INFORMATION NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS
The Information Note in PDF can be downloaded here
Time and Place of Meetings
At the kind invitation of the Government of Solomon Islands, the Fourth Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC-4) and Second Pacific Ministerial Meeting on Meteorology (PMMM-2) will be held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, from 14 to 17 August 2017 and 18 August 2017, respectively.
Both meetings will take place at the Forum Fishery Agency (FFA) Conference room in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Travel Arrangements
A return economy ticket will be issued to SPREP funded participants at the most economical route in compliance with SPREP Travel Policy. Any changes, amendments or cancellation to travel arrangements that will incur extra costs or loss of revenue to SPREP once the ticket has been issued will be borne by the participants. For more information on travel (for SPREP funded participants only) to please contact [email protected] and copy [email protected].
Health Advice (on Dengue)
Information source: UK Government Foreign Travel Advice still current as at 3 August 2017.
Solomon Islands has confirmed an outbreak of dengue fever in all provinces. UK health authorities have classified Solomon Islands as having a risk of Zia virus transmission. Participants should avoid being bitten by mosquitos, please ensure you have sufficient insect repellent for the full duration, or methods to repel mosquitoes for your duration in Solomon Islands.
If you may wish to travel with a mini kit of Panadol, plasters and so forth.
More information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/solomon-islands
Arrival and Transport Arrangements
Transport will be provided by the Solomon Islands Meteorological Services for the pick-up service at the airport provided that arrival details are communicated to the local organizers in well in advance of arrival time into Honiara. After immigration clearance at the airport, look for your names for assistance and you’ll be transported to your hotels.
Public transport is available by TAXI services, usually parked in front of the arrival area with TAXI signs on them. TAXI fares are ranging from SBD$100 - $150.00 depending on the distance where the hotel you’ve booked located in Honiara.
Communication
Also to note on arrival free Telekom sim card can be provided upon request after check out through immigrations and customs. Free Telekom sim card can be given by providing your passport at the Western Union counter in the departure checking terminal.
Mobile service providers will be setting up booths as the meeting venue as well for phones, sim cards, internet dongles and recharge cards.
Wi-fi will be available at the meeting venue and dongles are also available for purchase.
Meeting Arrangements
Both meetings will be conducted in English and all working documents, as well as the provisional and final reports of the meetings, will be available in English only.
It is planned that the opening ceremony for the PMC-4 will begin at 9:00a.m. on 14 August 2017.Registration of participants will start at 7:30 a.m. on 14 August 2017 at the registration desk located at the entrance to the meeting room.Participants will receive identification badges and information packages at the time of registration.
For the Second Pacific Ministerial Meeting on Meteorology (PMMM-2) the opening ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m. on 18 August 2017. Registration of participants will start at 8:00 a.m. on 18 August 2017 at the registration desk located at the entrance to the meeting room.Participants will receive identification badges and information packages at the time of registration.
Entry Requirements
A valid passport (and visa if applicable) is necessary for all persons entering Solomon Islands. Some countries in the region can obtain Visa on arrival whilst others are not. Participants that are not able to obtain Visa on arrival can contact the host country focal point organiser – Mr Lloyd Tahani, Acting Director Meteorology, Solomon Islands for Visa formalities (please use Appendix 1 - Visa Application Information Form). The “Application Form for Visa” can be obtained from the website of the Solomon Islands Immigration Department, Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration at:
http://www.commerce.gov.sb/Divisions/Immigration/Application_Form.htm.
Coordination
The Local Coordinators for the Meeting of the PMC-4 and PMMM-2 are:
Mr Lloyd Tahani ([email protected])
Mr Chanel Iroi ([email protected])
Mr Noel Sainao ([email protected])
Mr Solomon Sammy ([email protected])
Ms. Florence Bale ([email protected])
Ms. Ruth Nalangu ([email protected])
Solomon Islands Meteorological Services
Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology
P.O BOX 21
Honiara
Solomon Islands
Téléphone Nos.: (677) 24218 / (677) 27658
Fax No.: (677) 23029
The regional coordination support for the PMC-4 and the PMMM-2 will be provided by SPREP and WMO
Mr. Salesa Nihmei ([email protected])
Ms. Sela Simamao ([email protected])
Ms. Azarel Mariner ([email protected])
Mr. Henry Taiki (htaiki@wmo.int)
Or PacMetDesk ([email protected])
Telephone, facsimile, Internet and postal services are available at or near the meeting place.
Banking and Currency
Solomon Islands’ currency is the Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD). Notes are issued in denominations of SBD 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100. One SBD is equal to 100 cent. Coins come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 cents and 1 dollar. Solomon Islands currency can be exchanged at banks. All major currencies are generally accepted.
General banking hours: 9:00 am - 04:00 pm week days (Monday - Friday). Participants arriving during the weekend are advised to change some money at the Airport on arrival. The current exchange rate is roughly USD 1 » SBD$7.80, subject to fluctuation. Credit cards are accepted by all major hotels.
