UPUUNION
POSTALEUNIVERSELLE
UPU
UNIVERSALPOSTALUNION
UNIVERSALPOSTALUNION
25e Congrès postal universel
24 septembre – 15 octobre 2012
Guideà l’intentiondes participants
25th Universal Postal Congress24 September – 15 October 2012
Guideforparticipants
1
Contents
A Access to the Congress site, registration, transport, security and first aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
B Credentials, proxies and other documents to be submitted to the secretariat by member countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
C Facilities at the Congress venue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
D General information and facilities outside the Congress venue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
A floor plan of the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), venue of the 25th UPU Congress, will be published separately from this guide.
A list of telephone numbers of the members of the International Bureau Congress Secretariat and other key support services will be published at the start of Congress.
Central information desk: +974 4470 7888
CONGRÈS-Note 15
3
A Access to the Congress site, registration, transport, security and first aid
Address Qatar National Convention Centre, Garafat Al Rayyan and Dukhan Highway, Doha, Education City, PO Box 34195, Doha, Qatar, T +974 4470 7000, F +974 4470 7001
Disabled access areas are available at the QNCC .
The QNCC is a smoke-free building . Smoking is permitted outside the building in allocated areas .
1 Registration services
The Congress registration services will issue delegates with their Congress badge upon presentation of the con-firmation of their preliminary registration .
Participants must allow at least one hour to register and collect their badges before the start of the first meeting .
a Registration hours
• Sunday,23September:10.00–20.00.
• Monday,24September:7.30–09.00and14.30–20.00.
• DuringCongress:8.30–18.30.
b Hours of access to QNCC
• StartingonTuesday,25September:8.00–18.30(SundaytoThursday).
• ClosedonFridaysandSaturdays.
• Sunday,23SeptemberandMonday,24September:openuntil20.00toallowforregis-tration .
c Registration and badges
• DelegateswillbeissuedwiththeirbadgeattheregistrationdeskintheQNCC.
• Delegateswhodidnotpre-registerwillbeabletoregisterattheQNCCuponpresentationof a passport or other official identity document, subject to the accreditation process .
• It isstronglyrecommendedthatalldelegateswishingtoparticipate intheopeningofCongress register and pick up their badge at the QNCC registration desk on 23 Septem-ber .
d Opening of Congress
• Theofficialopeningceremonywillstartat10.00on24September2012.
• Becauseoftheparticipationofhigh-levelgovernmentofficials,strictsecuritymeasureswill be in place, and access to the QNCC will be limited to the hours indicated .
• Allparticipantsintheopeningceremonymustarriveby9.00atthelatest.
• On-siteregistrationwillthereforestartearlier,at7.30.
• Transportationfromthehotelswillbeorganizedaccordingly.
• TheopeningceremonywillbefollowedbyalunchforalldelegateshostedbyQatar.Theopening plenary meeting will then commence at 14 .30 .
4
e Media accreditation and press registration
• Mediainterestedincoveringthe25thUniversalPostalCongressmustmeetthestandardUnitedNationsaccreditationprocedures.
• Nomemberofthemedia(print,onlineorradio/television)isallowedtoregisterasadel-egate or form part of a country delegation .
• Allmembersofthemediamuststrictlyfollowthespecialmediaaccreditationproceduresandsubmittheapplicationformavailableatthefollowinglink:http://dohacongress.upu .int/media/accreditation .
• Journalists,producers,andmembersoftelevisioncrews(e.g.cameramen,soundmenandengineers)accompanyingjournalistsandproducersmusteachcompleteanaccreditationrequest form .
• Allmembersofthemediaapplyingforaccreditationmustsubmitproofthattheyrep-resentabonafidemediaorganization.TheUPUCommunicationProgrammemustbesatisfied that the individuals applying for accreditation are bona fide media professionals andrepresentabonafidemediaorganization(formallyregisteredasamediaorganizationinacountryrecognizedbytheUnitedNationsGeneralAssembly).
