Stop TB Partnership Coordinating Board

Berlin, Germany, 23-24 October 2007

NEW - Images from the meeting

NEW - Decision Points

Documents

Agenda

Draft Agenda

Practical Information

Welcome
Document List
Practical Information
Evaluation
List of Participants

Supporting Documents - by agenda item

Tuesday 23rd October 2007

1) Opening Session
2) Inaugural Session
3) Beyond the ministerial forum
4) Health System Strengthening
5) Advance Market Commitments
6) Lab

Wednesday 24th October 2007

7) Drug Procurement Bottlenecks
8) Work Plan Part I
9) Work Plan Part II
10) Evaluation
11) Partners
12) TB Research
13) Closing Session

Presentations - by agenda item

Click here to download all the presentations at once.

REGISTRATION

Please register your participation in the 13th Stop TB Coordinating Board Meeting by completing the attached registration form and returning it to Winnie Deguzman (deguzmanw@who.int) by 1 October 2007.

BERLIN

Located in North-East of the country, the German capital is situated at the heart of the European Union. With its unique historical legacy and cultural diversity, Berlin has evolved into a focal point for individuals attracted by liberal lifestyle, modern "Zeitgeist" and low cost of living. The second most populous city in the European Union is Germany's political hub. Berlin is recognized for festivals, contemporary architecture, nightlife and avant-garde arts.

A guided walking tour through Berlin's historic and political centre is planned for 25 October 2007 (four hours in the morning). Participants are expected to pay for themselves (EUR 22.00).

http://www.berlin.de/english/
http://www.berlin-tourist-information.de/index.en.php
http://wikitravel.org/en/Berlin

MEETING VENUE

KfW Bankengruppe
"Grosser Konferenzraum"
Charlottenstrasse 33/33a
10117 Berlin, Germany
Phone: +49 (0)30 20264 - 0
Fax: +49 (0)30 20264 - 5188

MOBILITY IMPAIRMENT

Please note that the meeting building is non-wheelchair adapted. In case of mobility impairment, please use the main entrance Charlottenstrasse 33 (not 33a) and mark this on your registration form so that required assistance can be organized.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

Berlin offers a large variety of hotels and hotel chains. Please book your own accommodation and note on the attached registration form which hotel you will be staying at. Let the hotel know any mobility restrictions so that an appropriate room can be allocated to you.

The key word "KfW Bankengruppe" allows for preferential rates (incl. taxes) at the following hotels:

• Hilton Berlin ***** http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/BERHITW-Hilton-Berlin/index.do
  Booking before 22 August 2007: single room EUR 179.00; double room EUR 199.00.
• Hotel NH **** http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/de/hotels/deutschland/berlin/nh-berlin-mitte.html
  Booking before 22 September 2007: single room EUR 105.00.
• Hotel Mercure *** http://www.mercure.com/mercure/fichehotel/de/mer/4988/fiche_hotel.shtml
  Booking before 03 September 2007: deluxe single room EUR 92.50; junior suite single EUR 102.50.

VISA

If required, please contact the German Embassy in your respective country to arrange for a valid visa prior to leaving to Berlin. If there is no German Embassy in your country, please contact the Embassy of another "Schengen" country (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden). In case you need any specific supporting documentation from the Stop TB Partnership for your visa application, please contact Winnie Deguzman (deguzmanw@who.int). Also let her know if you encounter any difficulties.

HOW TO REACH BERLIN

a) By plane:

• Tegel International Airport (ICAO: EDDT, IATA: TXL)
  
  Tegel, located in the North-West of the city, is the main airport for flag carriers (Lufthansa, BA, KLM, Air France, Delta etc) and hub for domestic flights as well as those from Western Europe and the USA.
  
  Taxis take approximately 18 minutes (EUR 15.00) to Berlin centre West and 25 minutes to the Eastern city centre (EUR 18.00). Alternatively, public transport and express busses vary between 30 an 45 minutes (each EUR 2.10). Attention: Do not take the train to "Tegel" as this is to a nearby village and is not connected to the airport.
  
  
• Schönefeld (ICAO: EDDB, IATA: SXF)
  
  This small airport South-East of the city centre is increasingly a focus for low-cost airlines and charter flights in addition to traffic from Asia and Eastern Europe.
  
