UR West and Central Africa Logistics Note

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About the event

Event: UR West and Central Africa
Dates: November 20 – 22, 2019
City: Abidjan
Country: Ivory Coast
Address: Latrille Events, Cocody, Abidjan North,
in the district of 2 Plateaux Vallon (Boulevard Latrille – Carrefour Duncan – BP 792 Abidjan 28)
Infoline: +225 42 32 97 48

About Abidjan

Abidjan, the welcoming city
Abidjan is the economic capital of Ivory Coast and Yamoussoukro its administrative and political capital. Abidjan is also the most populous city in French-speaking West Africa and the third largest city in the French-speaking world. Considered as the cultural hub of West Africa, Abidjan is experiencing strong growth characterized by strong industrialization and rampant urbanization. The country uses the metric system for distances (km) and units of degrees Celsius (ºC) for temperature.

For more information, see also:
https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/cotedivoire/overview
http://www.tourisme.gouv.ci/accueil/sitetourdetail/les-lieux-touristiques-de-la-cote-d-ivoire775

Languages
In Ivory Coast, the official language is French. However, the country has more than 60 local dialects that are spoken daily and are grouped into four (4) major ethnic group
• Mandé: in the North-West (Malinkés, Dan, Gouro …)
• Voltaïques: in the North-East (Sénoufo, Lobi, Koulango…)
• Krou: in the South-West (Bété, Guéré, Dida…)
• Akan: in the South-East (Baoulé, Agni, Abron, Attié…)

Electricity
In Ivory Coast the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. You can use your electric appliances in Ivory Coast, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 – 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa). Manufacturers take these small deviations into account. If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100 V – 127 V (as is in the US, Canada and most South American countries), you need a voltage converter in Ivory Coast. You can also consider a combined power plug adapter/voltage converter.

If the frequency in Ivory Coast (50 Hz) differs from the one in your country, it is not advised to use your appliances. But if there is no voltage difference, you could (at your own risk) try to use the appliance for a short time. Be especially careful with moving, rotating and time related appliances like clocks, shavers and electric fan heaters.

To be sure, check the label on the appliance. Some appliances never need a converter. If the label states ‘INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz’ the appliance can be used in all countries in the world. This is common for chargers of tablets/laptops, photo cameras, cell phones, toothbrushes, etc.

Measurement units
Ivory Coast uses the metric system for distances (km) and degrees Celsius (ºC) for temperature.

Climate
Ivory Coast is the transition zone between the equatorial humid climate and the dry tropical climate. Thus, the country can be divided into two main areas: the south and the north. In general, the temperatures are high (around 30°C). Precipitation is more abundant on the coast, ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 millimeters per year, while in inland areas it is generally less intense and ranges from 1,200 to 1,500 millimeters, although sometimes 000 mm in the small western mountain area

Please also refer to:
http://www.sodexam.com/?product_cat=prevision-de-la-meteorologie-nationale
http://www.tv5monde.com/cms/chaine-francophone/meteo/p-176-lg3-Abidjan.htm?&id_ville=1501&forcelg=1&no_reload=1

Currencies
Ivory Coast’s currency is the CFA Franc, which has fixed parity with the Euro since January 1, 1999. The parity rate for the Euro and the CFA Franc is: 1 Euro = 655,96 FCFA. The parity rate for the USD and the CFA Franc is: 1 USD = 588,01

The most frequently traded currencies are:
• American Dollar USD
• Euro
• Swiss Franc CHF
• British Pound GBP
• Japanese Yen JPY

The prices of these currencies fluctuate and are even different from one exchange office to another. The full exchange rate recorded at Félix Houphouët Boigny airport in Abidjan is available via the following link:
https://www.aeroport-abidjan.com/en/index_en.php
List of available and approved exchange offices:
https://www.tresor.gouv.ci/d/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/liste_des_bureaux_de_change_ouverts.pdf

Means of payment
The most common form of payment in Côte d’Ivoire, as in many African countries, is the payment in cash. The use of credit cards is limited to large hotels, some supermarkets and shops. Checks are accepted in some supermarkets, but remain a means of payment at the discretion of merchants.

Travelers checks are mostly denominated in euros or US dollars and the most common are American Express and Thomas Cook. However, travelers’ checks are mostly accepted only in major banking institutions (Société Générale, BICICI, UBA, ATLANTIC BANK, etc.).

Tipping is quite common especially for small services (parking, restaurant services, etc.), thus it is recommendable to carry the average sum of 500 FCFA with you.

