite 165 US$
5. Large suite 237 US$
6. Presidential suite 330 US$

Please note that the hotel accepts Master Card or cash as a form of payment and that a service charge (15%) and a Tax (6%) will be added to the above-mentioned room prices. The breakfast is excluded from the room prices.

In order to enable the host country to make the required hotel room reservations, participants are strongly advised to fill out the attached Registration Form and send it as soon as possible to:

Office of the Chairman of the Group of 77
(IFCC Secretariat)
United Nations Headquarters, New York
Fax: (1-212) 963-3515/963-1753
Telephone: (1-212) 963-3816/963-0192

and

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: (98)(21) 670-4176
Telephone: (98)(21) 321-2671

Please note that hotel rooms for all participants will be booked through the National Organizing Committee upon receipt of the Registration Form.

8. ARRIVAL IN TEHRAN

To facilitate the reception of delegations on arrival and departure, a Welcome and Information Desk will be set up at Tehran International Airport. The date of arrival and flight number of heads of delegation should be communicated directly to the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tehran). Transportation between the airport and AZADI Grand Hotel will be arranged by the National Organizing Committee.

9. PERSONAL EFFECTS AND OTHER ARTICLES

Participants may bring all personal effects without paying customs duties.
Please note that all sorts of alcoholic drinks and immoral materials in any form (Videotape, VCD, CD, Floppy disk, magazines, etc.) are strictly forbidden.

10. LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

Special bus lines connecting AZADI Grand Hotel to the ICIC premises will operate during the meeting. Upon arrival at the airport, participants will receive information concerning the public transport network in Tehran.

11. CAR PARKING

A limited number of parking spaces will be reserved for delegations in the Iranian Center for International Conference (ICIC) parking grounds. Special parking stickers must be obtained from the protocol office of the Conference Centre.

12. REGISTRATION AND ACCREDITATION

For purposes of accreditation and the issuance of security badges, all participants should communicate their official notification of attendance as well as the registration forms (click to download it in Acrobat PDF format) )as soon as possible to:

Office of the Chairman of the Group of 77
(IFCC Secretariat)
United Nations Headquarters, New York
Fax: (1-212) 963-3515/963-1753
Telephone: (1-212) 963-3816/963-0192

and

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: (98)(21) 670-4176
Telephone: (98)(21) 321-2671

13. BUSINESS CENTER

A Business Centre for participants will be available at the ICIC for postal services, telephone, facsimile services, and internet access.

14. FIRST AID AND HEALTH SERVICES

An on-site medical service will provide all first aid facilities at the conference center during the conference.

15. LOST / FOUND PROPERTY

Enquiries regarding Lost / Found property should be addressed to the Security Desk located at the conference center.

16. TRAVEL SERVICES

Iran Air has an extensive network of Connections to major Asian, African and European Capitals. All major airlines in Asia, Africa and Europe have daily flights to Tehran.

During the Conference a travel desk located at the Conference Center will assist delegations in making arrangements for domestic and international flights and tours in the country.

17. CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

The detailed programme of the Conference will be issued in a separate document (G-77/IFCC-X/A.3). A daily journal which will also include announcements of other events will be made available to all participants during the Conference.

A special programme for spouses will be also made available to all delegations.

18. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

IFCC-X conference information can be accessed via the internet at: www.g77.org/ifcc

Requests for further clarification and additional information should be addressed to:

Office of the Chairman of the Group of 77
(IFCC Secretariat)
United Nations Headquarters, New York
Fax: (1-212) 963-3515/963-1753
Telephone: (1-212) 963-3816/963-0192

and

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: (98)(21) 670-4176
Telephone: (98)(21) 321-2671