Information for Participants

11.1 Flight itineraries

It should be noted that, depending on the geographical region, there might be more than one major “air connection hub” between the point of departure and Brazil. To assist participants make their necessary travel arrangements, below are a few examples of possible air connection hubs for residents of:

• Africa: South Africa (Johannesburg) and major European capital cities;
• Asia/Pacific: Australia (Sydney), New Zealand (Wellington) and Japan (Tokyo);
• Caribbean/Central America: USA (Miami), Panama (Panama City) and Mexico (Mexico City).

11.2 Airports of entry into Brazil and connection flights to Curitiba

It should be noted that apart from some neighbouring countries, Curitiba is mostly serviced by domestic flights. Participants from other parts of the world will be arriving at Curitiba via the major Brazilian Cities of São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro.

It should also be noted that the City of São Paulo is serviced by one domestic airport “Congonhas” and one international airport “Guarulhos/Cumbica”, both connecting with Curitiba. Transfers from the domestic airport “Congonhas” to São Paulo international airport “Guarulhos/Cumbica” takes at least 45 minutes by bus or taxi, depending on the traffic. Bus fares currently stand at Brazilian Reals 24 (US$ 11). Taxi fares charge much higher fares i.e. 85R (approx. US$ 38). However, some airlines may offer free shuttle service. Please check with the airline or at the COP/MOP-3/COP-8 Help Desk, located within São Paulo international airport.

When making their bookings via São Paulo international airport, participants should ensure that they allow themselves at least two hours for transfer to the domestic Congonhas airport, as there might be flight delays.

11.3 Baggage clearance

Participants are kindly requested to attach clearly marked labels on their luggage reading “CBD COP/MOP-3 and/or COP-8 meeting”, in order to expedite their handling and customs clearance.

11.4 Flight duration from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to Curitiba

Direct flights from São Paulo to Curitiba take between 50 to 60 minutes and 2½ to 3 hours from Rio de Janeiro, including ground transfers, on flights with connections.

11.5 Transportation from Curitiba airport to the hotels

The City of Curitiba will provide special ground transportation, on commercial basis, from/to Curitiba airport and hotels from Saturday, 11 March through Sunday, 2 April 2006.

Buses will operate from 7 am to 11 pm at intervals ranging between 5 and 30 minutes and will be identified with COP/MOP-3 and COP-8 logos.

Participants who wish to avail themselves of this shuttle service must complete the “Travel Information Form” attached to this note as annex D. Duly completed forms must be forwarded to the designated person (see annex D) no later than Monday, 27 February 2006 for COP/MOP-3 and Monday, 6 March 2006 for COP-8. Bus shuttle service arrangements will be made based on the Information provided using Annex D.

Participants who do not provide the form within the above-mentioned deadlines will need to arrange transportation to/from the City of Curitiba using the regular means of transportation.

Taxis are readily available at Curitiba airport at a fare of about BRL 45 (approx. US$ 20) to the city centre, where most of the hotels are located. Deluxe taxis are also available at a fixed fare of BRL 90 (US$ 40). The journey takes about 30-40 minutes.

Participants may also use:

• The City Bus services operating 24 hours at 5-15 minutes intervals between 6 am and 12 pm and one hour interval between 12 am and 6 am. The journey takes about 30-40 minutes and fares are BRL 2 (approx. US$ 0,88) for a single ticket or;
• The Executive Service, which operates on 18 hour-schedule with a 40 minutes’ intervals between 6 am and 12 pm. A single ticket costs BRL 15 (approx. US$ 7).

11. 6 Help desks and dedicated customs counters

The Brazilian Government will set up at the international airports of São Paulo “Guarulhos/Cumbica”, Rio de Janeiro “Galeão/Antonio Carlos Jobim” and Curitiba “Afonso Pena” clearly marked Customs Counters dedicated for COP/MOP-3 and COP-8 participants.

Help Desks, staffed by multilingual attendants, will also be set up at these three international airports to assist participants with flight connections, hotel accommodation, bus shuttle stops or any query they may have. At these Help Desks, information kits containing maps, useful phrases in Portuguese, etc. will be distributed.

The Help Desks will be operational from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Saturday, 11 to Monday, 13 March 2006, for those attending COP/MOP-3 and from Friday, 17 to Monday, 20 March 2006, for those attending COP-8.

Signs will be displayed at Curitiba airport to guide participants.

The Brazilian Government has set up the following web site, in English, Portuguese and Spanish, to provide additional logistical information for the participants in MOP/COP-3 and COP-8 meetings: http://www.cdb.gov.br. Information on social events can also be found under this link.