Welcome Message from the President of IFNGO, and, concurrently, of OFAP,
Chair of the Regional Consultation Macau Host Committee.

Nuno Maria Roque Jorge, arch...

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It is a great honor for us to host the "Beyond 2008 NGO Forum: Regional Consultation of South East Asia, East Asia and the Pacific", in Macau, October 29th to November 2nd, and a great privilege and pleasure to welcome you this our city.
IFNGO (International Federation of Non Government Organization for the Prevention of Drug and Substance Abuse is, well accredited internationally, with working relations with UNESCO, ILO, WHO, and in formal affiliation with ASEAN and we actively participate in the relevant sessions at the UN (New York) as well as at UNODC (Vienna). Similarly, OFAP (the Organization of the Families of Asia and the Pacific) is well aware of the threat of drugs to "Wholesome Families"; indeed, with this concern, it is participating now in the formation of the new Abu Dhabi World Family Forum as a member of the International Committee.
It is thus very gratifying for us that we all gather here at the end of this month to cooperate with UNGASS (United Nations Special General Assembly Special Session) 2008 with the Beyond 2008 consultation program.
I engage you all to address our common goal with clear frame of mind, audacity, and innovation, so as to respond to the challenges we face. The three UN Conventions no longer contemplate fully the current situation in this rapidly changing World: UNGASS is a timely response; however, we have on our shoulders a responsibility to help make it a success.
We hope that during the consultation process you may also develop fellowship and cooperation with the other participants, as well as finding sometime to know better and enjoy Macau a junction of East and West, but, nowadays, a daring meet of history and tradition with the most advanced modernity.
I take this opportunity to attach some information about this event, about Macau and your travel here. And if there is anything that we may do to make your stay a better one, please let us know.
With wishes for a productive meeting, let me also express our best wishes for a safe journey.

WELCOME!

EVENT INFORMATION:

Local Hosts: The Presidency of IFNGO and OFAP

Contacts:Mr. Nuno M. R. Jorge, Chair
e-mail:
Mobile +853 668 29 054

Mr. Augusto Nogueira, Vice-Chair
e-mail:
Mobile +853 668 51 770
HOT LINE:(as from Oct. 28th till Nov. 2nd):
+853 662 354 54
Head Office :Av. do Coronel Mesquita, 2H, Macau, Macau SAR
Date :October 31 (Day 1) to November 1 inclusive (Day 2), 2007, with Arrivals (Day 0) October 30, Departures (Day 3) November 2; Pre-arrivals (Lead NGOs and Organizers) October 29
Hotel:The Venetian Macao – Resort – Hotel Estrada da Baia de N. Senhora da Esperanca, s/n,The Cotai Strip, Taipa Island, MacaU SAR, P.R.China
Telephone:+853 2882 8888 (General Enquiries)
+853 2882 8800 (Sales Dept. of Conventions and Exhibitions)
Fax:+853 2882 8880 (Sales Dept. of Conventions and Exhibitions)
E-mail: (General Enquiries)
Web Page: http://www.venetianmacao.com
Location of meeting: at the hotel conference Centre, Naples Rooms, 808 through 814.

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SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR ARRIVAL:

If you land at Hong Kong International Airport, you may consider travel by the TurboJET Sea Express Ferry ( http://www.turbojetseaexpress.com) to Macau without having to go through Hong Kong Immigration. Current schedules are 10H50, 14H00, 15H30, 19H00, 22H00, and do check-in at the Turbojet Sea Express counter (next to E-1 transfer area of the HKG Airport) at least one hour before departure, with your luggage receipts.
Should your flight be incompatible with the Turbojet Sea Express' schedule, you will have to go through Hong Kong Immigration, in order to board a high-speed ferry, available in town, just steps from Central Hong Kong (recommended) or the one from Kowloon. Departures are every 15 to 30 minutes and travel time is just 55 minutes. However, immigration and customs formalities are, again, necessary.
Once you disembark at the Macau Ferry Terminal: you may take The Venetian hotel shuttle bus to the hotel. This shuttle operates from 10am to midnight daily.
Naturally, the preferred and most convenient way to arrive in Macau is landing at the Macau International Airport. There will be also frequent Venetian Hotel shuttles buses.
Either way, we shall be waiting for you, with our heartiest welcome. Bon Voyage!

