English Information Bulletin No.1 RC64

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WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean
Sixty-fourth session, Islamabad, Pakistan
9–12 October 2017
Information bulletin 1
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Introduction
Provinces
Pakistan has four provinces. Two autonomous regions and a federally administered area, namely,
Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, and Federally
Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan.
Population
Pakistan is the sixth most populous country with a population exceeding 200 million people. It is the
36th largest country in the world covering an area of 796 096 square kilometers.
Bordering neighbours
Pakistan has a 1046 km long coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and
is bordered by India to the east, Afghanistan to the west, Islamic Republic of Iran to the south west
and China in the far north east, respectively. It is separated from Tajikistan by Afghanistan’s narrow
Wakhan Corridor in the north, and also shares a maritime border with Oman.
Landscape
Pakistan encompasses a rich diversity of landscapes, starting in the north west, from the soaring
Pamirs and the Karakoram Range through a maze of mountain ranges, a complex of valleys, and
inhospitable plateaus, down to the remarkably even surface of the fertile Indus River plain, which
drains southward into the Arabian Sea. It contains a section of the ancient Silk Road and the Khyber
Pass, the famous passageway that has brought outside influences into the otherwise isolated
subcontinent. Lofty peaks such as K2 and Nanga Parbat, in the Pakistani-administered region of
Kashmir, present a challenging lure to mountain climbers. Along the Indus River, the artery of the
country, the ancient site of Mohenjo-daro marks one of the cradles of civilization.
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Economy
Pakistan is an agricultural country. Its major exports include agricultural products like cotton, sugar,
rice and textiles.
Language
Urdu is Pakistan’s national language with English as the official language. Regional languages
include Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi, Saraiki, Balti and Shina.
Culture
Pakistan’s cultural heritage is very rich as it has inherited the rich cultures of thousands of years old
Indus and Ghandara civilizations.
Location
Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan located within the federal Islamabad capital territory. With a
population of around two million, it is one of the most beautiful capital cities of the world. The city is
the political seat of Pakistan and is administered by the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation,
supported by the Capital Development Authority.
Serving as the capital of Pakistan since the 1960s, Islamabad was built according to a carefully
organized plan, divided into sectors along a grid of clean, tree-lined streets. The city is sheltered by
the Margalla Hills, the foothills of the Himalayas and the home of rare species of leopard, deer, birds,
and even porcupines. Several hiking paths end at Daman-e-Koh and Pir Sohawa. There are picnic
spots with a splendid view of the entire city, including the massive modernist Faisal Mosque and the
Rawal Lake.
Things to do: sightseeing and shopping
Faisal Mosque Margalla Hills PirSohawa Daman-e-Koh
Pakistan Monument
Museum
LokVirsa Museum Pakistan Railways
Heritage Museum
Pakistan Museum of
Natural History
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The venue of the sixty-fourth session of the WHO Regional Committee is the Serena Hotel. This hotel
is located on Khayaban-e-Suhrawardy, Islamabad; around 16 km from the airport (30 minutes by car).
Date and location The Sixty-fourth session of the Regional Committee for the
Eastern Mediterranean is scheduled to take place in the Serena
Hotel, Islamabad, Pakistan from Monday 9 October to Thursday
12 October 2017, inclusive.
Address
Khayaban-e-Suhrwardy, Opposite Convention Centre,
Islamabad 44000,
Pakistan
Tel : (+92) 51 287 4000
Fax : (+92) 51 287 1092
www.serenahotels.com
On 9 October 2017, at 09.00, the pre-RC technical meetings will
take place in (Sheesh Mahal ballroom), followed by the
inaugural session of the Regional Committee, in the same hall, at
19:00.
Registration for
participation
The registration form for participation in the Sixty-fourth session
of the Regional Committee is attached as Annex A. Each
participant should complete the form and return it to the WHO
Secretariat not later than 31 August 2017.
Rawal Lake Lake View Park SAFA Gold Mall Centauraus
Shopping Mall
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Membership and
attendance
The Regional Committee shall consist of representatives, one
from each country of WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region. The
representatives may be accompanied by alternates and advisers
(Rule 1 of the Rules of Procedure).
The Regional Director, in consultation with the Regional
Committee, may invite States, not members of the Committee, to
participate without vote in the sessions of the Committee. The
Regional Director, in consultation with the Regional Committee,
may also invite nongovernmental organizations to participate in
the deliberations of the Committee (Rule 2 of the Rules of
Procedure).
Credentials Member States shall communicate to the Regional Director, not
less than 15 days before the date fixed for the opening of the
session of the Committee, the name of their representatives,
including all alternates and advisers. Similarly organizations and
States invited to be represented at the session shall communicate
the names of the persons by whom they will be represented. The
credentials of representatives and names of alternates, advisers
and observers shall be submitted to the Regional Director if
possible not less than two days before the opening of the session
of the Regional Committee. Such credentials shall be issued by
the Head of State, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of
Health or any other appropriate authority (Rule 3 of the Rules of
Procedure).
Working languages The working languages of the Committee are Arabic, English and
French. Statements made in any of these languages will be
interpreted simultaneously into the other two languages.
Agenda and other
documents
Official documentation of the session will be available in Arabic,
English and French on the Regional Committee website
[http://www.emro.who.int/about-who/rc64/index.html] from early
September 2017. Documents will not be dispatched by post.
Furthermore, participants are kindly requested to bring all
documents to the session, as only a limited number of hard copies
will be available.