• Accreditationwillbegivenonlyonproofofatrackrecordofreportingformediaorgani-zationson internationalaffairs.Mediaaccreditation isnotgranted to the informationoutletsofnon-governmentalorganizations.
• Formoreinformationaboutmediaaccreditationandregistration,contactRhéalLeBlanc(rheal .leblanc@upu .int,+41793459764).
f Visa applications
• AllUPUCongressparticipants,withtheexceptionofnationalsoftheGulfCooperationCouncil(GCC)countries,arerequiredtoapplyforaQatarivisainaccordancewiththeprocedures explained on the UPU website: http://dohacongress.upu.int/participation/visas/ .
g Other services available at the registration desk
• Distributionofwelcomebags;
• Photosandbadgeprinting,whererequired(lateregistration,lossofbadge,etc.);
• Lostproperty;
2 Transportation
a Organized transportation for Congress delegates
• Pick-up at the airport on arrival(delegatesmustprovidetheirflightandhoteldetailswhenapplyingforavisa).
• Daily shuttles between hotels and the QNCC will be available for delegates staying at thehotelsontheofficiallistpublishedbytheInternationalBureau(refertothetransportscheduleinthehotellobbyandinthisguide).
• Transportation to receptions outside the QNCC will be communicated on a day-by-day basis .
• Drop-off at the airport on departure (delegatesmustprovidetheirflightdetailsbycompletingthedepartureinformationforminthewelcomebag;aboxfortheseformswillbeplacedattheQNCCregistrationdesk).
5
b Private transportation
• Taxi service: A taxi service will be available at the QNCC during working hours . • Karwa Taxisaresafeandthedrivershelpful(tel:+97444588888).
c Car rentals
• Sixt Website:www .sixt .com Localtelephone:+97444324313 International:+491805232222
• Avis Website:www .avisqatar .com Localtelephone:+97444667744 International:+97455503923 E-mail:avis@qatar .net .qa
• Europcar Website:www .europcarqatar .com Localtelephone:+97444660677
3 Security arrangements
a Entry gates to the venue
• Gate 2 (Ground Level): Drop-off point for official shuttles and cars bearing stickers . Delegates who already have their badges will be dropped off at Gate 2 . Shuttles will then move to Gate 3 with the delegates who do not have badges .
• Gate 3 (Ground Level): Drop-off point for official shuttles and cars without stickers . Delegates who do not have badges will be dropped off at this gate to proceed to the registration desk to receive their badges . Shuttles carrying only delegates without badges will go directly to Gate 3 without stopping at Gate 2 .
b Security measures
• Walk-throughandhand-heldmetaldetectorsandX-rayscannerswillbeinplacetocheckpersonalbelongingsuponentrytotheQNCC(similartoairportsecuritychecks).
• Becauseofpossiblequeuesat thesecuritycontrol, it is recommendedtoarriveat theQNCCinadvancebeforethestartofthemeetings–allow at least 30 minutes to be on the safe side .
• Securityguardswill checkdelegates’badges–badges must be worn visibly at all times(ontheshuttlebusesandattheQNCC).
• Delegates’suitcasescannotbestoredattheQNCCastheX-rayscannersareonlyde-signedforbagsuptothesizeofnormalaircraftcarry-onbaggage.
• Thefollowingarticleswillnotbeallowedthroughthesecuritycontrol:itemswithblades,weapons, tools, martial arts or personal defence items, explosive or inflammable materi-als, chemical products, and other dangerous products .
• Anyitemsthatareconfiscatedwillbelabelledwiththeowner’sdetailsandcanbecol-lected on leaving the QNCC .
• TherewillbeapolicepresenceoutsidetheQNCC.
• ContactinformationforUPUSecurityExpert:+97444707888(from22September).
6
4 First aid and health services
a On-site medical service
• Anon-sitemedicalroomwillbeopenfrom8.00to18.30,SundaytoThursday(startingfrom23September);
Location:GroundFloor,QNCC Telephone:+97444707888
• Servicesprovided:Mildailmentsdealtwithonsite;transfertootherfacilitieswhereur-gentmedicalcareisrequired;callingofemergencyserviceswhennecessary;administer-ingofemergencyand/orpalliativemedicines.
b Medical treatment and hospitalization
• In caseswheremedical treatmentorhospitalization is required, appropriatehealthortravel insurance, or an international credit card with a sufficient credit limit, or an ad-equatecashguaranteewillberequired.AstheUPUcannotactasaguarantorwhentheindividual has insufficient cover, the diplomatic representation of the country in question will need to be contacted in such cases .
B. Credentials, proxies and other documents to be submitted by member countries
1 Credentials
Credentials must be deposited at the opening of Congress with the designated authority, namely, the secretariat oftheCredentialsCommittee(C1)(seearticle3.2oftheRulesofProcedureofCongresses).
a Practical information for credentials and proxies
• Signatureofcredentials:Delegates’credentialsmustbesignedbytheHeadofState,theHeadofGovernmentortheMinisterofForeignAffairsofthecountryconcerned(seear-ticle3.1oftheRulesofProcedureofCongresses).Credentialssignedbyanotherminister,orbyadeputyminister,arenotrecognized.
b Consequences of non-validation of credentials
• Delegateswhodonothavecredentials intheirpossessionorwhohavenotdepositedtheir credentials may, provided that their names have been communicated by their gov-ernmenttotheInternationalBureau,takepartinthedebatesandvotefromthemomentthey participate in the work of Congress . The same applies to those whose credentials are found not to be in order .
• SuchdelegatesshallceasetobeempoweredtovotefromthetimeCongressapprovesthelast report of the Credentials Committee establishing that their credentials have not been receivedorarenotinorder,untiltheirpositionisregularized.ThelastreportofC1mustbe approved by Congress before the elections, which will take place on the morning of 10October;thelastmeetingofC1willthereforebeheldon9 October, the deadline for depositing credentials (seearticle3.3of theRulesof ProcedureofCongresses, http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/acts/about-acts.html).
• The credentials of a member country which arranges for the delegation of another member countrytorepresentitatCongress(proxy)shallbeinthesameformasthoseofanycountrypresent .
7
• Credentialsandproxiessentbytelegramarenotadmissible.However,telegramssentinreply to requests for information relating to credentials are accepted .
• Model credentials and proxies are available on the UPU website: http://dohacongress.upu.int/participation/credentials-and-proxies/ .
c Voting
• SeeCongress–Note10(http://pls.upu.int/document/2012/an/cng_note/d010.pdf).
d Committee 1 (Credentials) secretariat
• LocationofC1secretariatattheQNCC:counteronLevel1.
• Openinghours: 23September:9.00to20.00 24September(firstmeetingofC1):8.00to17.30 25Septemberto14October:8.00to18.00
2 Foreign diplomatic representations in Qatar
• EmbassiesandconsulatesinQatar:http://english.mofa.gov.qa/index.cfm .
3 Choice of language of discussion
• Toenablethedistributionofthecostsofinterpretationservices,eachmembercountrymust inform the C 1 secretariat of the language it has chosen for Congress discussions bycompletingandsubmittingtheformannexedtoCongress–Note8(http://pls.upu.int/ document/2012/an/cng_note/d008.pdf).
• Theformmustbereturned,dulysigned,eithertotheC1secretariatortothereceptiondesk, no later than 15 October 2012 .
• Itmayalsobeforwardedasane-mailattachmenttoandreas .kerll@upu .int .
C. Facilities at the Congress venue
1 Plan of QNCC premises
• Aplanofthepremiseswillbeincludedinthewelcomebags.
• FloorplansofthepremiseswithdirectionsaredisplayedattheCongressvenue.
2 Allocation of seats in the Congress halls• Theseatingplansforthedelegationsinthetwomainhallswillbepreparedonthebasis
of the registrations received up to a specific deadline just prior to Congress . These plans will be available on site from 23 September .
• Inadditiontotheseatsassignedtoeachdelegation,anumberofunassignedseatswillbe available in the gallery of each hall .
8
3 Calendara The meeting timetable s available on the UPU website: http://dohacongress.upu.int/
congress/meetings-calendar/ .b The calendar of other events (receptions, excursions, etc.) is also available on the
UPUwebsiteunder“Receptionsandbreaks”:http://dohacongress.upu.int/participation/ practical-info/ .
4 Information desk
a Location Level1 Telephone:+97444707888
b Opening hoursFrom8.00to18.30,SundaytoThursday(9.00to20.00on23September).
c Services• Callingtaxis;• General informationaboutCongress, excluding informationonDoha,hotelsorother
touristservices,whichisavailableatthecountersonLevel1.
5 Storage lockers
Delegations will have the option of renting storage lockers at the QNCC .
a. Size of lockers
• 183cmhighx38cmwidex45.7cmdeep.
b. Location of lockers
• QNCCGroundLevelWest.
c. Distribution of keys
• Keyswillbeavailablefromthepostofficecounteronthegroundlevel.
d. Cost of lockers
• ThepriceperlockerforthedurationofCongressis300QAR.
• Paymentwillbeacceptedincashonlyatthepostofficecounter.
• KeysmustbereturnedtothepostofficecounterbeforetherenterleavestheQNCCforthe last time .
6 Documents
a Hard and soft copies of meeting documents
• Meetingdocumentswillbeavailableonaself-servicebasisinthedocumentationcentre(hard-copyversions)andinthedocumentdatabaseontheUPUwebsite(electronicver-sions,passwordrequired).
• Thedownloadingofdocumentsfromthedatabaseisnoweasierthanbefore:thedocu-ments for each languagehavebeengrouped together in zip files, bydocument type(Congress–Doc,Congress–Note,proposal,dispatchletter)andformat(Word,PDF).
9
b Login for documents in the UPU website document database
• Usernameandpassword:upudelegate(validuntiltheendofCongress).
c Self-service documentation centre
• Documentswillbedividedaccordingtolanguage,andthenbydocumenttype(proposal,report,Congress–Doc,Congress–Note,etc.).
• Themost recentdocuments, i.e. thoseadded since thebeginningof theday,will bemarked with a red label .
• Documentsbeingdiscussedinmeetingsonthecurrentdaywillbemarkedwithagreenlabel .
• Inaddition,asummarylistwillshowthemostrecentdocumentsforeachlanguage.
d Reference documentation
• Alimitedstockofreferencedocumentationwillbeavailableforconsultationbydelegatesat the documentation centre .
• Documentsmaybeborrowedifanidentitydocumentisleftasadeposit.
• Alternatively,referencedocumentscanbecopiedtoaUSBmemorystick.
e Location of documentation centre and detailsExhibition Hall 2, ground level Hours:8.00to18.30Telephone:+97444707888
7 Computers
a Self-service computers• Fifty PCswith Internet access,MicrosoftOffice softwareandprinting facilitieswill be
available in public areas .
b Location of self-service computers
Delegateworkarea/documentationcentreinExhibitionHall2,GroundLevel.
c Opening hours
• From8.00to18.30,SundaytoThursday.
• Theself-serviceareawillbeclosedatothertimesforsecurityreasons.
• Technicalassistancewillbeavailableonsitefrom8.00to18.30,SundaytoThursday.
• Telephoneforassistance:+97444707888.
8 Wireless access (Wi-Fi)
• Wi-FiisavailablethroughouttheQNCCbuilding,includinginthemeetinghalls.
• Name(SSID):UPUCONGRESS .
• Nopasswordrequired
• Technicalassistance:+97444707888(8.00to18.30,SundaytoThursday).
