REFERENCE INFORMATION - EAMF 2009

The Eurasian Media Forum conference will be held in Almaty, the Republic of Kazakhstan - a country located at the very heart of Eurasia. Kazakhstan is the country where the values of ancient civilizations, cultural, economic, social and ideological ties connect the East and the West, bring together Europe and Asia. Almaty, the former capital of the Republic, now a major business and cultural centre of Kazakhstan, unfolds at the foothills of the Zaili Alatau Mountains and is a very beautiful city with extremely picturesque surroundings.

Eurasian Media Forum 2009 will last for two days, starting on Thursday, 23rd April and ending on Friday 24th April.

Delegates arriving early are recommended to register and obtain their badges and delegate bags on April 22 at the EAMF Registration Desk, next to the Ballroom entrance, to prevent delays on the Opening Day.

The EAMF Registration and Information Desk opening times are as follows:

April 22, 2009 from 13.00 to 20.00

April 23, 2009 from 08.00 to 09.30 (Registration); to 18.00 (Info Desk)

April 24, 2009 from 09.00 to 18.00

Please Note: The Conference Opening Ceremony starts at 10.00 am on April 23. Due to tight security procedures, please make sure to register as early as possible. Please bring your identity card. Access into the Ballroom on the Opening Day (April 23) will not be allowed after 9.30 am.

The working languages of the Eurasian Media Forum Conference will be English and Russian (simultaneous interpretation will be provided); a good command of at least one of the above languages is essential.

Eurasian Media Forum conference is intended to be interactive and therefore participants are encouraged to partake in the discussions in their own personal capacity. Participants are free to use the information received and heard, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s) may be revealed unless the express permission of the individual(s) concerned has been granted.

Organizing Committee will be providing visa support for delegates (if required), which will involve special processing work through the Kazakhstan Foreign Ministry. Therefore, for due assistance with visa applications accurate submission of all passport data requested in the Registration Form is important.

It is important that you provide the requested details as early as possible, since the processing and clearance of visa applications at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is time consuming. Passport data of delegates are processed at the Kazakh MFA in Almaty, which then authorizes the relevant Kazakh embassies to issue visas. As soon as we have your passport information cleared by the MFA, we will provide you with the special reference number to be quoted at the Embassy while applying for visa. You will also need the Official Letter of Invitation to apply for your visa (This is the invitation letter from the Chair of the Organizing Committee in your invitation package).

The nationals of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Monako, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Spain, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, UAE, USA, do not need visa support and can arrange theirs visas directly with the Embassies of the Republic of Kazakhstan in respective countries. Please note that for issuing visas at the Almaty airport it is required to arrange a visa support through the Organizing Committee irrespective of the country of citizenship.

EAMF delegates should cover their own air travel expenses.

AirlineS: Most of the major international airlines have regular flights to/from Almaty - Lufthansa, KLM, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, Uzbek Airlines, Transaero, Air Astana, Air Arabia, etc. Please check airline schedules for more details. Please note that flights to Almaty from Asian destinations are limited, therefore delegates are advised to make their travel arrangements as early as possible.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS/BUSES:

Buses will be available to drive participants to receptions and evening events according to the Conference programme. Delegates should arrange airport transfers with the hotel of stay on an individual basis.

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions or need assistance with your travel arrangements.

EAMF delegates should cover their own accommodation expenses.

EAMF delegates are offered a special conference rate at the InterContinental Almaty Hotel.

Please refer to the hotel Reservation form for more details. Please make your reservations with the hotel directly.

Please note: Due to the limited number of rooms available (due to the high business season in April) you are advised to make your reservation as early as possible.

Lunch for guests will be served on conference dates at the “Astana” and “Almaty” restaurants located on “C” floor of the InterContinental Almaty Hotel.

CURRENCY:

Kazakhstan’s national currency is the Tenge. Abbreviated as ‘KZT’, it is used everywhere. Please ensure that you exchange your currency only in the specialized bureaus, at local banks or at the Currency Exchange desks of the hotels (major currencies are USD and Euro). Major international credit cards are accepted at hotels, big shopping malls and restaurants.

Here are the exchange rates for major currencies (correct at time of print):

1 US Dollar = 150.00 KZT

1 EURO = 198.00 KZT

WEATHER:

Weather in Almaty in late April is generally warm and dry. Light rains may occur during the day. Temperatures may vary between +14 °C – +20 °C.

CLOTHING:

Dress code during working meetings is business casual.

The voltage in Almaty hotels is 220AC. Adaptors are available at the Hotel Reception Desk.

REST AND RELAXATION:

Almaty guests get a chance to enjoy a variety of activities and events; unique Kazakh heritage and diverse cultural traditions; spectacular natural views; sophisticated shopping; superb theatres, music halls and an opera house; numerous museums, sensational local and international cuisine, and dazzling nightlife!

Computers as well as printers and copy machines will be available for delegates’ use in the Conference Press Centre, The InterContinental Hotel, Mezzanine (M) Floor. There will be no charge for this service.

Emergencies:

Medical assistance:

International Asian Emergency Assistance Centre. 24-hour emergency assistance: 2 91-30-30

Other numbers:

ENQUIRIES:

For further information about the Forum or any other enquires and assistance, please contact EAMF Organising Committee at: