Twenty-fourth Meeting of Ministers of Health and Fifty-ninth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia

Twenty-fourth Meeting of Ministers of Health and Fifty-ninth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia Hotel Dhaka Sheraton, Dhaka, Bangladesh 20-25 August 2006

GENERAL INFORMATION BOOKLET Contents Date and Time... 1 Venue... 1 Information about Bangladesh... 2 Accommodation... 3 Passports / Visas... 3 Arrival at Zia International Airport... 5 Health Regulations... 5 Currency / Foreign Exchange... 6 Telephone and Fax... 6 Local Time... 6 Electricity... 7 Climate... 7 Airport Tax... 7 Programme for Spouses... 8 WHO Representative's Office... 8 Bangladesh Missions Abroad... 9 Flight Details to and from Bangladesh... 10 Registration Form Bangladesh Visa Application Form General Information Booklet

Date and Time The 24th Meeting of Ministers of Health of countries of the South-East Asia Region will be held from 20-21 August 2006 at Hotel Dhaka Sheraton (Winter Garden). The joint inaugural session will be held on 20 August 2006 at 0900 hours. The detailed programme will be provided in due course. The 59th session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia will also be held at the same venue from 22 to 25 August 2006. Venue Hotel Dhaka Sheraton 1 Minto Road Dhaka, Bangladesh 1000 Tel: 88 02 865 3636 / 88 02 835 8060 Fax: 88 02 831 2915 / 831 2975 Email: sales@sheraton-dhaka.com / website: www.sheraton.com/dhaka From 18 August 2006 onwards, all correspondence relating to arrivals and accommodation of participants for the above meetings should be addressed to the Secretariat at the above address, clearly mentioning (c/o WHO Secretariat - Chameli Room) and at email : 24thHMM/59thRCM@searo.who.int. GENERAL INFORMATION BOOKLET 24 th Meeting of Ministers of Health & 59 th Session of WHO Regional Committee 1

2GENERAL INFORMATION BOOKLET Population Language Religion Information about Bangladesh Drinking water Taxis Medical facilities Tipping General Information Booklet 129 million Bangla is the official language but English is generally understood. Islam is the predominant religion (over 88% population), Hindus comprise about 10%, the rest being Buddhist/Christians/others. The hotel has its own water purification plant and it is safe to drink water from hotel taps. Tri-cycle taxis and black cabs are not recommended. Yellow cabs and hotel vehicles are recommended. Will be provided by the host at the venue. At the discretion of the guests.

Accommodation The host has selected Hotel Dhaka Sheraton as the venue for the meetings and has made block reservations for representatives. It is situated about sixteen kilometers from the Zia International Airport and three kilometers from the WHO Bangladesh Country Office. The hotel is ideally located and is near city's main business centres. The following are the hotel rates: Single Double Deluxe Room US$ 117 ++ US$ 133 ++ (Inclusive of breakfast) You are requested to complete the "Registration Form" (enclosed) and fax it at 91 11 233 78049 not later than 1 July 2006. Rooms cannot be guaranteed if unless completed registration forms are received by the due date. Alternatively, registration can be made online at our website: http://www.searo.who.int/eregistration/rcm Online registration is encouraged. Passports / Visas Travellers are required to carry valid passports or applicable travel documents with valid visas to be able to enter Bangladesh. Passports must be valid until at least six months after intended departure from Bangladesh. GENERAL INFORMATION BOOKLET 24 th Meeting of Ministers of Health & 59 th Session of WHO Regional Committee 3

GENERAL INFORMATION BOOKLET Nationals of the following countries are allowed to enter Bangladesh without visas for a stay up to 90 days. However, they must be in possession of onward tickets. Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Bhutan Dominica Fiji Gambia Grenada Guinea-Bissau Guyana Honduras Jamaica Lesotho Malawi Maldives Montserrat Papua New Guinea Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Seychelles Solomon Islands Uruguay Vatican City Zambia Travellers from countries other than those listed above, as well as holders of United Nations Laissez-Passer (UNLPs) are required to obtain appropriate entry visas from the diplomatic or consular missions of Bangladesh at the point of origin or enroute prior to entering Bangladesh. The list of diplomatic missions or consular offices is given at Annex 1. In all cases, travellers are reminded that visas will not be issued on arrival. 4 General Information Booklet