10
9 Photocopying, fax and telephone services
a Business centre • AbusinesscentreforusebydelegatesisavailableattheQNCC.
• Thecentreoffersphotocopying,faxandtelephoneservices.
• Businesscentreservicesmaybechargedfor.
b Location of business centre
• Level1,mainfoyer
• Telephone:+97444707155
• Hours:8.00to18.30
c Mobile phones, equipment and technical assistance
• QatarTelecom(Qtel)willhaveakioskattheQNCC,wheredelegatescanbuyandreloadpre-paid cards .
• Location:GroundLevel
• Hours:8.00to18.30
10 Postal services
Qatar Post will operate a post office counter at the QNCC, offering a range of services .
a Location
• GroundLevel
• Telephone:+97444707836
• Hours:8.00to18.30
b Services available at the post office
• EMS,registeredandparcelservices;
• Saleofpostagestampsandmobilepre-paid(Hala)cards;
• Outgoingmail:returnofworkingdocumentstohomecountryusing“postalservice”bags;
• Handingoutofkeysforpigeonholes;
• Handingoutofkeysforstoragelockers.
c Free postage offered by Qatar Post on the following terms
• Eachdelegatewill receive a voucher inhis/herwelcomebag,giving thepossibility ofsending back free of charge one shipment up to 20 kg .
• Bagsmaybeprepared(materialsavailable)onthegroundlevelbehindthepostofficecounters and must be handed over at the counter .
• Otheritemsorservices(registered,etc.)willbechargedtothedelegate.
d Incoming mail
• Onepigeonholeperdelegationwillbeavailableforitemsaddressedtomembersofthedelegation(“postalservice”bagsdeliveredbyarrangement).
• LocationatQNCC:GroundLevel.
• Keystopigeonholesavailablefromthepostofficecounter.
• Advanceinformationonexpectedbags:pigeonholeservice,tel:+97444707836.
• Uponarrivalof“postal service”bagsat theofficeofexchange,anotificationwill beplaced inthedelegation’spigeonhole.Thedelegationwillbeaskedtocontact thepi-geonholeservice(tel:+97444707836)toarrangeadeliverydateandtime.
• Bagsmaybestoredforshortperiods(maximum24hours)behindthepostofficecounter.
• Procedurefordistributionandcollectionofsouvenirs:seesection12.
11
11 Banking and money exchange service
• Anumberofautomatictellermachines(ATMs)areavailableonsite.
12 Gifts and souvenirs
a Counter for collection of souvenirs • Aspecialcounterwillbeavailableforthecollectionofsouvenirsofferedbydelegations,
onpresentationofvouchersdeliveredtopigeonholes(owingtothesizeofthepigeon-holes,theycannotbeusedforthedeliveryofsouvenirs).
• Delegationswishingtooffersouvenirsareaskedtocontactthepostofficecounteronthegroundlevel(whichcansupplypersonalizedvouchersforallCongressparticipantsanddistributethemtothepigeonholes).
• Thesouvenirsinquestionshouldbehandedovertotheservicebeforethevouchersaredistributed to the pigeonholes .
• Delegationsshouldindicatetothepigeonholeservicewhethersurplus itemsaretobereturned to the delegation .
b Location of counter
• GroundLevelEast
• Openinghours:8.00to18.30
13 Information materials from member countries
a Pigeonholes are exclusively reserved for:
• OfficialcommunicationsfromtheCongressSecretariat;
• Invitations;
• Vouchersforsouvenirs/gifts.
b Promotion of candidates for elections
• Thedistributionofanypromotionalmaterials(brochures,flyers,philatelicitems,statements/declarations,etc.)frommembercountries,includingmaterialspromotingcandidatesfortheelectionsoftheDirectorGeneral,DeputyDirectorGeneralandUPUbodies(CouncilofAd-ministration,PostalOperationsCouncilandConsultativeCommittee,andtheirchairmen)isstrictlyprohibitedinsidethemeetinghalls.Iffound,anysuchmaterialwillberemovedanddestroyed .
