Information
for participants
The
Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Adoption and Signing of the Stockholm Convention
on Persistent Organic Pollutants
Stockholm,
Sweden, 21–23 May 2001
Dates/Venue
The Conference will take place on 22–23 May at the Stockholm City Conference Centre/Folkets Hus, Barnhusgatan 12-14, P O Box 70471, SE-107 26 Stockholm. Tel: +46-8-506 166 00, fax: +46-8-10 90 71. Folkets Hus is centrally located; approximately five minutes walk from the Central Railway Station. The preparatory meeting to the Conference will be held on 21 May at the same venue.
Registration
Registration will be open on Sunday, 20 May 2001, from 14.00 to 18.00 and throughout the meeting days from 9.00 to 18.00.
Transportation
from the Airport
A direct rail service, the Arlanda Express, operates between Arlanda Airport and the city centre. Trains leave every 15 minutes to the Central Railway Station. The fare is SEK 120 and the journey takes 20 minutes. There is also a bus service between the Airport and the City Terminal/Central Railway Station in Stockholm. Buses leave every 10 minutes and the journey takes approx. 40 minutes. The fare is SEK 60. If you intend to take a taxi from and to the Airport we recommend that you choose a taxi company offering a set price (e.g. Taxi Kurir). The trip into the city should cost no more than SEK 450.
Participants
requiring a visa for entry to Sweden are strongly advised to make their application in
their home country as soon as possible.
For information on countries requiring visas, see attachment
. It should be noted that Sweden is
scheduled to become a full member of Schengen Agreement as of March 25, 2001. This means
that Sweden will normally issue visas valid for all Schengen countries. It also means that
Sweden will recognise Schengen visas issued by another Schengen member. Diplomatic visas
are not included in the Schengen Agreement and will thus be issued in accordance with
national practice. Should you have any questions in this connection please do not hesitate
to contact your nearest Swedish Embassy or the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm,
Protocol Department or Department for Migration and Asylum Policy, telephone: + 46 8 405
10 00 e-mail: registrator@foreign.ministry.se.
For
addresses to Swedish missions abroad see: http://www.utrikes.regeringen.se/inenglish/missions/index.htm#Y
or call, Swedish Ministry of the Environment, Maria Åhs, telephone: +46 8 405 28 73.
Please note that if you will not be flying directly to Sweden you may need a transit visa
in some countries to be able to continue your journey.
As
a service to our participants, the local conference organiser, the Stockholm Convention
Bureau, StoCon, will arrange your hotel accommodation at no extra charge. As only a
certain number of rooms have been reserved at special rates, StoCon will operate on a
“first come first served” basis. Participants
are strongly advised to make their hotel reservation well in advance. In the event of
the preferred hotel being fully booked, StoCon reserves the right to book you in at an
alternative hotel. All hotels are situated within easy walking distance of Folkets Hus.
Bookings can be made through StoCon by completing the attached form and sending it by fax
on +46 8 54 65 15 99 or by e-mail to StoCon@StoCon.se. For further details
please see the attached accommodation request form, or phone +46 8 54 65 15
00.
Exhibition
facilities
Tables
and notice boards will be available for organisations wishing to display their materials
or hang posters. Please note that space will be limited and that these can be used by
prior arrangement only. Limited facilities will be available to show videos on a
VHS-system.
Internet
café
Two Internet café facilities will be available in the Conference centre.
Currency
The currency unit is the
Swedish Krona, 1 SEK = 100 öre. The exchange rate is approx. SEK 9.60 to US $1
(2001-02-07).
Banking /
Exchange facilities / Credit cards
There are two banks close to the Conference centre. Most banks are open weekdays, from 10.00 to 15.00. There are a number of currency exchange shops nearby, e.g. at the Central Railway Station, open daily from 08.00 to 21.00. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are available in the vicinity and operate 24 hours a day. Most hotels, restaurants and shops in Stockholm accept major credit cards.
Weather
May is late spring in Sweden with day temperatures between 15°C and 20°C. The temperature may drop to 5°C at night.
Time difference
In May, Sweden is on daylight saving time, which is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +2).
National
language
The national language in Sweden is Swedish. However English is widely spoken.
Travel Desk
/Tourist information
A
travel desk will be available at the venue during the Conference for general tourist
information and reconfirmation of flight bookings.
For
further information about Stockholm, please contact the Tourist Centre at Sverige
Huset/Sweden House, Hamngatan 27, Box 7542, SE-103 93 Stockholm, Tel: +46-8-789 24 00,
Fax: +46-8-789 24 50, internet www.stoinfo.se,
E-mail: info@stoinfo.se.
Catering
There is a restaurant and café in Folkets Hus and a number of cafés, restaurants and fast food outlets close by. Lunch prices vary between SEK 60 and 90.
Electricity
Current in Sweden is supplied at 220V and 50 Hz with 2-hole sockets.
Telephone
Credit card and telephone card operated telephones are available at Folkets Hus. They may be used for long-distance calls. Telephone cards can be purchased at the travel desk.
Medical Services
A nurse/first-aid station will be available at the Conference centre. Doctors and emergency medical facilities are within close range of the venue. The number for emergency services (fire department, ambulance and rescue services) is 112. There are pharmacists throughout the city area, open from 10:00 to 18:00. Some pharmacists are also open at night in case of emergencies and their addresses can be obtained from us on request. Our staff is at your disposal for more detailed information and they will be happy to assist you.
VAT (Value Added
Tax)
Currently
set at 25%, VAT is included in the price of all goods and services. Foreign visitors are
not exempt from paying VAT on purchased goods, but may claim back VAT paid on items taken
out of the country. The refund may be claimed at the airport of departure, where you will
be required to show a tax invoice, VAT refund control sheet, a foreign passport and the
items purchased.