Note for Participants: Practical Information Prepcom2

I. Introduction

The second session of the Preparatory Committee of the third United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) will be held in the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) in Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya, from Tuesday, 14 April to Thursday, 16 April 2015.

Address of the Preparatory Committee meeting:

United Nations Office at Nairobi

Gigiri – UN Avenue

P.O. Box 67578

Nairobi, Kenya 00200

Information on the First Preparatory Committee and the conference itself is available on the Habitat III website at https://www.habitat3.org

The Habitat III Secretariat can be contacted at habitat3secretariat@un.org

II. How to access the Conference venue?

All participants need to be registered prior to the meeting to be allowed access. Registered participants will be screened and are advised not to bring weapons, ammunition, inflammable items or sharp objects.

Access to the United Nations Gigiri Complex is via the United Nations Avenue. Pedestrian access is through the Pavilion north of the main vehicle access. The participants will be issued with conference photo badges and are advised to wear the badge at all times during their visit to the complex.

The main vehicle access gate is located opposite to the US Embassy. Only vehicles with an official United Nations Decal will be allowed into the complex and are subject to screening. Vehicle Decals would need to be required to the Conference secretariat.

III. How to participate and register for the Preparatory Committee?

Registration

Member States: Find all information on the registration for Member States here

Intergovernmental organizations: Find all information on the registration for Intergovernmental organizations here

United Nations system: Find all information on the registration for the United Nations system here

Non-governmental organizations and major groups: Find all information on the registration for non-governmental organizations and major groups here

Media: Find all information on the registration for media here

IV. How to get the badge and access the premises?

Passes provided by United Nations security will allow registered participants access to the United Nations Office in Nairobi. Information on dates to collect badges will be published soon on the website.

To obtain the pass for attending the Preparatory Committee, a valid national passport or photo ID must be presented to the United Nations Office in Nairobi Visitors’ Center Pavilion at the stated date and time for the issuance of a pass together with the confirmation e-mail which was sent to each nominated representative after the registration form was received and status confirmed.

To avoid long queues on the first day, delegates are strongly encouraged to collect their badges in advance.

Hours of the PREPCOM2 Accreditation Centre:

Friday, 10 April – from 09:00 – 14:00

Saturday, 11 April – from 09:00 – 17:00

Sunday, 12 April – from 09:00 – 17:00

Monday, 13 April – from 09:00 – 17:00

Tuesday, 14 April – from 07:30 – 17:00

Wednesdsay, 15 April – from 08:00 – 17:00

Thursday, 16 April – from 08:00 – 17:00

V. Arrangements for meetings

Seating arrangements

Two seats (2+2) will be made available for each official government delegation at the plenary session. Member states will be seated following the all-state formula. A limited number of seats will also be available for representatives of intergovernmental organizations, the United Nations system and major groups at the plenary session.

Languages and interpretation

In the plenary room, statements made in any of the six official languages will be interpreted into the other official languages. Any representative may make a statement in a language other than the official languages. In such cases, the delegation should provide either an interpretation or a written text of the statement in one of the official languages. The interpretation or written text will be considered by the secretariat to represent the official text of the statement and will be used by United Nations interpreters as the basis for interpretation into the other official languages.

Registration for statements

Government delegations wishing to inscribe on the list of speakers are invited to contact the General Assembly Affairs Branch (e-mail muturi@un.org copying habitat3secretariat@un.org). Statements should be limited to three minutes when speaking in a national capacity and five minutes when speaking on behalf of a group.

Distribution of documents

In an effort to support greening, participants are encouraged to download documents from the website or the Official Documents System of the United Nations (https://documents.un.org).

Wireless internet

Wireless Internet access will be available in the UN compound and meeting rooms. Select the Wireless Network connection named “VISITORS” or ‘DELEGATES”.

VI. Additional practical information

Arrival airport

Almost all participants will arrive at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) which is located in the Embakasi suburb, 15 kilometers from Nairobi’s central business district and 25 kilometers from the United Nations Office at Nairobi, Gigiri.

Many hotels provide courtesy shuttle services to/from the airport and in some cases from the hotel to the United Nations complex. Visitors should pre-advise their hotel of their transportation needs. Recommended taxi companies are listed below:

Pewin Cabs, Tel: 0727-776 761

Jatco Taxis, Tel: 0725-280 000

Jim Cab Services, Tel: 0735-555 559

Apollo Tours Ltd, Tel: 0723-794 249

Amicabre Travels Ltd, Tel: 0710-760 055

Note: Although it is only 25 km from the airport to the United Nations compound, the trip can take between 45 and 120 minutes

depending on the time of day. City rush hours are from 7:00 am to 9:00 am and 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Accommodation

Participants are responsible for making arrangements for their own accommodation and travel.