• Thedistributionofmaterialandthedisplayofbanners,photos,posters,andaudio/videoor electronic messages aimed at promoting candidates for the elections will be allowed only at the venues of events and receptions hosted by the candidates .
• TheuseoftheUPUlogobycandidatesfortheelectionsofDirectorGeneral,DeputyDi-rectorGeneralandthepermanentbodiesoftheUPUisstrictlyprohibitedbytheCodeoftheEmblem,NameandInitialsoftheUPU.
c Reserved area for member country information
• Areservedarea(“Membercountryinformation”)willbeprovided,wheremembercoun-tries and designated operators can display information about postal-related activities and services . However, material that promotes candidates for the elections will also be strictly prohibited in this reserved area .
• Nomembercountryinformationwillbeallowedinthemeetinghalls.Iffound,anysuchinformation will be removed and destroyed .
• To displaymaterial in the reserved area, delegations should contact the InternationalBureausecretariat(andreas .kerll@upu .int or rheal .leblanc@upu .int).
12
14 Halls for restricted meetings
a Capacity and location
• Fivesmallerhalls(U-shaped)withacapacityrangingbetween26and40seatsareavail-able for rent at the QNCC on an hourly basis .
• ThesehallsarelocatedonLevel1(rooms101,102,104,105and106).
b Equipment and services
• ThesehallsareallequippedwithLCDscreens.
c Rental and payment
• TherentalratesformeetingroomsandadditionalservicesareavailableontheUPUweb-site:http://dohacongress.upu.int/participation/practical-info/ .
• Furtherinquiriesshouldbeaddressedtopr@doha25congress .com .qa . Alternatively, you maycontacttheinformationdeskduringCongress(tel:+94744707888).
15 Offices and work areas
• Alimitednumberofofficesareavailableforrent.
• Therentalratesforofficespace,furnitureandequipmentareavailableontheUPUweb-site:http://dohacongress.upu.int/participation/practical-info/ .
• Furtherinquiriesshouldbeaddressedtopr@doha25congress .com .qa . Alternatively, you maycontacttheinformationdeskduringCongress(tel:+94744707888).
16 Food and drink
a Coffee service
• Coffeeservicewillbeprovidedfreeofchargeduringmeetingbreaksoutsidethemainmeeting halls .
• Thereareopportunities formembercountries tohostcoffeebreaks.See thecalendarforavailabledatesandcontactdetailsontheUPUwebsite:http://dohacongress.upu.int/ participation/practical-info/ .
b Restaurants
• Thereisaself-servicerestaurantonthegroundlevel,ExhibitionHall6. It isopenfrom11.45to14.30(possibleextensionuntil15.00,ifrequired).
• TherestaurantonLevel1,servinghotandcoldsnacksanddrinks,isopenfrom8.00to18.00.
• Methodsofpaymentaccepted:cash(QAR)andcreditcards.
• For informationabout reservations in theself-service restaurantorcateringservices inmeetinghalls,contactJyothiJoseph(+97430277038, jyjoseph@qatarconvention .com).
c Receptions
• ThecalendarofreceptionsisavailableontheUPUwebsite:http://dohacongress.upu.int/participation/practical-info/ .
• Toreserveadateonthecalendar,contactDanielLeGoff,UPU(daniel .legoff@upu .int).
• TobookareceptionattheQNCC,contactTrevorMcCartney,QNCC(+97444707050,tmccartney@qatarconvention .com).
• TobookareceptioninanothervenueoutsidetheQNCC,contactJulieAtkinson,QMDI(+97444548000,+9746608-9742(mobile),julie .atkinson@qmdi .qf .org .qa).