ATM’s
ATMs are present everywhere in Ivory Coast and precisely in banks and financial institutions. These ATM’s are monitored and secured. Each bank charges a different rate to withdraw money on a foreign card.

Getting FCFA before you arrive
When you land in Abidjan, you should have some cash on hand to buy a bottle of water, a snack or perhaps to pay a taxi, especially if using a debit or credit card is not an option.

Arrival in Abidjan

Visa procedures
Ivory Coast requires certain countries to obtain a visa prior to entering the country. To find out if you need a visa, please visit the website of the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs. UR Western and Central Africa 2019 will provide a visa support letter to you stating that you have registered for the event, however, UR cannot make any guarantees of entry into Ivory Coast nor can it help you in applying for or obtaining a visa.

Ivory Coast has instituted for several years the requirement to obtain a biometric visa for travelers wishing to visit the country. Please refer to the official website https://snedai.com/e-visa/ to learn about obtaining the e-visa. This is the official visa issuing site. No other website and no other way of obtaining the e-visa is allowed.

Health Information on Yellow Fever and Dengue Fever
Ivory Coast requires proof of Yellow Fever vaccination for entry, so please make sure that you have a valid vaccination certificate. The link below provides further detail on health and security recommendations, and restrictions by Ivorian Customs Bureau:
https://ivory-coast.visahq.com/customs/
For information about Dengue Fever please consult the following link:
https://www.iamat.org/country/c-te-d-ivoire/risk/dengue

Authorized taxis from the airport
Authorized taxis provide a comfortable service that allows you to discover the beautiful landscape of the city from the airport to your destination at a negotiable cost. Taxis operate 24 hours a day and every day.

Emergency numbers
You can access the emergency services of Abidjan at the following numbers:
• Police: 110, 111,170
• Emergency: 185
• Firefighters: 180
• National Defense: 199

Communication
To make a phone call, follow these steps:
• To make an easy phone call in Ivory Coast, you need to have one of the SIM cards of the 3 different mobile telephony operators (Orange CI, MTN CI, Moov CI) by dialing +225 (the code) + the number of phone. It is also possible to keep the original SIM card and communicate in roaming but it can be quite expensive according to the operators. Check roaming charges with your service provider for calls from your cell phone.
• To call a local cell phone number, dial +225 (the area code) + the number (8 digits)
• To call a mobile phone in a state other than the Republic, dial country code + number

Internet access
There will be free WiFi throughout the meeting venue.

Recommendations for your security
You shouldn’t run into any problems in Abidjan if you follow these recommendations:
• Avoid ostentation: do not carry jewelry or shiny accessories when you go on the street.
• Keep an eye on your wallet at all times, especially in high traffic areas.
• If you are carrying a bag, be sure to close it while walking and keep it close to you in a suitable place.
• Keep important documents and valuables in your hotel safe.
• Only carry the money you need for the day’s expenses and a credit card. You can get money at any ATM in the city of Abidjan.
• During the day, bring with you an official ID.
• Avoid solitary, dark places.
• In general, but especially in public places, avoid commenting on political and electoral issues.
• Identify the evacuation routes in all the visited venues, but especially at your hotel.
• If you are caught in a potentially violent situation such as public demonstrations, immediately seek shelter in upscale hotels (Sofitel, Novotel, Pullman, Radisson Blu, Azalai, Ibis Hotel, Wafou, etc.) or large public buildings such as libraries, theaters, hospitals or museums.
• Use credit and debit cards only in recognized institutions.
• Ask for a receipt, if possible, of each purchase.

Venue

Latrille Events is a beautiful green space dedicated to the organization of important events in the heart of the city of Abidjan.
http://demo.wilfriedcoffiea.net/com_tic_espace_latrille_events/index.php
The space is located in the town of Cocody in Abidjan North, in the district of 2 Plateaux Vallon (Boulevard Latrille – Carrefour Duncan – BP 792 Abidjan 28. Tel: +225 22 52 50 18.

See also: http://demo.wilfriedcoffiea.net/com_tic_espace_latrille_events/index.php

Registration info
Important notice: You will be required to go through a metal detector calibrated to detect weapons.
Please have your photo ID and registration confirmation email to access the event.

Working Language
The working language of the meeting will be French and English. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided. Attendees will receive a personal earphone set every morning at the registration desk that will work in all conference rooms.

Meals
Lunch will be offered November 20, 21 and 22 at the Venue

Contact persons
UR West and Central Africa Organizing Team urwcafrica@understandrisk.org
Tamilwai Johannes Kolowa Tamilwai Johannes Kolowa
Isabelle Forge iforge@worldbank.org
Yves Barthélemy ybarthelemy@worldbank.org