Solomon Islands Meteorological Services has also arranged for banks to setup booths at the meeting venue for foreign exchange.
Electricity and Plug Type
The electrical current in Solomon Islands is 220-240 Volts, and the type of plug normally used is shown below (type Australian AS-3112).
Please bring an extra adaptor if you want to use your laptops, etc.
Local Climate in August/September
Climate data in August/September in Honiara, Solomon Islands are listed below:
Mean daily temperature: + 27.2 °C
Mean maximum temperature: + 31.3 °C
Mean minimum temperature: + 23.3 °C
Mean precipitation 94.0mm
Accommodation
Appendix A contains a list of recommended hotels in Honiara where rates are attached to them.All recommended hotels have internet access. Honiara Hotel and Pacific Casino Hotel are located close to the meeting venue.
Participants are advised to make their own accommodation bookings well in advance. When booking, you must provide details of your credit card for guarantee (type and No., name, expiry date). Bookings may be made via Internet or by faxing the Hotel Reservation Form contained in Appendix B.
LIST OF RECOMMENDED HOTELS
| Hotel Names | Contacts | Standard Room (SBD) | Deluxe Room (SBD) | Distance from Meeting Place | Additional Info | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | Double | Single | Double | ||||
|
Heritage Park Hotel |
E-mail : [email protected] Web: www.heritageparkhotel.com.sb Telephone: (677) 24007 Fax: (677) 21001 |
2,300.00 | 2,300.00 | 2,475.00 | 2,475.00 | 3.5 km | Pickup by transport to meeting venue |
|
Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel |
E-mail: [email protected]b Web: http://www.kitanomendana.com Telephone: (677) 20071 Fax: (677) 23942 |
1,210.00 | 1,210.00 | 1,400.00 | 1,400.00 | 3.3km | Pickup by transport to meeting venue |
| King Solomon Hotel |
Email: [email protected] Tel: (677)21205 Fax: (677) 21771 Web: www.Kingsolomomhotel.inf |
770 | 770 | 1,035 | 1,035 | 3.6km | Pickup by transport to meeting venue |
| Iron Bottom Sound Hotel |
Tel: (677) 28633 Web: http://www.ironbottomsoundhotel.com |
770 | 770 | 1200 | 1200 | 4.2km | Pickup by transport to meeting venue |
| Honiara Hotel |
Email :[email protected] Tel : (677) 21737/23412 Fax : (677) 20376 Web : http://www.honiarahotel.com.sb |
795 | 795 | 1250 | 1250 | 1.8km |
Pickup by transport to meeting venue |
| Pacific Casino Hotel |
Email: [email protected] Tel: (677) 25009 Fax: (677) 22880 |
500 850 |
600 900 |
700 950 |
2.0km | Pickup by transport to meeting venue | |
|
Red Mansion – Panatina |
700 | 1000 | 5km | Pickup by transport to meeting venue | |||
| Advantage Accommodation |
Email: [email protected] Tel: (677) 26804 |
850 | 1000 | 2.5km | Pickup by transport to meeting venue | ||
|
Sanalae Apartment Panatina |
Email: sanalae.apartment.com.sb Tel: (677) 39218/39600 Mobile: (677) 7352175/8710242 |
Upstairs 1050
Downstairs 880 |
6km |
Pickup by transport to meeting venue | |||
| Captain Commander Inn – Lunga | 400 | 800 | 10km | Pickup by transport to meeting venue | |||
| Reckona Lodge – Vavaya Ridge |
Email:[email protected] Tel: (677) 21082 |
550 Upstirs 495 Downstairs |
2km | Pickup by transport to meeting venue | |||
| United Church Rest House |
Email: [email protected] Tel: (677) 20028 Fax: (677) 22064 |
400 | 700 | 2km |
Pickup by transport to meeting venue |
||
| Mothers Union Rest House |
Email: [email protected] Tel: (677) 27785/27630 |
381 (2 beds) C/F |
520 | 508 (3beds) | 600 (4 beds) A/C | 2km | Pickup by transport to meeting venue |
|
Bulaia Motel - Kula Ridge |
500 | 900 | 1.8km | Pickup by transport to meeting venue | |||
|
Skyline Apartments |
Email: Reservation: [email protected] Tel: (677) 7479121 |
10,000 | 3km | Pickup by transport to meeting venue | |||
| Royal Palm Motel - Tanoli |
Email: [email protected] Tel: (677) 20203 Mobile: (677) 7720718 |
480 | 440 | 550 | 550 | 1.7km | Pickup by transport to meeting venue |
| Lolo Rest House – Panatin | 400 | 700 | 5km | Pickup by transport to meeting venue | |||
| Chester Rest House a |
Email: [email protected] Tel: (677) 26355 Fax: (677) 23079 |
500 (2 beds) | 800 | 2km | Pickup by transport to meeting venue | ||