13
17 Prayer room MaleandfemaleprayerroomsareavailableattheQNCConthegroundlevelandLevel1.
18 Travel service
Qatar Airways is operating a customer service counter on the ground level of the QNCC .
• Openinghours:8.00to18.30.
• Website:www .qatarairways .com .qa .
19 Photography service
a Photos for official use• Thesecretariatwillengageprofessionalphotographersforitsownneeds(picturesforthe
media,theUPUwebsite,UPUpublications,etc.).• Aselectionofphotosofofficialevents(openingandclosingofCongress,plenarysessions
andotherimportanthappenings)willbepublishedwiththeCongressnewsontheUPUwebsite .
• Thisservicewillnotbeavailabletomembercountriesordelegates.
b Photo needs of member countries
• Toaccommodatetheneedsofmembercountriesanddelegates,aphotographyservicewill be available at the QNCC . Delegations that would like to have photos taken during restricted meetings, bilateral meetings and receptions can make use of this service, at their own expense .
• Thephotoservicecounterislocatedonthegroundlevel.
• Contact:MrAbdullahHassan, Proscreen (tel: +97433770260; e-mail:abdullah@the proscreen .com).
D. General information and facilities outside the Congress venue
1 Banking and foreign exchange
• The official currency is theQatari riyal (QAR),which is divided into 100 dirham. The exchangeratehasbeenfixedat1USD=3.64QAR.Qataririyalnotesinthefollowingdenominationsareincirculation:1,5,10,50,100and500.
• Mostmajor international credit cards arewidely accepted (e.g. Visa,MasterCard andAmericanExpress).
• Qatarhasmorethan100bankbranches,andtherearehundredsofATMsacross thecountry.MostvisitorstoQatarcanaccessfundsintheirhomeaccountsbyusingtheirbankcardsattheATMs.
• Bankhours:7.30to13.30,SundaytoThursday;somebranchesareopenalldayinsideshopping centres .
14
2 Health and safety
Comparedwithothercitiesofsimilarsizeintheworld,theincidenceofcrimeinDoharemainslow.TheGovern-ment of Qatar maintains a high police profile, with large numbers of police and plain-clothed officers on the street . Although street crime is rare, it does take place . Assaults are rare . Certain sensible precautions should betaken:
• AvoiddisplayingCongressbadgesprominentlyawayfromtheQNCC;
• Carryidentification(passport)atalltimes;
• Befamiliarwithrouteswhenmovingtoandfromlocations;
• FollowthedirectionsoftheQataripoliceandobeylocaltrafficlaws;
• Avoidunfamiliarareasoftownwhenalone.
3 Emergency numbers
• Police:999(Policestation:AlRayyan,Doha)
• Trafficpolice:999
• Fire:999
• Ambulance:999
4 Hospitals
• HamadMedicalCorporation OffAlRayyanRoad(OppositeLuluCentre) Doha, Qatar Tel:+97444394444 Emergency:999
• AlAhliHospital Ahmed Bin Ali Street Doha, Qatar Tel:+97444898888 E-mail:info@ahlihospital .com
5 Electricity and telecommunication
• Electricity: Thevoltageis220–240voltswithafrequencyof50Hertz.Britishstandardplugs are used .
• Country dialling code: The country code for Qatar is 974 .
• Mobile telephony: QatarTelecom(Qtel)andVodafonearethetwomobilephoneserviceproviders in Qatar . They both offer international direct dialling to most countries . Travel-ers with international roaming may connect via these service providers for calls and text messages.PrepaidSIMcardsareavailableatallQtelandVodafoneservicecentres,shopsandauthorizeddealers.Simplyshowacopyofyourpassportandcompletetheregistra-tion form .
• Internet: MosthotelsofferInternetconnections.QtelHotspotscanalsobeaccessedatselectedlocationsthroughprepaidHotspotcards.LocationsincludeSouqWaqif,varioushotels, cafes and the Diplomatic Club . Access cards, valid for one year, can be purchased atHotspotlocationsandcostfrom30–70QAR.