If there are difficulties in obtaining visas, kindly communicate to the Administrative Services Officer: dyfjr@searo.who.int, World Health Organization, Regional Office for South-East Asia. The following documents are required to be presented at the Bangladesh Embassy: Valid passport Two completed visa application forms Two passport size photographs The processing time to obtain visas is about two days. The visa application form is attached. Flight schedules are provided at Annex 2. Arrival at Zia International Airport The Zia International Airport is about 16 kilometers from the hotel. Representatives whose arrival details have been received will be met on arrival and transported to the hotel. In the unlikely event of the traveller not being met at the airport, taxis are available outside the terminal and the fare to the hotel is about Tk 600 to 800. Health Regulations A health certificate is not required unless the journey originates from, or entails transiting through, the yellow fever-infected areas within the last six days of travel to Bangladesh. However, health insurance is essential for travel. GENERAL INFORMATION BOOKLET 24 th Meeting of Ministers of Health & 59 th Session of WHO Regional Committee 5

GENERAL INFORMATION BOOKLET Currency / Foreign Exchange Bangladesh currency follows the decimal system in Bangladesh Taka (Tk)=100 poisha. Notes are in denominations of Tk 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. The current exchange rate is US$ 1=Tk 66. Details of foreign currency exchanged must be entered in the currency declaration form. Hotel bills must be paid in the major convertible currency, traveller's cheques or through credit card. Many shops in the city will offer better rates of exchange than the bank. Travellers cheques can be exchanged on arrival at the Dhaka Airport. Travellers are advised to carry their travellers cheques in US dollars or pounds sterling. Telephone and Fax The country code of Bangladesh is 880 and the city code for Dhaka is 2. Phone cards are available in denominations of Tk 100. Bangladesh uses GSM system for its mobile phones. Local Time The time in Bangladesh is GMT + 6. Business hours are: Offices: 0900-1700 hours Sunday to Thursday Banks: 0900-1500 hours Sunday to Thursday Stores: 1000-1800 hours with flexibility of extension up to 2000 hours 6 General Information Booklet

Electricity The power supply is 220/240v AC, 50 Hz. Plugs are two and two pin round. Climate Bangladesh has a tropical monsoon climate with heavy summer rains and high summer temperature. Winters are dry and cool. South and south-west winds dominate from mid- April to mid-october and bring enormous amounts of moisture from the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. Of the total rainfall, which averages 80 inches (2040 millimeters), 95% occurs during that period. Airport Tax Airport tax/terminal fee is included in the cost of the ticket. GENERAL INFORMATION BOOKLET 24 th Meeting of Ministers of Health & 59 th Session of WHO Regional Committee 7

GENERAL INFORMATION BOOKLET Programme for Spouses The programme for spouses will be provided on arrival at Dhaka. WHO Representative's Office Dr Duangvadee Sungkhobol House No. 12 Road No. 7 Dhanmondi, Residential Area Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh Tel: 880 2 861 6097 Fax: 880 2 861 3247 Email: registry@whoban.org Working Hours: 0830 to 1630 hours Working Days Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday 8 General Information Booklet

Annex 1 Bangladesh Missions Abroad Bhutan Plot No. HIG G-3, Upper Chubachu Thimphu Tel: 975 22539 Fax: 975 22629 India High Commission of the People s Republic of Bangladesh EP-39, Dr S. Radhakrishan Marg Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 Tel: 91-11-2412 1389 Fax: 91-11-2687 8953/2687 8955 Indonesia (also for Timor-Leste) Jalan Denpasar Raya No. 3 Block A-13 Kav 10, Kuningan, Jakarta Tel: 525 1986 Fax: 62 21 526 1807 Maldives G. Oakum, Kalhuhuraa Magu, Malé Tel: (960) 315541 Fax: (960) 315543 Nepal Maharajganj Ring Road, Kathmandu Municipality Ward No 22, Shanti Ashram Kitta No. 9, Kathmandu Tel: 372 843 Fax: 977 1 373 265 Sri Lanka 47 Ernest de Silva Mawata Colombo, -7 Tel: 681 310; 681 311; 681 312 Fax: 00 941 508 123 Thailand (also for Myanmar) House No. 727, Thonglor, Sol-55 Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok Tel: 392 9437; 392 9438 Fax: 662 392 8070 China (also for DPR Korea) 42, Guanghualu Beijing 100600 Tel: 65-322521/65323706 Fax: 65324-346 France 39 Rue Erlanger75016 Paris Tel: 4651 9033 Fax: 33 1 4651 9035 Switzerland UN Offices Geneva 65 Rue de Lausanne 1202 Geneva Tel: 732 5940; 732 5949 Fax: 41 22 738 4616 United Kingdom 28, Queen s Gate London SW 7 5JA Tel: 01 1 584 0081 Fax: 071 255 2130 United States America 2201 Wisconsin Ave. Suite 300-325 Washington DC 20007 Tel: 202 342 8372 to 76 Fax: 202 333 4971 24 th Meeting of Ministers of Health & 59 th Session of WHO Regional Committee 9

Annex 2 Flight Details to and from Dhaka FROM DEP/ARR MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY BHUTAN VIA BANGKOK DEP TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 BG 85 2000/2115 BG 85 2000/2115 ARR TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 0900/1215 VIA KOLKATA DEP IC 723 1340/1500 AI 530 1410/1530 BG 94 1610//1720 BG 94 1610//1720 BG 94 1610//1720 ARR BG 96 1920/2030 BG 96 1920/2030 BG 96 1920/2030 OVERNIGHT STAY AT KOLKATA ALL DAYS OF THE WEEK AI 531 1140//1200 BG 91 0800//0810 BG 91 0950/1000 BG 91 0800//0810 IC 724 1550/1610 BG 93 1500/1510 BG 93 1500/1510 BG 93 1500/1510 BG 95 1830/1840 BG 95 1830/1840 BG 95 1830/1840 DPR KOREA VIA BANGKOK DEP TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 BG 85 2000/2115 BG 85 2000/2115 ARR TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 0900/1215 INDIA DIRECT VIA KOLKATA DEP BG 98 1400/1645 ARR BG 97 1100/1245 AI 520 0735//1025 AI 521 1645/1825 DEP BG 92 0850//1000 BG 92 1100/1210 BG 92 0850//1000 IC 723 1340/1500 AI 530 1410/1530 BG 94 1610//1720 BG 94 1610//1720 BG 94 1610//1720 BG 96 1920/2030 BG 96 1920/2030 BG 96 1920/2030 ARR AI 531 1140//1200 BG 91 0800//0810 BG 91 0950/1000 BG 91 0800//0810 IC 724 1550/1610 BG 93 1500/1510 BG 93 1500/1510 BG 93 1500/1510 BG 95 1830/1840 BG 95 1830/1840 BG 95 1830/1840 INDONESIA VIA BANGKOK DEP TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 BG 85 2000/2115 BG 85 2000/2115 ARR TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 0900/1215 10 General Information Booklet

