Preparatory Workshop for the Least Developed Countries (LDC's) Group of Experts on Climate Change 27-29 October 2008, Maseru, Lesotho

INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS

1.     Date And Venue Of The Workshop

The Workshop will be held from 27-29 October 2008 at the Manthabiseng Convention Centre in Maseru.

2.     Arrival and Departure

Delegates will arrive at Moshoeshoe I International Airport which is approximately 27Km from the city centre. Airport pick-up and drop-off will be provided.

Delegates who may arrive in Bloemfontein Airport, Republic of South Africa, that is approximately 130km from Maseru are required to inform us on time to arrange for them to be picked from Bloemfontein. Such delegates should also arrange transit visas for South Africa. The main Borders of Maseru, Maputsoe and Butha-Buthe are open 24 hours a Day, seven days a week.

Departure fee is not payable at the airport. However, delegates driving to Lesotho are advised that a toll fee of M20.00 for sedans and M50.00 for Combis and SUV’s will be levied upon entry at the borders.

3.     Visa / Entry Requirements

All visitors to Lesotho must have a valid passport or similar authentic travel document. Participants who require visas to enter Lesotho should make efforts to acquire visa for entry into Lesotho from their countries of origin. However, those who may require assistance to obtain visas on arrival should advice the organisers on time to assist them with necessary letters to facilitate their travel.

Lesotho is a Member of Commonwealth and therefore does not require visas from Commonwealth Member States.

4.     Accommodation

The Workshop will be held at the Manthabiseng Convention Centre. A list of hotels within reasonable distance from the conference venue has been provided. However, to ensure ease of transportation and access to facilities, participants are encouraged to make their choice from the following hotels;

i)                    Victoria Hotel

ii)                  Khali Hotel, and

iii)                Black Swan Guest House

The full addresses and charges of these hotels are in the hotel list provided. Participants should inform the organizers by 15 October 2008 if reservations are to be made at the hotels of their choice from the list provided. Participants are responsible for settling all expenses directly with the hotel.

5.     Transportation During The Workshop

Public transport (sedan taxis) is available at a reasonable rate. There are also a number of taxis service providers who operate 24 hours within the city centre.

6.     Funding

A.                             Participants whose travels are sponsored by UNEP will be provided an air ticket and  a daily subsistence allowance at ad hoc United Nations rates for Maseru.  In order to facilitate the payment of subsistence allowance, eligible participants are requested to submit original boarding passes of all incoming flights, air tickets and passports to the secretariat staff for photocopying.

B.                              Participants who are unable to stay for the duration of the meeting are requested to inform UNEP as soon as possible after arrival, so that the subsistence allowance can be adjusted accordingly.

C.                              You are advised to arrange (at your own expenses or that of your organization) insurance against sickness, accident, permanent or temporary disability, death and third party risk for the period of the meeting including the journey to and from Lesotho. UNEP or the Hospitality Committee will not assume responsibility for any other expenditure, including the following:

a.        All expenses in the home country incidental to travel aboard, including expenditure for visas, medical care, inoculations and other such miscellaneous items and internal travel to and from the airport of arrival and departure in your home country;

b.        Salary and related allowances for participants during the period of the meeting;

c.         Costs incurred by participants in respect of travel insurance, accident insurance, medical bills or hospitalization fees in connection with attending the meeting;

d.        Compensation in the event of death or disability of participants in connection with attending the meeting;

e.        Any loss of or damage to personal property of participants while attending the meeting or losses or damages claimed by third parties as a result of any negligence on the part of the participants;

f.               Any other expenses of a personal nature not directly related to the purpose of the meeting.

7.     Currency

Lesotho’s standard unit of currency is Loti and is divided into 100 Lisente.

(One Loti = 100 Lisente)

            The exchange rate as at 8 October 2008 is 1US$ = M8.87

Lesotho’s currency is tied to the South African Rand on a one to one basis and Rands are accepted throughout the country, though Maloti are not accepted as medium of exchange in South Africa.

Import

There are no restrictions on foreign currency notes brought into the country as long as they are declared. The following items may be brought to Lesotho without incurring Customs Duty: 400 cigarettes or 500g of tobacco; one bottle of spirits and wine and 2.5 litres of beer; 1oz bottle perfume.

8.     Banking Facilities

Banking hours are as follows:

            Monday – Friday                     0830 – 1530 hours

            Saturday                                  0830 – 1200 hours

Please note that there are three major banks in Lesotho, Standard Lesotho Bank, NedBank and First National Bank. All three Banks provide Foreign exchange services. These services are also available at some major Hotels.

9.     Health Regulations

Lesotho has good health facilities. There are no vaccination certificate requirements. However, delegates are advised to take a medical insurance cover to cater for major ailments or medical requirements. Delegates who may have to enter through South Africa will require yellow fever vaccination.

10.Weather

October marks the beginning of the rainy season in Lesotho. Temperatures are generally warm. Daytime temperatures range from 23-24°C in the Lowlands and 15-20°C in the Highlands, and can occasionally rise to above 30°C in the Lowlands and 25°C in the Highlands. Nighttime temperatures are 10-11°C in the Lowlands and 3-8°C in the Highlands.

11.Telecommunications

There are two mobile telephone service providers and one fixed line service provider in Lesotho. Internet is available at various locations throughout the city center, and internet services will be provided at the conference venue.

Satellite and GSM connections facilitate telephone and fax communications between Lesotho and most European countries, the USA, SADC region and elsewhere in the world.

There are seven local radio stations, three of which broadcast primarily in English.

There is one television station, Lesotho Television, broadcasting primarily between 19h00 and 21h00. All hotels have access to South African free television channels and some hotels have access to satellite television.

12.Safety and Security

Lesotho is regarded as a safe country with few incidents of petty crime. However, delegates are requested to take precautions to ensure their own security and that of their belongings.