• Wireless Internet access (iParks): Wi-Fi is available free of charge at many coffee shops andinpublicparks,includingDoha’sSheratonPark,AlRumailaParkandDahlAlHamamPark .
15
6 Time, weather and clothing
• Local time and working hours: Qatar local time is three hours ahead of Greenwich MeanTime(GMT),withnodaylightsavingsadjustments.TheworkingweekinQatarrunsfromSundaytoThursday,withFridayandSaturdayasdaysoff.Governmentministries’working hours are from 7 .00 to 14 .00, Sunday to Thursday .
• Climate: Qatar benefits from year-round sunshine, with temperatures ranging from 25ºC (74ºF)upto45ºC(113ºF)insummer.ThebestmonthstoenjoyQatar’spleasantweatherarebetweenOctoberandMay.DuringSeptemberandOctober,temperatureswillrangebetween30ºCand40ºConaverage.Mostbuildingsandvehiclesareairconditioned,including the Congress venue, and it is advisable to always have a light jacket on hand .
• Clothing:Menandwomenshoulddressmodestly.Swimsuitsandbeachwearareac-ceptable at hotel pools and beaches, but it is not appropriate to expose the body in other public areas . Tops and shirts should cover the shoulders and upper arms, and skirts or shorts should fall to or below the knee . Women are not obliged to cover their hair .
7 Shopping
• Dohahasvariousshoppingareas,thelargestofwhichareLandmarkMall,CityCentreMall,TheMall,RoyalPlaza,HyattPlaza,LagoonaMallandSouqWaqif.
• Businesshoursofshopsvarybutaregenerallyfrom8.30to12.30andfrom16.00to21 .00, although shopping malls tend to be open all day between the hours of 10 .00 and 22 .00 . Some shops do not open at all on Fridays, while others open for a few hours early inthemorningandre-openinthelateafternoon.Mostshoppingmallsandlargecentresopen only around 16 .00 on Fridays .
8 Cuisine and restaurants
• Qatarprovidesadiversecollectionofinternationalcuisinesandthechancetotrysomeexciting Arabic food . Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, the Arab world displays the influence of all three regions in the number and variety of dishes in its traditional cuisine .
• Formoreinformation,visit:www.qatartourism.gov.qa/plan/index/1/185 .
9 Recreation and excursions
• Withthesunshiningeverydayandasurprisinglyrichecology,Qataroffersanengagingnatural environment to explore . The surrounding desert provides a great deal of interest andadventurewithsuchnaturallandmarksastheDhalAlMisfir,DesertRosesandtheSingingSandDunes.Morethan25%oftheQatariterritoryislistedasanaturalreserve.
• Dohaishometomanylargegrassyareasandparks,offeringfunandrelaxationforfami-lies,walkersandjoggers.Doha’sfamous8km-longCornicheoffersapanoramicviewofthecapital.Linedwithpalmtrees,thispromenadeislovelyatnight,whenthelightsofDoha’sskylinearereflectedacrossDohaBay.Severalhotels,governmentministriesandtheEmir’sworkingpalacearelocatedalongtheroute.Oppositethepalace,traditionalwooden boats are moored in the fishing harbour . Also accessed from the Corniche are theMuseumofIslamicArt,SouqWaqif,AlRumeilaParkandtheQatarNationalTheatre.
• FormoreinformationonwhatDohaandQatarhavetooffer,visit: http://www.qatartourism.gov.qa/ .
• SealineBeachResort:http://merweb-hotel.com/index.php?option=com_content&view= article&id=24&Itemid=14 .
16
10 Places of worship
• Mosques are generally formen, but there is a section for women inmost of them.MosquesintheareaincludetheStatemosque(neartheTVroundabout),theAlWakramosque(inAlWakracity)andAbubakermosque(nexttoAlSharqVillage).
• ForinformationonCatholicchurches,visitwww .rosarychurchqatar .com .