|
|
 |
|
|
Regional Dialogue for Latin America and the Caribbean vis-à-vis the XII Ministerial Conference of UNCTAD Venue: Permanent Secretariat of SELA Torre Europa, 5th floor, Andres Bello Conference Room Caracas, Bolivarian Republic Venezuela
Caracas, 26 March 2008
Background | Objectives | Provisional Agenda Documentation | Organization | Sponsors Date and Venue | Contacts | Languages | Hotels Official Foreign Exchange Rate | Transport | Migration Information
The large number of issues that are included in what we currently define as international economic agenda; the proliferation of trade agreements and negotiations in which the Member States of SELA are participating, and their direct relation with the challenges and opportunities of globalization for development, are good reasons for the Permanent Secretariat of SELA to make contributions to the analysis of the strategies for international insertion of Latin American and Caribbean governments into the international economy in the current global context. In addition, the XII Session of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will be held from 20 to 25 April 2008 in Accra, the capital of Ghana, and its central topic will be “Globalization for Development: Opportunities and challenges”.
Additionally, in the conclusions of the regional meeting of experts on interaction between trade policies and trade agreements negotiations, and regional integration in Latin America and the Caribbean – held on 22 October 2007 – Member States recognized that SELA must serve as a regional forum for discussion and analysis of the most relevant aspects related to international insertion, development and regional integration, with the active participation of the population, academicians, and government officials and negotiators; as well as different processes of existing subregional integration. In this regard, SELA’s discussions on several key topics to be dealt with at the XII UNCTAD will reinforce the importance of this regional organization as a unique institution for Latin American and Caribbean consultation and coordination.
The official positions of the governments of the region with respect to complex issues related to current international economic relations are not homogenous. While there is regional consensus on certain areas, there are still differences among the Latin American and Caribbean governments and within the various subregional integration schemes about several aspects concerning international insertion, regional integration and the development strategies in the current international context.
As the agenda for the forthcoming XII UNCTAD is extensive; the discussions for this Latin American and Caribbean dialogue will be dealt with in only four areas:
Documentation and Presentations
Informe Final del Diálogo Regional de
América Latina y el Caribe
Conclusions and recommendations
SP/DRALC-XIICM-UNCTAD/DT N° 1/Rev.2
Base
document for the meeting:
Palabras de la Secretaria Permanente del
SELA, Embajadora Floria Caricote Lovera
América Latina y el Caribe en vísperas de la
XII Conferencia Ministerial de la UNCTAD
La integración regional: un
proyecto político estratégico
Permanent Secretariat of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA). Director of Integration and Cooperation Relations (http://www.sela.org)
Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF)
Headquarters of the Permanent Secretariat of SELA Av. Francisco de Miranda, Torre Europa, Fifth Floor, Andres Bello Conference Room Campo Alegre Caracas, Venezuela 26 March 2008
Permanent Secretariat of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) http://www.sela.org
Coordination at the Permanent Secretariat of SELA Dr. Antonio Romero, Director of Integration and Cooperation Relations - email: aromero@sela.org Patricia de Larrosa, Coordinating Secretary - email: plarrosa@sela.org Telephones: 58-212-9557121 / 9557115 / 9557111; Fax: (+58-212) 951.52.92 / 69.01
The official languages of this Regional Dialogue will be Spanish and English. There will be simultaneous interpretation.
With regard to hotel accommodation in Caracas, the Permanent Secretariat of SELA would be grateful if each participant chooses the hotel of his/her preference. In this connection, a list of recommended hotels for your security and proximity to SELA’s headquarters is provided: (List of Hotels). Please contact Mrs. Cora Romero, Travel and Arrangements Official of SELA (Telephones: (58-212) 9557111 and 9557124; Faxes: (58-212) 9516901 and 9515292; e-mail: cromero@sela.org) for hotel reservations arrangements.
Official Foreign Exchange Rate
The local currency redenomination process came into force on 1 January 2008, therefore, all amounts presented will be expressed in "Bolivares Fuertes" or "Strong Bolivars" which is equivalent to US$ 2.15 per dollar.
It should be highlighted that, as set out in the Official Gazette of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela No. 38.272, the “Law against Illegal Exchange” came into force on 14 October 2005.
The cost for the taxi service from the International Simón Bolívar Airport, Maiquetía, to Caracas and vice versa, is approximately Bs.F. 120,00 by way (equivalent to US$ 56.00 approximately), payable in national currency (Strong Bolivars).
There are buses, nevertheless it is recommended to hire the cabs attached to the Airport which are duly identified. Authorized cabs can be easily identified since their colours are black with yellow logotypes printed on the doors. They can be hired after leaving the building of the airport terminal.
Migration Information for Entering Venezuela
Except for special cases, currently, entry into Venezuela of all nationalities is allowed. Nevertheless, for security purposes, it is recommended that information on migration for entry into the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela should be consulted previously by contacting the Embassies of Venezuela in the countries of origin or downloading the Web site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.mre.gob.ve/metadot/index.pl?id=2871&isa=Category&op=show
|