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 BG 73 1645/1800 BG 85 2000/2115 BG 85 1540//1655 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 BG 72 2045/2359 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 1125//1440 IC 723 1340/1500 IC 723 1340/1500 AI 530 1410/1530 AI 530 1410/1530 BG 94 1610//1720 BG 94 1610//1725 BG 94 1610//1725 BG 94 1610//1725 BG 96 1920/2030 BG 96 1920/2030 AI 531 1140//1200 AI 531 1140//1200 BG 91 0950/1000 BG 91 0800//0810 BG 91 0950/1000 BG 91 0810/0820 IC 724 1550/1610 BG 93 1455//1510 BG 93 1500/1510 BG 93 1455//1510 BG 93 1455//1510 BG 95 1830/1840 BG 95 1830/1840 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 BG 73 1645/1800 BG 85 2000/2115 BG 85 1540//1655 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 BG 72 2045/2359 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 1125//1440 BG 98 1400/1645 AI 520 0735//1025 AI 520 0735//1025 BG 97 1100/1245 AI 521 1645/1825 AI 521 1645/1825 BG 92 1100/1210 BG 92 0850//1000 BG 92 1100/1210 BG 92 0900//1010 IC 723 1340/1500 IC 723 1340/1500 AI 530 1410/1530 AI 530 1410/1530 BG 94 1610//1720 BG 94 1610//1725 BG 94 1610//1725 BG 94 1610//1725 BG 96 1920/2030 BG 96 1920/2030 AI 531 1140//1200 AI 531 1140//1200 BG 91 0950/1000 BG 91 0800//0810 BG 91 0950/1000 BG 91 0810/0820 IC 724 1550/1610 BG 93 1455//1510 BG 93 1500/1510 BG 93 1455//1510 BG 93 1455//1510 BG 95 1830/1840 BG 95 1830/1840 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 BG 73 1645/1800 BG 85 2000/2115 BG 85 1540//1655 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 BG 72 2045/2359 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 1125//1440 24 th Meeting of Ministers of Health & 59 th Session of WHO Regional Committee 11

FROM DEP/ARR MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY MALDIVES VIA BANGKOK DEP TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 BG 85 2000/2115 BG 85 2000/2115 ARR TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 0900/1215 VIA DELHI DEP BG 98 1400/1645 ARR BG 97 1100/1245 AI 520 0735//1025 AI 521 1645/1825 MYANMAR VIA BANGKOK DEP TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 BG 85 2000/2115 BG 85 2000/2115 ARR TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 0900/1215 NEPAL DEP BG 702 1245//1415 BG 704 1540//1710 BG 704 1540//1710 ARR BG 701 1050//1200 BG 703 1330//1440 BG 703 1330//1440 SRI LANKA VIA BANGKOK DEP TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 BG 85 2000/2115 BG 85 2000/2115 ARR TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 0900/1215 VIA DELHI DEP BG 98 1400/1645 AI 520 0735//1025 ARR BG 97 1100/1245 AI 521 1645/1825 THAILAND DIRECT DEP TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 BG 85 2000/2115 BG 85 2000/2115 ARR TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 0900/1215 TIMOR-LESTE VIA BANGKOK DEP TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 BG 85 2000/2115 BG 85 2000/2115 ARR TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 0900/1215 12 General Information Booklet

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 BG 73 1645/1800 BG 85 2000/2115 BG 85 1540//1655 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 BG 72 2045/2359 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 1125//1440 BG 98 1400/1645 AI 520 0735//1025 AI 520 0735//1025 BG 97 1100/1245 AI 521 1645/1825 AI 521 1645/1825 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 BG 73 1645/1800 BG 85 2000/2115 BG 85 1540//1655 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 BG 72 2045/2359 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 1125//1440 BG 702 1345//1515 BG 704 1525//1655 BG 702 1245//1415 BG 702 1245//1415 BG 701 1150//1300 BG 703 1330//1440 BG 701 1050//1200 BG 701 1050//1200 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 BG 73 1645/1800 BG 85 2000/2115 BG 85 1540//1655 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 BG 72 2045/2359 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 1125//1440 BG 98 1400/1645 AI 520 0735//1025 AI 520 0735//1025 BG 97 1100/1245 AI 521 1645/1825 AI 521 1645/1825 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 BG 73 1645/1800 BG 85 2000/2115 BG 85 1540//1655 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 BG 72 2045/2359 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 1125//1440 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 TG 321 1030//1155 BG 73 1645/1800 BG 85 2000/2115 BG 85 1540//1655 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 TG 322 1310/1630 BG 72 2045/2359 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 0900/1215 BG 84 1125//1440 24 th Meeting of Ministers of Health & 59 th Session of WHO Regional Committee 13

