PROCEDURE FOR ENTERING AND LEAVING CUBA

12. All participating delegations must contact the Cuban Embassy or Consulate in their respective country. The Cuban Government will inform each representation about the organization of the event and provide support for the visa requirements if necessary. In the event that a Cuban diplomatic representation is not present in a given country, in participants must inform the Cuban authorities and the G-77 Secretariat, and provide the full name (as appears in the passport), place and date of birth, nationality; passport number, date and place of issuance as well as date of expiration and the planned period of stay in Cuba.

All correspondence related to visa issues must be sent to the following address:

13. There are no vaccination requirements for international travelers.

14. All participants are requested to confirm their arrival date at least two weeks in advance. They must indicate the date and time of their arrival, the name of the airline, the flight number, and other relevant information. This information will facilitate the customs procedures as well as the transportation to the hotel.

15. Cuban authorities will prepare all the necessary arrangements upon the arrival of participants, providing assistance at the immigration office, customs, luggage and transport to the hotel. The same procedures will be arranged at departure. Upon arrival at José Marti International Airport, all participants must contact the representatives of the travel agency Havanatur S.A. for their transportation to the hotel. The travel agents will be easily identified by the Group of 77 and Havanatur S.A. logo.

16. Participants are advised to contact the travel desk located in Palco Hotel in order to confirm the date and the time of their departure flight as well as to obtain information about tourist activities.

17. Upon departure, the payment of an airport tax of 25.00 CUC is due at the José Marti International Airport.

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CURRENCY EXCHANGE AND BANKING SERVICES

18. The official currency in Cuba is the Peso Convertible (CUC), which is equivalent to one US Dollar. All payments (hotel, guided tours, services) must be done in CUC. It is recommended to exchange the currency into CUC upon arrival, either at the airport or at other places available 24 hours. Hotels, banks and exchange offices (CADECAS) are available as well.

19. When exchanging US Dollars, a10% charge will be applied. The exchange is also available for Euros, Canadian Dollars, Sterling Pounds, Yens, or Swiss Francs, according to the day's international exchange rate of the US Dollar. There is no charge when exchanging these currencies into CUC. The following credit cards are accepted: VISA, Master Card, CABAL y VISA Electron, as long as the issuing bank is not from the United States.

FIRST AID

20. A 24-hour medical service and first aid facility will be available in the area of the Palacio de las Convenciones and Hotel Palco.

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REGISTRATION

21. Participants must fill an application form (Annex A) and submit it to the G-77 Secretariat or to the Cuban authorities at the following addresses:

22. Identification passes will be issued to the participants beginning on Sunday, 20 March, in the Hall of Palco Hotel between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and on Monday, 21 March, from 8:00 a.m. in the Information Bureau of Palacio de las Convenciones. All participants are kindly requested to register as soon as possible at the registration desk.

23. A provisional list of participants will be available during the second day of the meeting. It will be revised later if necessary. Any change in the list must be notified to the G-77 Secretariat. Only registered participants will get an ID pass that would allow them to access all conference rooms.

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ACCREDITATION

24. Participants will have to submit appropriate credentials (e.g., a note verbale from sending country/institution) to be considered delegates of their country or institution.

25. Havana city is located at 23 degrees 17' north latitude and 82 degrees 28' west. In March, the temperature is 26 degrees Celsius, with fluctuations between 23 and 28 degrees Celsius.

ELECTRICITY

26. Electricity in Cuba is 110 volts and 60.

ACCOMODATION

27. For hotel reservations participants must fill in the application form Annex B and submit it to the address on the bottom of the Annex B as soon as possible. Please note that 7 March 2005 is the deadline to maintain a hotel reservation.

28. The G-77 Secretariat and Cuban authorities have arranged special rates to accommodate all participants in the Palacio de las Convenciones area, in Palco Hotel, through the travel agency Havanatur S.A. This area of 62.000 square feet enjoys a modern infrastructure suited for conferences, events, public and private communications, an in-site hotel, gastronomy, shopping area, swimming pools, business area, internet access, conference and event rooms, transport and tourism services, cable TV. For more information about the hotel visit the website of Palacio de las Convenciones: www.cpalco.com

Special fares with buffet breakfast included:

Dinner is 14.00 CUC per person per day.

Send accommodation requests to:

***For more information on other hotels, please download the List of Known Hotels in PDF version from the Downloadable Documents page.

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APPLICATION FORMS

The application forms for accreditation and for accomodation are available for download from the Downloadable Documents page.

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