Submissions by
delegations
It would be appreciated if delegations wishing to propose draft
resolutions to be distributed to the Regional Committee could
hand them in to the Secretariat at least 2 days before the proposal
is discussed, to allow time for translation, reproduction in the
working languages and circulation to delegations.
Travel arrangements Delegates/participants should make their own travel arrangements
for both outward and return journeys. Travellers are strongly
advised to have their return flights confirmed before departing for
Pakistan, as onward reservations and deviations may be difficult
to obtain at short notice. The Secretariat will provide assistance
with travel arrangements during the session, if needed.
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Arrival in Islamabad Upon arrival at Islamabad Airport, transport to the hotel will be
made available provided participants have supplied their travel
details on time. In order to facilitate the process, please return
Annex A, completed with flight details and transportation
requirements.
The journey time by car from the airport to the hotel is around
30 minutes.
Entry visa to Islamabad Representatives and other participants should obtain a visa for
Pakistan prior to departure from their home countries.
Privileges and
immunities
All Members officially attending the Regional Committee in
Islamabad, Pakistan, as well as their alternates and advisers, will
enjoy the privileges and immunities granted to representatives at
meetings convened by UN specialized agencies, which are set out
in the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the
Specialized Agencies.
Health requirements on
arrival/departure
Participants coming from some African countries require the
yellow fever certificate.
Insurance The Secretariat cannot accept liability for personal accidents or
loss of or damage to the private property of participants and
accompanying persons, either during or indirectly arising from
attendance at the Sixty-fourth session of the Regional Committee
for the Eastern Mediterranean. Participants should make their own
arrangements with respect to health and travel insurance.
Accommodation Hotel accommodation has been arranged at the Serena Hotel.
Hotel rates are included in the booking request form (Annex A).
Participants should complete the form and return it to the WHO
Secretariat not later than 31 August 2017.
Hotel bookings will be arranged as and when requests are received
and participants will be advised by return about action taken. It is
important that requests for hotel accommodation are complete,
with the exact duration of stay and number of room bookings to be
made, as well as whether each room or suite should be for single
or double occupancy.
Please note that the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern
Mediterranean cannot guarantee accommodation and rates for
requests received after 31 August 2017.
Representatives and other participants are responsible for settling
hotel bills directly with the hotel. A credit card is required to
secure reservations.
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Cancellation Policy: In event of cancellation/amendment or
reduction after guarantee/confirmation of the booking, guests will
be charged as follows:
• 100% of the room charges for the entire duration of stay
will apply for cancellation of the reservation if less than 30
days before the check-in date of 7 October, 2017.
All guaranteed guest rooms, which are not cancelled as per
the timeframe mentioned above, or a no show situation,
are subject to charges. Charges equivalent to the entire
duration of stay for the agreed room rate will be imposed
for no-show guests. Rooms for subsequent nights will be
released for general sale.
Transportation Transportation will be provided on arrival and departure and for
any official functions which are held away from the hotel, noting
that transportation will only be made available to and from the
venue of the Regional Committee, namely the Serena Hotel.
Banking facilities The current exchange rate is PAK 105 to US$ 1 which is subject
to change should there be a revision in rates. Foreign currency can
be exchanged at the hotel or at any bank in Islamabad or
authorized dealers. The hotel bank is open 24 hours. Major credit
cards are accepted in most establishments.
Climate In October the weather is expected to be hot during the day and
warm in the evening. Temperatures during this time of the year
range between a maximum of 30 ºC and a minimum of 15 ºC.
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Annex A
REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR
THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN
Sixty-fourth Session
Islamabad, Pakistan, 9-12 October 2017
REGISTRATION FORM
Please fill in the appropriate details and choices for accommodation and transportation and e-mail
to emrgoasu@who.int. The form should be received by WHO by 31 August 2017 at the latest. Kindly note that
another email with the same information should be sent directly to the hotel at: reservation.ish@serena.com
with a copy to ali.zeb@serena.com.pk with the credit card details in order to secure the booking.
E-mail subject: RC64 Islamabad/Pakistan – Request for Room reservation
1. Personal data
Name: Nationality:
Title:
Representing Country/Organization:
Phone: E-mail:
2. Hotel booking at Serena Hotel
Please select your preferred accommodation from the listed room categories. Rates are inclusive of 16%
service charge. Rooms and suites are on bed and breakfast basis.
Type of room Type of Room (as per
Serena Specifications)
Special Rate (USD)
inclusive of 16% tax
(Bed & Breakfast)
Special Rate (PKR)
PAK Rupees @
1 USD = 105 PKR *
Your Selection
Single Standard Deluxe (Single Standard) 255.20 26,796
Twin/Double room Deluxe (Twin/Double) 295.80 31,059
Deluxe room Executive Club Room 278.40 29,232
Executive Suite (1
bedroom suite)
Junior Suite 382.80 40,194
Diplomatic Suite Executive Suite 580 60,900
Above rates are per room per night on bed and breakfast basis, Credit card is required to secure the booking
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3. Transport
If you are flying from/to Islamabad International Airport and would like transport to the hotel on arrival and/or
to the airport on departure, please indicate your flight details:
Transport needed on arrival Transport needed on departure
Date Date
Flight no. Flight no.
Time Time
4. Assistance with visa
Should you need an invitation letter to obtain an entry visa to Pakistan,
please check the box and attach a clear copy of your passport