OSCE High-Level Conference on Tolerance and Non-Discrimination

(Kazakhstan, Astana, 29-30 June 2010)

General information

1. The OSCE High-Level Conference on Tolerance and Non-Discrimination (hereinafter - Conference) will be held at the level of heads of government agencies of the OSCE participating States and Partners dealing with promotion of ethnic and religious tolerance.

Venue

2. The Conference will take place at Astana’s Palace of Peace and Accord (the Pyramid).The Press Centre will be situated directly within the Conference venue. The Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan will handle the press accreditation and is responsible for facilitating press coverage of the Conference.

Press Centre working hours

Sunday, 27 June 2010	14.00 –18.00
Monday, 28 June 2010	08.00 – 21.00
Tuesday, 29 June 2010	08.00 – 21.00
Wednesday, 30 June 2010	08.00 – 22.00

Programme and pools

3. The detailed programme of Conference events for media representatives will be distributed upon completion of the accreditation. For the purposes of covering the Conference, mass media will be divided into several groups – so-called "pools":

- Audio-visual media (photographers, videographers)

- Print media (correspondents, columnists)

A programme indicating the numbers of pools, time of pools gathering, and time of the event will be available at the Press Centre.

Accreditation Process

4. Media representatives who intend to participate in the media coverage of the Conference are advised to submit a request (attaching all necessary information, see the Accreditation Form further) seeking accreditation for the event. Media representatives should electronically fill in the Accreditation Form. Completed application forms along with a photo should be sent by e-mail to the following addresses - pressa@mid.kz; news@mfa.kz . 

Please note: The photo images submitted for accreditation must comply with the standard requirements. Accreditation will be denied if the submitted documents are incomplete or images do not meet photo criteria.

5. The deadline for accreditation for all media representatives (both Kazakhstan’s and foreign journalists) is no later than 12.00 on 15 June 2010.

You will have to present your identification documents (ID card / passport / valid press card or letter from the relevant media organizations) in order to receive your badge. The badges will be distributed at the Palace of Peace and Accord (the Pyramid) on the day of the event, and, if necessary, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Press Office in the days leading up to the Conference.

It should be noted that the badges will not be mailed to applicants.

Please note: Media representatives are required to always carry official identity documents and badges received after accreditation to properly identify themselves to the security officers.

6.   Media representatives are informed that security personnel will examine and may test equipment and personal effects carried onto the site and are advised to arrive with sufficient lead time to clear security checks.

7.   Television and radio broadcasters, wire services and photo agencies bringing bulky equipment into the Media Centre are particularly urged to do so on 27 June and no later than 12.00 on 28 June 2010.

Facilities and broadcasting

8.  The Host Nation will provide standard workspaces for print and audio media (TV and radio editing booths included); additional fully equipped facilities for TV and radio stations will be available.

A Close Circuit Television System will operate in the media centre.

9. The Host Television and Broadcaster will provide live coverage all of the meetings to the Press Centre.

For enquiries, or to book a TV / radio editing booth or studio, please contact:

Mr.

Accommodation

10. Media representatives are encouraged to stay in Astana and are advised to reserve accommodation as soon as possible. Recommended media hotels (see below) will be included in the shuttle bus route to the Media Centre.

Please note: Early reservations are recommended, for the transport needs assessment.

Hotel "Duman"

Address: Kurgalzhinskoye Highway, 2A, Astana

Теl.: +7 (7172) 79 15 00

www.duman.kz

Hotel "Grand Park Esil"

Адрес: 8 Beibitshilik, Astana

Reference point: Central Square

Tel.: +7(7172) 59-19 01

Comfort Hotel Astana

60 Kosmonatov Ulitsa, Astana 474000 Kazakhstan

Tel.: +7(7172) 22 10 21, 24 26 68, 24 26 71, 24 26 76.

Transportation

In order to obtain a visa for the Republic of Kazakhstan

Visa regime of Kazakhstan with other countries

Information on Customs Clearance of Temporarily Imported Goods to the Customs Territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Instruction memo for a passenger on the customs clearance procedure in cross-border posts

Embassies, permanent representations, diplomatic missions, consulates and consulates general abroad

See below for the conference information package in Russian.