May 2019 FO:APFC/2019/INF.1 E ASIA-PACIFIC FORESTRY COMMISSION TWENTY-EIGHTH SESSION Incheon, Republic of Korea, 17 - 21 June 2019 INFORMATION NOTE Forests for peace and well-being VENUE AND DATES 1. At the kind invitation of the Government of Republic of Korea, the 28th Session of the Asia- Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC) will be convened as an integral part of Asia-Pacific Forestry Week 2019, in Incheon, Republic of Korea, 17-21 June 2019. 2. The formal APFC Session will be convened on Monday, 17 June 2019, and the session is scheduled to close in the afternoon of Friday, 21 June 2019. The opening ceremony for Asia-Pacific Forestry Week will commence at 0900 hours on Tuesday, 18 June 2019. Field trips will be organized on Thursday, 20 June 2019. 3. The Commission session will be held at the following venue: Songdo ConvensiA 123 Central Street, Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea Tel No: +82 (32) 210-1114 Fax No: +82 (32) 210-1005 Website: http://www.songdoconvensia.com/ ENROLMENT AND INFORMATION 4. Participants are requested to complete the online pre-registration form on the APFW2019 website: http://www.apfw2019korea.kr/ 5. Registration will take place in the Songdo ConvensiA (APFC meeting venue) on Sunday 16 June 2019, from 1500 to 1800 hours. Late registration will be possible at the same location from 0730 – 0830 hours on Monday, 17 June 2019. This document is printed in limited numbers to minimize the environmental impact of FAO's processes and contribute to climate neutrality. Delegates and observers are kindly requested to bring their copies to meetings and to avoid asking for additional copies. Most FAO meeting documents are available on the Internet at www.fao.org 2 FO:APFC/2019/INF.1 DOCUMENTATION 6. Documentation will be provided in English. APFC documents will be available online several weeks before the event at: http://www.fao.org/forestry/82939/en/. Delegates are invited to bring the documents to the session, as only a limited number of additional copies will be made available at the venue. GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE 7. Incheon is located in the northwest of Republic of Korea, bordering Seoul and Gyeonggi province. Incheon is Republic of Korea’s third most populous city, with a population of approximately three million people. Incheon is a coastal city, whose port and proximity to Seoul have provided keys to economic success. It is highly accessible to the Asia-Pacific region, flights to Incheon from key airline hubs in Asia including Beijing, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore and New Delhi take between two and seven hours. 8. Incheon’s climate is typical of most of Republic of Korea and is classified as a humid subtropical or humid continental climate. Incheon experiences four distinct seasons, with notable increases and decreases in temperature and humidity. In June (summer), the temperature is likely to be in the range of 17-26oC (63-78oF). Average precipitation in Incheon in June is 112 mm, with average relative humidity approximately 75 percent. Participants should anticipate warm, mild temperatures with some prospects for rain. CURRENCY 9. The Korean Won (KRW) is the official currency of Republic of Korea. The exchange rate is approximately 1 US Dollar = 1 170 KRW. 10. Bank notes currently in circulation are in denominations of 1 000, 2 000, 5 000, 10 000, 50 000 KRW as well as coins of 10, 50, 100, 500 KRW. Major credit cards are widely accepted in Republic of Korea. FORMALITIES FOR ENTRY INTO REPUBLIC OF KOREA 11. Passports should be valid for at least six months from the time that the visa is to be issued and the time of planned departure from Republic of Korea. 12. Delegates are requested to check with the Republic of Korea diplomatic or consular mission at their points of origin whether they are required to obtain an entry visa to Republic of Korea in advance. For official visits with official passports, visa application procedures are often required depending on delegates’ nationalities. Please visit https://www.visa.go.kr/ to view visa requirements for passport holders of various nationalities and instructions for applying for visas. Delegates should ensure sufficient time for processing of visa applications. ARRIVAL DETAILS AND TRANSPORTATION 13. APFC delegates travelling to Incheon by air may arrive at either of the two international airports in the Seoul Capital Area namely: Incheon International Airport (ICN) or Gimpo International Airport (GMP). Public metered-taxis are readily available at the taxi stand outside the terminals at both airports, with the KAL limousine buses and subway offering an alternative means of transport. Further information on transportation options in Incheon and approximate costs are available at: http://www.apfw2019korea.kr/about/trans.asp FO:APFC/2019/INF.1 3 ACCOMMODATION 14. Special conference rates are available for APFC delegates at hotels listed on the APFW 2019 website as the following: Hotel options Room type KRW/night (single occupancy) 1. Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel Deluxe 189,970 2. Oakwood Premier Incheon Studio Superior 205,700 3. Orakai Songdo Park Hotel Deluxe 148,500 4. The Central Park Hotel Songdo Deluxe 125,000 5. Hotel Skypark Incheon Songdo Standard (Twin only) 110,000 6. Holiday Inn Incheon Standard 125,000 7. Ramada Songdo (204) Superior 91,000 15. Delegates can book accommodation at these hotels by using the Hotel Reservation Form available at the following webpage: http://apfw2019korea.kr/about/accom.asp . Please follow the instructions provided on the form. If participants register themselves with a listed hotel independently (i.e. without using the Hotel Reservation Form) please mention your APFC/APFW2019 participation to hotel staff when arranging the accommodation. A variety of alternative hotels in Incheon are also readily accessible to the conference venue. FIELD TRIPS 16. Field trips are being organized on Thursday, 20 June 2019. This will be an excellent opportunity to visit and discuss some of the interesting features of Republic of Korea forests and forestry. Delegates planning to join the excursions are requested to bring suitable clothing, including a raincoat and comfortable walking shoes. 17. Five thematic field trips are being offered as part of Asia-Pacific Forestry Week. Participants should indicate whether they plan to attend a field trip and select their preferred field trip when they register online for APFW 2019. A brief description of the field trips is available on the APFW2019 website at: http://apfw2019korea.kr/parti/trip.asp. EXHIBITS AND PUBLICATIONS 18. APFC delegates and APFW participants are invited to bring posters, publications, reports, including materials describing their successful forestry projects and programs. Areas will be available for displaying exhibits, posters and other materials. Please consult the APFW 2019 website for further information on poster dimensions and content. Information is available at: http://apfw2019korea.kr/parti/poster.asp. If participating organizations plan to have and exhibition booth, please also seek further information from the APFW2019 website. Information on the costs, space dimensions and application process are available at: http://apfw2019korea.kr/parti/booth.asp ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 19. Please refer to the APFW2019 website established by the Korea Forest Service http://www.apfw2019korea.kr/ for further information and updates on the session, hotel bookings, and travel logistics. For specific queries, and individual concerns, contact the APFC Secretary ([email protected]) or his assistant ([email protected]). .