INFORMATION on MACAU:

Location

Macau world heritage site is located at the entrance of the Pearl River Delta, 90 miles (144 Kilometres) southeast of Guangzhou and 40 miles (64 kilometres) southwest of Hong Kong. It covers a total area of 27.5 square kilometres, consisting of a mainland peninsula and two islands, Taipa and Coloane, linked by three modern bridges and a causeway. The territory is connected to mainland China at the Barrier Gate, the existing crossing point located at the northern part of the city. A new border between the reclamation areas of Coloane and Taipa has been opened, greatly improving the flow of goods and people between Macau and the Mainland.

Population and Language

Macau 's population stands at 469.8 thousand, of which over 96% are Chinese speaking, 2% Portuguese speakers. English is Macau's third language and is generally used in trade, tourism and commerce.

Political Background

In 1987 the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration on the future of Macau was signed by the People's Republic of China and the Portuguese Government. According to its provisions, China resumed sovereignty over Macau on December 20th, 1999. As a Special Administrative Region of China, Macau enjoys a high degree of autonomy.

Macau retains its political, economic and social system for 50 years, with its own executive, legislative and judicial authorities, at the same time continuing to enjoy all the advantages of free port status as a separate customs territory.

The Chinese government has affirmed its confidence in Macau's future prosperity and stability, which will help guarantee the success of its "One Country, Two Systems" policy.

Entry and Exit:

Macau International Airport

Tourists can use the Macau International Airport for travelling to several destinations in the region on direct flights or catch connecting flights to different ports of Asia, Europe or America. The airport is located on Taipa Island and is 15 minutes away from the Macau Ferry Terminal, 20 minutes from the Barrier Gate and only 10 minutes away from the COTAI Frontier Post. It operates 24 hours a day. For detailed information on flight schedules, please dial (853) 28861111 or visit http://www.macau-airport.com

Hong Kong International Airport

Hong Kong has many facilities for Macau-bound travellers. The main sea terminal and heliport are located in Shun Tak Centre, on the waterfront West of Central District on Hong Kong Island. It is above Sheung Wan MTR station (Mass Transit Railway) and next to a terminus for buses and minibuses from many parts of Hong Kong, including the A2 Airbus from the airport. The terminal has passenger wharves and helipad, booking offices for current and advance sailings and flights, reservation offices of Macau hotels and travel agents, a branch of China Travel Service, and a Macau Government Tourist Office Information Counter. If you wish more detailed information please reference website http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/english/getting_to_macau_en.phtml.

Visas:

All visitors must hold a passport or a valid travel document. Please note that the validity of these documents must not be less than 30 days since the day you enter Macau.
If travel arrangements are made through an agent, the visa processing is handled by Macau tour operators.

A.Visas are required by all visitors except a) Residents of Macau;

b) Nationals of Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Croatia, Czech, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Mongolia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Tanzania and the United Kingdom(6 months) for a stay up to 90 days;

c) Nationals of Australia, Canada, Chile, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Namibia, New Zealand, Philippines, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United States of America and Uruguay for a stay up to 30 days;

d) Nationals of China with valid Macau entry/depart documents, including residents of Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and overseas Chinese for a stay of up to 30 days;

e) The "Hong Kong Identity Card", "Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card" or "Hong Kong Reentry Permit" holders may stay in Macau for a maximum period of one year.

f) Holders of Diplomatic Passport or "Laissez Passer" issued by the United Nations.

g) Holders of Consulate/Diplomatic documents issued by the Macau SAR or Hong Kong SAR.

B.Visas can be obtained from the Immigration Services through Embassies/Consulates of the PRC and should be used within the validity, the visa is expired after the valid date.

C.Visas are also available on arrival in Macau at the Immigration Services for a period of 30 days. There are three types:

1) Individual - MOP$100, for individual traveler for a single stay of up to 30 days in Macau, children under 12 years of age pay MOP$50.

2) Family - MOP$200 for couples, husband travelling with wife and or children (under 12 years of age) of same surname or on proof of their relationship.

3) Group - MOP$50 per person for bonafide groups of 10 or more and children aged 12 or under.

For further information, please call (853) 28725488 or visit the website of Immigration Services: http://www.fsm.gov.mo

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For those who want to travel to mainland China, visas may be obtained locally at any of the China Travel Service (CTS) offices counters in Macau (the main branch is located at Rua de Nagazaki, 35 – tel.853-28700888) or at the Gongbei Immigration and Customs (after the Border Gate).

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Page last modified by October 14, 2007, at 02:05 AM