Registration Form (Please answer all questions) Twenty-fourth Meeting of Health Ministers of the Countries of South-East Asia Region 20-21 August 2006 and the Fifty-ninth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia Region 22-25 August 2005 Dhaka, Bangladesh Dr Prof Mr Ms. Mrs Others Family Name: Other Name: Sex: Male Female Title/Designation (e.g. Minister of Health) (Please print how you wish your name to appear on the name badge) Address: (Please indicate complete address as this will be included in the List of Representatives) Date of birth: Nationality: My passport number: Date & Place of Issue: Date of Expiry: I shall be accompanied by: (Spouse / Friend / Others Name: Relationship Date of birth: Nationality: Passport Number: Date and Place of Issue: Date of Expiry: Are you attending HMM RCM BOTH Representative UN Agencies NGO/IGO Observer Telephone: Fax: E-mail: Expected Arrival Expected Departure Date: Date: Flight Number Flight Number Time: Time: Hotel Name Room type Deluxe Rates Include Sheraton Hotel SingleDouble US$ 117 ++US$ 133 ++ Breakfast Note: There are limited number of deluxe rooms and shall be allocated on a first-come first-serve basis. If deluxe rooms are no longer available, we shall book in the next higher category. Payments would be settled by you using Credit Card Cash Important note: Please return this form, duly completed, to the Administrative Services Officer, WHO/SEARO not later than 01 July 2006 to ensure your hotel reservation. Alternatively, you can register at our Website http://srvams1wse/rist/eregistration/ reg_hmm_rcm.html. Fax: 91-11-23379507 and Telephone 91-11-23370804. We encourage participants to register through our website.

Bangladesh Visa Application Form Please type or print your answers in the space provided below each item 1. Full name (first/middle/family name) 2. Place of birth (city, state/ country) 3. Date of birth (dd/mm/yy) 4. Nationality 5. Sex 6. Marital status married unmarried Staple 3 Passport Size Photographs male female divorcee widower 7. Profession 8. Type of visa 9. Passport number 10. Place of issue 11. Date of expiry 12. Spouse s name: Nationality: 13. Father s name: Nationality: 14. Mother s name Nationality: 15. Home address: 16.Telephone: 17. Fax: 18. E-mail: 19. Business/ work address: 20. Telephone: 21. Fax: 22. E-mail: 23. Name of employer 24. Telephone: 25. Fax: 26. E-mail: 27. Purpose of visit (tick appropriate box) Tourism (incl. tabling/ visiting relatives, etc.) Business/ investment Seminar/Conference/Govt. Delegation Cultural/scientific programme Missionary Ngo works Official Expert(s)/ worker(s)/ teacher(s)/ representative(s) in industrial/educational/trading org./ sports/artistic activities etc. Govt. contractual employment study/ research Employment in un/ international organizations Journalist/media (Print & Electronic) Others (specify) 28. Name and address of person(s), institution or company where you can be contacted 29. Address while in Bangladesh 30. Telephone 31. Place and probable date of arrival 32. Intended duration of stay 33. Have you ever been to Bangladesh 34. If yes, date and length of last visit Yes No Name and relationship of person(s) travelling with you 35. Declaration I declare that the above information is true and accurate Name Date Signature (dd/mm/yy) Please ensure that you have answered items 1 through 35 and signed the declaration incomplete forms will be returned.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY (Do not write in this space) Date: / / Visa No. Type: Single/Multiple/Transit Date of Issue Validity Authorized Duration Refused on Reviewed by Comments: (Name and Designation of the Issuing Authority with Seal)