The following guest houses are also available in the vicinity of the UN complex which have been subjected to UN security survey and are available here.

The following guest houses are also available in the vicinity of the UN complex but have NOT been subjected to UN security survey and are available here.

Health

All representatives interested in attending are required to have adequate medical insurance prior to arrival. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for travelers coming from countries where yellow fever may occur. Immunization against yellow fever is recommended for travelers from other countries. Malaria is prevalent in Kenya though there is little risk in Nairobi and the highlands. It is therefore advisable that precautions when travelling out of these areas. Any medical costs incurred during the stay in Kenya shall be borne by the meeting participants directly. It is therefore strongly recommended that the participants arrange for their own health insurance.

Medical Services

The UNON Medical Clinic emergency and first aid assistance, including on-call (24 hour) ambulance services are available. On-site medical assistance is available during all meetings, conferences and events. The UNON clinic also offers general medical assistance, vaccinations and a broad range of medical services. It is located at Block F, room 117 at the UNON Compound in Gigiri.

Tel: +254 (20) 762 22 67

Emergency line: +254 (20) 762 59 99

Time Zone

Kenya is GMT +0300 hours

Weather

Weather in Nairobi is fairly consistent through the year. The average day time temperature is 21-26 degrees centigrade, but can drop to 10 degrees centigrade, especially at night. Most rainfall (rainy season) is seen in April, May, November and December. It is advisable to carry a light jacket and an umbrella.

Electricity

This is 240 volts. Kindly note that Kenya uses the 13A 3 pin wall switch socket outlet.

Water

For guaranteed safe drinking water, please use bottled water which is widely available.

Official languages

The official languages of the Republic of Kenya are English and Swahili.

Money and Banking

The official currency of the Republic of Kenya is the Kenya Shilling (KES). They range in the denomination 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 shillings. The current exchange rates are:

1 US Dollar = KES 90.00

1 EURO = KES 120.22

Please, note that this is subject to change. The rates quoted are those in force as of the drafting of this information.

Foreign currency can be changed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), banks, foreign currency Exchange Bureaus or hotels. Banks in major centers are open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday to Friday and from 9:00am to 12:00 pm on the first and last Saturday of each month.

The following currency exchange places are available near or at the United Nations complex in Gigiri:

KCB bank and Standard Chartered Bank can be found on the ground floor in the United Nations complex in Gigiri, next to the Delegates Lounge.

Give and Take Forex Bureau at Emerald Garden. From the main gate of the United Nations complex in Gigiri, cross the road, turn right and walk about 200 meters. You will find the building to your left.

Warwick Center from the main gate of the United Nations complex in Gigiri, cross the road, turns left and walk about 100 meters. The building will be to your right.

ATMs

ATMs are available country wide with 24-hour access. Most accepted international VISA cards. All major international cards are accepted. Credit card fraud occurs in Kenya, as in most other parts of the world, and the usual precautions should be taken.

Travellers’ cheques

Travellers’ cheques are accepted at most banks, bureaux and hotels.

Tipping

Tipping is appreciated. Most hotels and restaurants include a 10% service charge.

Travel agency

For participants interested in arranging a sightseeing tour or safaris during their visit to Kenya, the following agents are available to provide assistance:

BCD Travel (on the compound)

Tel: +254 (20) 7622 24 92

ummi@bcdtravel.co.ke

Express Travel (on the compound)

Tel: +254 (20) 762 49 92

Pushpak.pradhan@expresstravelgroup.co.ke

Postal/Courier Service

The Post Office is available in the UNON complex and open Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

DHL courier mail service is also located at the UNON complex, lower concourse, next to the Post Office. Open Monday to Friday, 08:00 am to 5:00 pm.

VIII. Emergency numbers

UNON Security: +254 (20) 762 66 66

Kenyan police: +254 (20) 272 42 01 or +254 999

Diplomatic police: +254 (0) 726 28 30 30 or +254 (0) 735 35 65 06

Nairobi Hospital: +254 (20) 284 50 00

Aga Khan Hospital: +254 (20) 366 20 00

St. John Ambulance Service: +254 (20) 221 00 00 or +254 (20) 224 10 00