Geography
The Seychelles Archipelago occupies 400,000sq km of the Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar and contains 115islands and islets.
These fall into two groups of markedly different appearance from their distinct geologies.
Granitic: 43 islands with granitic rock formation (including main island Mahe), with lush vegetation.
Coralline: they rise only a few metres above sea level but it is generally covered with rich and dense vegetation due to fertilization of copious guano (bird dropping).
Aldabra the largest atoll and is a UNESCO designated World heritage site due to its large population of giant land tortoises contain one third of all Seychelles land.
The largest island Mahe, lying 4 south of the equator is 27km long by 8km wide, where Victoria the capital and main port where 90% of the population are located.
The highest point is Seychelles is Morne Seychellois 905m or (2970ft).
The isolated nature of Seychelles has given rise to the evolution of many unique species of flora and fauna including the coco-de-mer palm and varieties of orchid, giant tortoise, gecko, chameleon and flying fox (fruit bat).
Meeting Venue
The meeting will be held at:
SAVOY HOTEL
Beau Vallon
Mahe
TEL: +248 439000
Transportation
The Seychelles International Airport is the main international airport of the main island Mahe and is located 9 kilometers north of the capital Victoria and 12 km from the venue taking approx. 30-40 minutes if there is low traffic).
Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways fly the Seychelles route via Johannesburg or Addis, Nairobi. Air Seychelles airlines offers services for Johannesburg connections. Transport will be provided on arrival and departure for all delegates. And from hotels to venue of meeting. (See Accommodation below).
Visa and Entry Information
Visa will be provided on arrival; however, we encourage you to send copy of passport to facilitate your visa on arrival. Apply as soon as possible to ensure your participation to the meeting.
Meeting Documents and the OzonAction Meeting Portal
The documentation for the meeting will be distributed via the OzonAction Meeting Portal (www.ozonactionmeetings.org). This online 24/7 web-based service supports (1) pre-session preparation including the circulation of logistics information, agendas, and meeting documents (2) in-session circulation of presentations delivered during the meeting, as well as revised/amended documents (3) post-session circulation of the meeting report/recommendations.
For more details, see the Frequently Asked Questions at http://www.ozonactionmeetings.org/content/frequently-asked-questions. The system is web-based; the only requirement is a laptop that has a wireless capability to connect to the wi-fi network at the conference venue and a browser (e.g., Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer) to access the system. No additional software is required. Access to this meeting is public, therefore you do not require a password.
Meal Arrangements
Coffee breaks
Tea and coffee breaks will be provided each day in the morning and in the afternoon. Tea, coffee and bottled water will be available throughout the day.
Lunches
Our host will kindly provide lunches each day of the meeting. Dinners Delegates are expected to make their own dinner arrangements.
Currency
The official currency is the Seychelles Rupee (SR). You can change money at a Bureau de change and in banks. Currency exchange rate January 2019:
1 USD = 13.50 SR
1 EUR = 15.40 SR
Bank/ATM
ATMs and banks are available in the airport and also widely available within the city.
Electricity
Seychelles operates on a three-square pin-plug (UK) (most commonly used) 220-240 Volts. Participants are advised to carry their own.
Local time and official working hours
Seychelles is 4 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) the common time standard across the world. Offices and business are open from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm.
Shops open during the week at 9.00 am and close at 5.00 pm, Monday to Saturday.
Safety
The suburbs around the meeting venue are generally safe. It is safe to walk alone at daylight - early morning to early evening up to 7.00 pm (but avoid wondering into nearby unlighted areas ) - thereafter it is better with to walk with a companion/small group. After 8.00 pm it is advisable to drive or hire locally available taxis.
Weather
The temperature is consistently 24-32°C, there is no distinct dry season and there is some humidity at all times.
Seychelles is hot and humid, (75-90%) with an average yearly temperature of 29°C, and average sea temperature rarely dropping below 27°C. However, refreshing sea breezes, especially by the beaches, usually mitigate the heat. The cooler season in Seychelles is during the southeast monsoon season (May to September) and the warmer season is during the northwest monsoon (November to March). April and October are "changeover months" between the two monsoons, when the wind is variable. The northwest monsoon season tends to be warmer with more rain, while the southeast monsoon season is usually drier and cooler.
Health
Seychelles is one of the few countries without malaria, yellow fever or cholera in Africa. Primary health care facilities are available throughout the country. However participants who are from or travelling through yellow fever countries are advised to bring their updated yellow fever card with them to be presented at the airport.
Facilities
To access government health services in Seychelles, non-citizens will be required to pay cash payment in advance. Please check that service providers in Seychelles will accept your travel insurance policy. Private hospitals and medical practitioners are also widely available.
Emergency numbers
Police 999
Ambulance 151
Fire Department 999
For any other emergency kindly, contact the National Ozone Office.
Drinking Water
Tap water throughout the country is safe to drink. Bottled mineral water is readily available in most shops and supermarkets, as well as lodges and hotels.
Contact
The Government of Seychelles -the host
Mr Wills Agricole
Principle Secretary
Dept of Energy & Climate Change
Ministry of Environment, Energy & Climate Change
Tel; +248 4670668
Email: w.agricole@env.gov.sc
Inese Chang-Waye
Senior Ozone Officer
Email: ichangwaye@hotmail.com
Tel: +248 2724391
Mrs Maureen Hoareau
Private Secretary
Email: m.hoareau@env.gov.sc
Tel: +248 4670568
UN Environment OzonAction - CAP Africa Office
Mr. Patrick Salifu,
Montreal Protocol Regional Coordinator
Africa Anglophone Network
Tel: +254207623956:
Email: Patrick.Salifu@un.org
We recommend participants to stay in the following hotel where special rates have been organized: Transport will be provided to and from Meeting