  Taxis take approximately 35 minutes (EUR 23.00) to both, the Western and the Eastern city centre. Public transport cost EUR 2.10: Use S-Bahn "S9" (30 minutes to the Western centre, 20 minutes to the Eastern centre) or the less regular, but faster regional trains.
  
  
• Tempelhof (ICAO: EDDI, IATA: THF)
  
  Located immediately South of the city centre, Tempelhof is serviced only by a small number of connections mainly by domestic and European flights. Take U6 to Friedrichstrasse Station.
  
  Taxis take approximately 13 minutes (EUR 12.00) to both, the Western and the Eastern city centre. Also, public transport (EUR 2.10) allows to get to West Berlin within 15 minutes/East Berlin within 10 minutes.

a) By train:

From the main station (called "Hauptbahnhof" and "Lehrter Bahnhof") public transport (EUR 2.10) and taxis are available to reach your hotel and the meeting venue. The Deutsche Bahn (DB), Germany´s national railway, offers a comprehensive service to German and European destinations. Schedules can be found at: http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en

FLIGHT CONFIRMATION

Please ensure that the Stop TB Partnership Secretariat is aware of your arrival and departure details: Please insert flight date and flight time on your registration form. Also notify any changes to Winnie Deguzman (deguzmanw@who.int) as soon as they occur. Upon arrival in Berlin, hand over your airline ticket to the Stop TB Secretariat for re-confirmation of your return flights.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Most political and historical sites are situated within the public transport zones A and B. A single ticket for the zones A and B costs EUR 2.10. It is valid for two hours. Please stamp your ticket before boarding.

SAFETY

Germany is generally very safe. However, occasional pick-pocketing and petty crime occur, especially in tourist spots. Attention should be paid to luggage and documents when travelling, during the night and in busy places (such as railway stations). Also do not leave valuables unattended.

Racially-motivated violence is rare but the risk is higher in the outskirts of East Berlin. It is recommended for foreign tourists to be attentive in areas such as Lichtenberg, Hellersdorf and Marzahn in the evening and at night.

The police in Berlin are highly competent and generally helpful to tourists. Most officers are able to speak at least basic level English.

The national emergency number is 112 for medical emergencies and fires.
The police emergency number is 110.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

The exchange rate (July 2007) is: EUR 1.00 = US$ 1.36 / US$ 1.00 = EUR 0.73 (http://www.xe.com/ucc/).

Foreign currency may be exchanged at the airport or in Berlin. Banking facilities including ATM cash withdrawal service are widely available. Credit cards are commonly accepted in Germany, although not often used for everyday expenses.

The bill you receive at a hotel, restaurant, cafe or bar already includes a service charge. A tip is an indication of your satisfaction (5% is average, 10% indicates exceptional service, not tipping at all is unusual). Tip taxi drivers about 5% and porters and others who assist you with baggage one Euro per item.

COMMUNICATION

The telephone country code for Germany is +49. Berlin has 100% mobile phone coverage.
Web access will be available in your hotels and in the secretariat room at KFW (though not in the meeting room).

CLIMATE

Berlin can be cold during the autumn time. Temperatures in October range between 6-13°C (43-55°F). It is recommended to wear business attire inside the hotel and during meetings. Cultural dress is welcome. As rain is possible, you may wish to bring a coat and a travel umbrella.

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

The electrical current in Germany is 220 volts. Travellers are recommended to bring a standard plug adaptor for Europe.

MEDICAL ADVICE

Medical advice to tourists, business wo/men and diplomats is provided through Berlin Paramedic Services "call a doc". Please note that the phone number 01804 - 22 55 23 62 (each call costs EUR 0.24) only works from German landlines.

In case of medical emergencies please call 112.

SUPPORTERS

The 13th Stop TB Coordinating Board Meeting is kindly supported by KfW Bankengruppe.

MEETING ORGANIZATION

To assist you during your stay in Berlin a secretariat will be established in the KfW Bankengruppe building.

You will receive a background dossier upon arrival. Documents will be posted on the Stop TB Partnership web site approximately 10 to 14 days before the Coordinating Board Meeting.

For further information, please feel free to get in touch with the organizers. The team will happily assist you with your requests, wishes and needs.

WE WISH YOU A PRODUCTIVE AND HAPPY STAY IN BERLIN!