PMNCH 2014 logo
WHEN: Monday 30 June - Tuesday 1 July 2014; WHERE: Sandton Convention Centre, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa
 

Travel Advice

Paramount information to note before your travel:

  • Yellow fever vaccination certificates

  • Should participants plan to travel to certain zones outside the Johannesburg there may be necessity to take Malaria prophylaxis (details are included in the Health section below)

  • Visas are absolutely essential for citizens of countries that require a visa for South Africa

  • For any requests regarding visas, hotel information, and transfers please contact:

                        Ms Lerato Miyen, email: lmiyen@tourvestdm.com M + 27 82 555 9659

  • For further requests please contact:

                        Ms Olive Cocoman, email: cocomano@who.int M: 41 7956 21643

 

 

Introduction

The Partners’ Forum aims to take stock of progress and accelerate action for women’s and children’s health, and set out a vision for the world we want beyond 2015. Co-hosted by the Government of the Republic of South Africa, Countdown to 2015, A Promise Renewed, the independent Expert Review Group and The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH), the Partner’s Forum will welcome over 800 participants from health and non-health sectors, including representatives from countries, multilateral organizations, UN agencies, civil society and the private sector.

The key objectives are:

  • Develop a strategic vision for the PMNCH community for the post-2015 era that will be set out in the Partners Forum Declaration.
  • Take stock and learn lessons from the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) achievements to date to inform the future, and guide investment and action.

Strengthen implementation of existing commitments and promote greater accountability for women, newborns, children and adolescents enabling them to realize their right to the highest attainable standard of health in the years to 2015 and beyond.

Meeting Date and Place of the Partners' Forum

DATE 

The Partners’ Forum will open in Johannesburg on Monday, 30 June 2014 at 09:00 hours.
It is expected to close on Tuesday, 01 July 2014 at approximately 18:00 hours.

PLACE:

It will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa

Address: 5th St. Sandton, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa

Telephone: +27 11 780 5000

On 29 June 2014, there will be a range of partner meetings and welcome events at the Sandton Convention Centre and in hotels beside the convention centre. 

I.   Online Registration

In advance of the Forum, all invited delegates have been asked to register online. Please make sure you have completed registration as our invitation list is provided to the National Intelligence Agency, Government of South Africa. Those names that are not on the invitation list will have to be approved onsite, and thereafter given permission to proceed to registration and accreditation separately which will take time. Pre-registration online will help this process run smoothly for all our guests.

I.   Accreditation in Johannesburg

The Accreditation Centre will be situated at the Sandton Conference Centre, Level 3.

Open from Saturday, 28 June 2014 to Tuesday, 01 July 2014 from 08:00 hours to 18:00 hours

  • In accordance with the requirements of the Government of the Republic of South Africa, accreditation must be done in person by each delegate. This will be undertaken by the Government of the Republic of South Africa.
  • A valid passport or national identification document must be presented.
  • All the delegates will be issued with personalized identification badges with their photo and security chip.
  • Access to the Sandton Convention Centre will only be possible in possession of their official identification.

FOCAL POINT FOR TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

FOCAL POINT FOR SECURITY:

FOCAL POINT FOR FURTHER QUESTIONS:

VISAS

All visitors to South Africa must hold valid passports that are valid for at thirty (30) days beyond the expected date of departure from South Africa and that furthermore has at least one unused page when presented for endorsement. Citizens of countries that require visas for South Africa should obtain these beforehand at the appropriate South African embassies or consulates. The South African authorities refuse entry to people who do not have the required entry visa. Requests for visa support letter should be addressed to Mrs Dalia Susini (susinid@who.int).

PMNCH LIABILITY FOR FUNDED DELEGATES

PMNCH will cover the following travel expenses for funded delegates:

  • Return air ticket (economy class);
  • Hotel accommodation
  • Transport from/to airport; and
  • Partial per diem (according to WHO Policy).

Non-funded delegates are responsible for their costs incurred and for preparations for travel and accommodation. Please contact Lerato, email lmiyen@tourvestdm.com, for support with airport transfers and visa letters.

IMMIGRATION AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS ON ARRIVAL

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

All visitors to South Africa who travel from or through Yellow Fever areas, as designated by the World Health Organization (WHO), must carry valid certificates of vaccination against Yellow Fever. These certificates will be checked upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport to ensure the validity of vaccinations. Participants failing to provide proof thereof will be required to submit to vaccination prior to entry into the country, at delegate cost.

Please note that visitors who stay on and visit areas close to the border with Mozambique need to take Malaria prophylaxis. These areas are the eastern parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces as well as the northern parts of Kwazulu-Natal province. An example would be visitors to Kruger National Park who need to take Malaria prophylaxis.

ARRIVAL IN JOHANNESBURG

Delegates travelling by air will arrive at OR Tambo International Airport situated about 25km from the Sandton Convention Centre (60 kilometers from Pretoria).

There will be a Partners’ Forum arrival booth at the airport. This will be after delegates clear customs and immigration and will be located in the international arrivals hall. Staff will be on hand to support your transfer to the hotel.

SECURITY

  • The South African Government will be responsible for overall security throughout the duration of the Forum. Special security arrangements will be in place at the access points to the meeting including metal detectors for screening of hand luggage, attaché cases, etc.

