Date and location
The Sixty-first session of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean is scheduled to take place in Le Palace Hotel, Gammarth, Tunis, Tunisia, from Sunday 19 October to Wednesday 22 October 2014, inclusive.
Address
Complexe Cap Gammarth
BP 86 2078 La Marsa, Les Côtés de Carthage
Tunisie
Tel : +216 71 912 000
Fax : +216 71 911 442 / +216 71 911 971
On 19 October 2014, at 9.00 hrs, the pre-RC Technical Meetings will take place in the Le Serail conference hall, followed by the inaugural session of the Regional Committee, in the same hall, at 19:00 hrs.
Registration for participation
The registration form for participation in the 61st session of the RC is attached as Annex A. Each participant should complete the form and return it to the WHO Secretariat not later than 7 September 2014.
Membership and attendance
The Regional Committee shall consist of representatives one each from the Member States forming the Eastern Mediterranean Region of the World Health Organization. The representatives may be accompanied by alternates and advisers (Rule 1 of the Rules of Procedure).
The Regional Director, in consultation with the Regional Committee, may invite States not members of the Committee to participate without vote in the sessions of the Committee. The Regional Director, in consultation with the Regional Committee, may also invite nongovernmental organizations to participate in the deliberations of the Committee (Rule 2 of the Rules of Procedure).
Credentials
The Member States shall communicate to the Regional Director, not less than 15 days before the date fixed for the opening of the session of the Committee, the name of their representatives, including all alternates and advisers. Similarly organizations and States invited to be represented at the session shall communicate the names of the persons by whom they will be represented. The credentials of representatives and names of alternates, advisers and observers shall be submitted to the Regional Director if possible not less than two days before the opening of the session of the Regional Committee. Such credentials shall be issued by the Head of State, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Health or any other appropriate authority (Rule 3 of the Rules of Procedure).
Working languages
The working languages of the Committee are Arabic, English and French. Statements made in any of these languages will be interpreted simultaneously into the other two languages.
Agenda and other documents
The Provisional Agenda for this Regional Committee Session (Document EM/RC61/1) is attached as Annex B. Further official documentation of the session will be available in Arabic, English and French on the home page of the session (http://www.emro.who.int/rc61) from early September 2014.
Documents will not be dispatched by post. Furthermore, participants are kindly requested to bring all documents to the session, as only limited numbering hard copies will be available.
Submissions by delegations
It would be appreciated if delegations wishing to propose draft resolutions distributed to the Regional Committee could hand them in to the Secretariat at least 2 days before the proposal is discussed, to allow time for translation, reproduction in the working languages and circulation to delegations.
Travel arrangements
Delegates/participants should make their own travel arrangements for both outward and return journeys. They are strongly advised to have their return flights confirmed before departing for Tunisia, as onward reservations and deviations may be difficult to obtain at short notice. The Secretariat will provide assistance with travel arrangements during the session, if needed.
Arrival in Tunisia
Upon arrival at Tunis-Carthage International Airport, transport to the hotel will be made available, provided participants have supplied their travel details on time. In order to facilitate the process, please return Annex A, completed with flight details and transportation requirements.
The journey time by car from the airport to the hotel is around 20 minutes.
Entry visa to Tunisia
Representatives and other participants should obtain visa for Tunisia prior to departure from their home countries. Should any assistance be required, they should contact either the WHO Representative or the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in their countries. Meanwhile, the Regional Office in Cairo is prepared to assist participants from countries where consular authorities of Tunisia are not available in obtaining their visa on arrival at the airport. Please indicate your need for assistance with visa in Annex A and attach a clear copy of your passport.
Privileges and immunities
All Members officially attending the Regional Committee in Tunis, as well as their alternates and advisers, will enjoy the privileges and immunities granted to Representatives at meetings convened by UN Specialized Agencies, which are set out in the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies.
Health requirements on arrival/departure
According to the WHO International Travel and Health Requirements, the Government of Tunisia does not require any vaccination certificates from international travellers except for those coming from yellow fever-infected areas. However, also check with the travel agent or airline concerned regarding any recent developments in health requirements.
Insurance
The Secretariat cannot accept liability for personal accidents or loss of or damage to the private property of participants and accompanying persons, either during or indirectly arising from attendance at the sixty-first session of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean. Participants should make their own arrangements with respect to health and travel insurance.
Accommodation
Hotel accommodation has been arranged at Le Palace Hotel. Hotel rates are included in the booking request (Annex A). Participants should complete the form and return it to the WHO Secretariat not later than 7 September 2014.
Hotel bookings will be arranged as and when requests are received and participants will be advised by return about action taken. It is important that requests for hotel accommodation are complete, with the exact duration of stay and number of room bookings to be made, as well as whether each room or suite should be for single or double occupancy.
Please note that the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean cannot undertake to guarantee accommodation and rates for requests received after 7 September 2014.
Transportation
Transport will be provided on arrival and departure and for any official functions which are held away from the hotel, noting that transportation will only be made available to and from the hotel listed in Annex A.
Banking facilities
The current exchange rate is TND 1.639 per 1 US$ which is subject to change should there be a revision in rates. Foreign currency can be exchanged at the hotel or at any bank in Tunis or authorized dealers. The hotel bank is open 24 hours. Major credit cards are accepted in most establishments.
Climate
In October the weather is expected to be warm during the day and cold in the evening. Temperatures during this time of the year range between a maximum of 23ºC and a minimum of 15ºC.
