THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF THE FORUM !!! YOUR STAY IN

1. Physical features

A Sahel country in the core center of West Africa, Mali shares borders with Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and , Niger, , and Algeria.

The climate is of the Sudano-Sahel type and is characterized by high mean temperatures and alternating wet rainy season and dry season of variable durations from South to North of the country. The annual rainfall depends on the monsoon regime and decreases from South to North from above 1200 to below 200 mm.

The mean temperatures range is 35° to 45° and the wind regime is dominated by the harmattan wind blowing from North-East to South-West.

The plant cover distribution is essentially based on climate variations.

2. Population and economy

Mali has an estimated population of 14.5 million. The population is relatively young (the under 15 years of age people account for about 49% of the population) and basically rural (nearly 70% live in the rural areas). Over the past few years, a rapid urban population growth has been noted due to rural to urban migration among other factors.

The economy of Mali essentially depends on agriculture, livestock and fisheries which occupy more than 80% of the active population and account for 45% of GDP, far ahead of the secondary sector (16% of the GDP) and the tertiary sector (39% of GDP). ranks third in exports after cotton and .

3. Policy and administration

Since the people’s upheaval in Mali in March 1991, Mali has opted for democracy and multi-partism.

The security situation is currently quiet, notably in the Southern part of the country. For the past several months, no attack has occurred in or any other city in the South. Security forces are vigilant around places attended by expatriates. Administrative buildings and strategic Government infrastructure are under surveillance. Reinforced night patrols are organized in Bamako and surrounding areas.

4. Travelling to Mali

Except for participants from ECOWAS member countries, entry in Mali is subject to the obtainment of a visa (see countries requiring visa in annex 1).

 The yellow fever vaccine is required at the borders of Mali. It is provided notably in all airports. The participants should have their immunization book.  Body temperature is systematically checked before entry into the country as part of Ebola virus prevention measures.

For the forum, transport of participants will be provided based on a pre-defined schedule from the hotel to the International Conference Center of Bamako (CICB) which is the venue of the forum, and back (see annex 2).

For transport needs other than for the forum, several transport means are available:

 Yellow taxis which price range from CFA F 1,000 to 2,000;  For visitors who are not familiar with the city, the safest way to move around is to ask the hotel reception to give you telephone numbers of identified taxi drivers.

The time in Mali is GMT 0h.

November is the coolest month in Mali. The temperature range during that month is the following

 21° in the morning  36° in mid-day  29° early evening.

The security of participants is guaranteed by the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection, notably in selected accommodation places (hotels) and at the Conference Center.

Mali is located in malaria –endemic zone. Therefore, it is recommended to all participants from Europe to take a preventive treatment before and after their visit.

 Report to the organizing team any health problem and /or known history of health problem.  First aid will be available at the venue of the forum. Contact person: [email protected] Phone number: 20 22 75 72/66 05 83 61

All through the Forum (02 to 05 November) participants are entitled to:

 Breakfast at their hotels (bed and breakfast)  Lunch at the forum venue.

The cost for dinner shall be paid by participants. See below some addresses of restaurants in italics:

 Restaurant “Le San Toro” at Hippodrome neighborhood (tel: 00223 91 31 00 00)  Restaurant “la vieille Marmite” at ACI 2000 (Tel: 00223 90 60 20 20)  Restaurant « Le Lagon » on the road to Koulikoro (kilomètre 9) Tel : 00223 20 23 38 95  Restaurant “Le Bafing” near ONOMO and MIRABEAU hotels (Tel: 00223 66 72 07 81  Restaurant “Le Guido’s” near the US Embassy (Italian food) Tel: 76 72 77 88 / 66 79 01 35

Mali is mostly a Muslim country and the main languages spoken are French (official language) and Bambara (local language). Some cultural places exist in Bamako

Cultural events

 French Institute of Bamako  Cultural site “Maya” located at Sebenicoro neighborhood  Dancing club “Le Jackson” locate at ACI 2000

Museums

 National Museum of Mali on the way to Koulouba  Mali National Park on the way to Koulouba  Bamako Museum, down town Bamako

Tourist sites

 The Arch of Kamandjan at Siby (45 km from Bamako, on the road to Guinea)  Sacred Hut of Kangaba (95 km from Bamako)

ANNEX 1

MEMO FOR THE VISA FOR THE FORUM IN MALI

Item Country Needs visa? Address of consulate /Embassy 1 Congo Yes 197 Rue Charles Faucault BP. 2067 Brazzaville Telephone: (+242) (0) 6 664 72 16 2 DRC Yes Mali consulate in DRC 2 Avenue de l’Aviation Quartier Bon Marché Barumbu - Kinshasa 3 Equatorial Guinea Yes Calle Rey Malabo Vivienda 16 Caydasa, Malabo Equatorial Guinea Tel: (+240) 09 07 42 ( +240) 09 69 94 Fax: (+240) 09 07 42 4 CAR Yes No consulate. Visa can be obtained upon arrival at the airport 5 Burundi Yes 9, Avenue Moso, Rohero II B.P. 1127 Bujumbura Tel: (+257)22 220 946 FAX: (+257) 22 225 521 6 Gabon Yes Batterie IV, not far from City Bank Libreville  TELEPHONE (+241)01.73.73.82  FAX (+241)01.73.82.80  EMAIL: [email protected] 7 Cameroon Yes

ANNEX 2

TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FORUM

Hotel Salam

Time Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 08:15 Hotel Salam to CICB Hotel Salam to Hotel Salam to Hotel Salam to 1 car on stand-by CICB CICB CICB for 12:30 Stand-by at CICB Stand-by at CICB Stand-by at CICB Stand-by at CICB DG’s and RD’s 14:00-18:30 1 car on stand-by appointment (see for DG’s outside DG’s and RD’s forum agenda) appointment (see DG’s outside forum agenda) 18:30 CICB to Salam Return flights of participants (see flights schedule) 20:00 -22:00 Stand-by at the Hotel Stand-by at the Stand-by at the Stand-by at the Hotel Hotel Hotel

Hotel Onomo and Hotel Mirabeau

Time Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 08:00 Hotel Onomo and Hotel Onomo and Hotel Onomo and Hotel Onomo and Mirabeau to CICB Mirabeau to CICB Mirabeau to CICB Mirabeau to CICB 08: 20 Hotel Onomo and Hotel Onomo and Hotel Onomo and Hotel Onomo and Mirabeau to CICB Mirabeau to CICB Mirabeau to CICB Mirabeau to CICB 12:30 Stand –by at CICB Return flights of participants (see flights schedule) 18:30 CICB to Hotel Onomo CICB to Hotel Onomo CICB to Hotel and Mirabeau and Mirabeau Onomo and Mirabeau 19:00 Hotel Onomo and CICB to Hotel Onomo CICB to Hotel Mirabeau to Salam and Mirabeau Onomo and Mirabeau 20:30 Hotel Salam to Hotel Onomo and Mirabeau