For those who bring their own security, wish to undertake a reconnaissance visit, or need information regarding the arms policy, please contact: Mr Johan Grundling, email: GrundJ@health.gov.za 

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

PMNCH has made block bookings with the following hotels and the promotional codes are provided below:

Intercontinental Sandton Sun and Towers
Corner of Maude & 5th Street
Sandton, Johannesburg 2146
Telephone: +27 11 780 5550

Block Code PM2
Please email: Reservations@icsandtontowers.com

Sandton Sun, Sandton City
5th Street
Sandton, Johannesburg 2146
Telephone: +27 11 780 5000

Block Code 2526490
Please email: sandtonsun.reservations@tsogosun.com

Garden Court, Sandton City
Corner of West and Maude Street,
Sandton, Johannesburg 2146
Telephone: +27 11 269 7000

Block Code 1070703
Please email: gcsandtoncity.reservations@tsogosun.com

GETTING FROM YOUR HOTEL TO THE VENUE

The Sandton Sun, Sandton City and Intercontinental Sandton Sun and Towers hotels are easily accessible by skywalk to the venue the Sandton Convention Centre. The Garden Court Hotel is located next to the Convention Centre. The Balalaika Protea is a 5 minute walk from the venue and regular shuttles are provided.

BOOKING PRIVATE MEETING ROOMS

PMNCH is unable to provide private meeting rooms. The Sandton Convention Centre is now fully booked, should you require private meeting areas, please contact the hotels directly at your own expense.

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

Medical services for minor illnesses will be provided at the venue.
These services will be available as follows:

  • Monday, 30 June: from 08:00 hours to 21:00 hours
  • Tuesday, 01 July: from 08:00 hours to 17:00 hours

Ambulances and emergency medical response vehicles are also available and operate on a 24-hour basis. For urgent emergencies after hours, delegates are requested to contact hotel emergency numbers.

Delegates are encouraged to obtain medical travel insurance from a reputable organization. A medical centre will be located at the Sandton Convention Centre and medical personnel will be available to provide immediate emergency or primary health care if required. In the unlikely event of a delegate becoming seriously ill, or incurring a serious injury, emergency medical transportation to the closest appropriate health facility will be provided. Although any such treatment and/or transportation will be provided at no charge, any treatment requiring a prescription, in-hospital examinations or hospitalization will be for the cost of the delegate.

DRINKING WATER

The tap water in South Africa is safe to drink. Gauteng Province falls outside the malaria risk area in South Africa. Delegates need therefore not to take any precautions relating to contracting malaria.

MEDIA

Members of the local and international press are welcome to cover the Partners’ Forum. List of members of the press should be communicated to the Organizers. A press room will be provided in the Conference Centre for members of the press who will cover the sessions.

For any queries, please contact:

Aimee de la Houssaye
Manager
Global Health Strategies | New York

Office: +1 646 862 1811
Mobile: +1 917 209 2825
Email: adelahoussaye@globalhealthstrategies.com

BANKING SERVICES AND CURRENCY

Banking hours are from 09.00 hours to 15.30 hours on weekdays and from 08.30 hours to 11.00 hours on Saturdays. Most banks have cash dispensing machines accepting Visa, MasterCard and Cirrus. Bureau de Change facilities are available OR Tambo International Airport and in the Sandton area.

Most internationally recognized currencies and travelers’ cheques can be exchanged at commercial banks, hotels and international airport. Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops.

There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency that may be imported into South Africa by individual non-residents, provided that it is declared on arrival to facilitate the exportation thereof on departure.

The unit of currency is the Rand (R) that is divided into 100 cents. Exchange rates are subject to fluctuation. At the time of printing the rate of exchange was approximately US$ 1 = R10.40 and 1 Euro = R 14.18.

MOBILE TELEPHONE COVERAGE

Mobile telephone coverage will be provided by all South Africa service providers, viz. Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Virgin Mobile. Mobile telephone service providers will also provide gateway to internet using GPRS or 3G.

CLIMATE

Please note that it is winter in South Africa. The average temperatures in the area around Gauteng at this time of the year vary between 20°C maximum and 6°C minimum during day time but might drop to 0°C during night times.

TIME

The time in South Africa is GMT plus 2 hours.

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

The power supply in South Africa is 220vAC, 50Hz. Electrical sockets are either rounded or squared three pronged.

COMMUNICATION FACILITIES

Telephone, postal, fax and internet services are available at the expense of the delegates. Prepaid mobile phones/cards will be available at rental desks located at the OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton Shopping Centre.

DRIVERS’ LICENCES

Drivers must have valid driving licenses, which carry a photograph of the holder, and is either printed or authenticated in English.

BUSINESS AND SHOPPING HOURS

Offices and businesses are generally open from 08:30 hours to 17:00 hours, Monday to Friday. Shopping hours vary, but most of the shops are open from 09:00 hours to 17:00 hours, Monday to Friday. Opening times on Saturdays vary, but range between 09:00 hours and 17:00 hours.

VALUE-ADDED TAX

Value-added tax (VAT) is charged on most goods and services except when purchased in duty-free shops at international airports. The current rate is 14%. On presentation of the goods and tax invoices, VAT refunds may be reclaimed at the international airports.

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