The Ninth Ministerial Conference on the Information Society in Latin America and the Caribbean is scheduled to be held in Santiago on 7 and 8 November 2024.
The purpose of this document is to provide delegations with useful information to facilitate their work at the Conference.
The meeting coordinators will be available to answer any questions concerning logistical or organizational matters, before or during the event.

General information on the country and city hosting the Conference

1. Geographical location
Chile is located in the extreme south-west of South America. Its capital city is Santiago, and the country has a total population of around 19.5 million. Chile lies between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes mountains, and its long, narrow territory is divided into 16 administrative regions.

2. The capital
Santiago is the capital city of Chile and its Metropolitan Region is home to 7 million people. It has a Mediterranean climate and well-defined seasons, with rainy winters with temperatures as low as 0°C (from May to September) and dry summers, when top daytime temperatures are around 30°C (from November to March). Relative humidity is low, and evenings are cool. 

Although the tap water is safe to drink, it may not agree with those not accustomed to it. Visitors are therefore advised to drink bottled water. 
As in all large cities, it is recommended not to wear valuable jewellery and to remain alert regarding cell phones, wallets or bags, for security reasons.

Información de utilidad para su estadía

3. Meeting venue
The Ninth Ministerial Conference on the Information Society in Latin America and the Caribbean will be held in the Raúl Prebisch Conference Room at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), located at Av. Dag Hammarskjöld 3477, Vitacura, Santiago. 
ECLAC has a limited number of parking spaces. Only official automobiles of diplomatic missions will be authorized to drop off and pick up members of their delegations. To do so, please send driver and vehicle details (model and licence plate number) to the following email addresses: carolina.jara@un.org and cencoseg@cepal.org.

4. The meeting is being organized by ECLAC. The contacts are:

• Sebastián Rovira
Economic Affairs Officer
Division of Production, Productivity and Management
ECLAC, United Nations
Teléfono: (+56) 2 2210 2237 
Correo electrónico: sebastian.rovira@un.org  

• Alejandro Patiño
Economic Affairs Officer
Division of Production, Productivity and Management
ECLAC, United Nations
Teléfono: (+56) 2 2210 2139 
Correo electrónico: jorge.patino@un.org  

• Margarita de Igarzábal (temas logísticos)
Acting Supervisor
Conference Services Unit
ECLAC, United Nations
Teléfono: (+56) 2 2210 2588
Correo electrónico: margarita.deigarzabal@un.org 

5. Hotel reservations
The ECLAC Conference Services Unit has reserved a block of rooms at special rates at the following hotels:

• Hotel Pullman Santiago Vitacura (****) 
Av. Vitacura 3201, Vitacura │ Tel: (+56) 22947 3612 
Single room: US$ 125 + tax (includes breakfast, Internet, gym and swimming pool) 
Contact: Francisca Cid, Reservations Department 
Email: francisca.cid@accor.com and reservas.chile@accor.com 

• Hotel Director Vitacura (****)
Av. Vitacura 3600, Vitacura │ Tel: (+56) 22389 1956
Single room: US$ 110 + tax (includes breakfast and Internet)
Contact: María Eliana Puga, Reservations Department 
Email: reservas@director.cl

• Hotel Noi (*****)
Av. Nueva Costanera 3736, Vitacura │ Tel: (+56) 22432 6837
Single room: US$ 170 + tax (includes breakfast, Internet, gym and parking)
Contact: Meena Vaswani, Senior Sales Account Manager
Email: meena.vaswani@noihotels.com

• Hotel NH Collection Casacostanera (****)
Av. Nueva Costanera 3900, Vitacura │ Tel: (+56) 22496 2000
Single or double room: US$ 125 + tax (includes breakfast and Internet) 
Contact: Noemí González Gebaüer, Reservations Department
Email: rsv.nhcollectioncasacostanera@nh-hotels.com

• Hotel Hyatt Place Vitacura (*****)   
Av. Américo Vespucio Norte 1597, Vitacura │ Tel: (+56) 22989 1206  
Single room: US$ 110 + tax (includes breakfast buffet at hotel restaurant) 
Contact: Rocío Valdebenito, Sales Executive
Email: rocio.valdebenito@hyatt.com

Reservations must be made directly with the chosen hotel before the expiry date indicated on the hotel reservation form (see the last page of this document). After that date, the hotel reserves the right to change the rate and cannot guarantee that rooms will be available. 
These rates do not include the value added tax (VAT) of 19%. Visitors paying in dollars or with international credit cards are exempt from VAT. In that case, the hotel will request the slip issued by border control upon entry into Chile. 
To maintain the special ECLAC rate, hotel reservations must be requested personally, not through agencies or other means. Delegates are responsible for making their own reservations. You are advised to check that the hotel has processed your reservation and to request a reservation number or confirmation code.
The hotel requires your flight information and dates of arrival and departure from Chile, as well as credit card details, in order to secure the reservation. Please send the chosen hotel the attached hotel reservation form, with all the required details.

5. Visa and entry requirements for Chile
Participants must be in possession of a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry into Chile.
Representatives from countries whose citizens require a visa to enter Chile should apply for one in advance at their nearest Chilean embassy or consulate.
To check whether a visa is needed, participants may contact the Chilean embassy or consulate in their countries. Contact details for the embassies and consulates can be found at https://www.minrel.gob.cl/embajadas-y-consulados.

6. Transport from the airport to Santiago
For transfers from the airport to the city, there are minibuses run by the companies Transvip and WeTransport, located at the airport, which can take 10–12 passengers, including persons with reduced mobility, and drop passengers off in different neighbourhoods, at a cost of around US$ 15 per person.
Travellers who wish to use individual transport should use the official taxi firms (Taxi Turismo Oficial), which are located at the airport; fares to the city range from US$ 35 to US$ 40, depending on the destination.
There are also bus routes and taxis for transportation in the capital, in addition to six subway lines. Taxi fares are indicated on meters and drivers are generally not tipped.
For persons with permanently or temporarily reduced mobility, three private transport companies are suggested:

Goxi
Website: http://www.goxi.cl/
Tel: (+56) 9 6834 7267

Arpal Chile
Website: https://www.arpalchile.cl/
Tel: (+56) 96650 1734

Transfervan
Website: https://www.transfervan.cl/sitiotransfervan/
Tel: (+56) 96630 8660

7. Registration
Online registration for participants on the meeting website (https://www.cepal.org/en/eventos/novena-conferencia-ministerial-la-sociedad-la-informacion-america-latina-caribe) will open on 2 October 2024.
After registration, the system will send an automatic confirmation of receipt. Once the registration request has been approved, a “confirmation of acceptance” email is sent, which must be presented along with an identification document when picking up credentials. 
Online registration of government representatives does not exempt delegations from the formal requirement to provide official notification indicating the names of the head of delegation and of all accompanying members. Officials of United Nations system entities will be able to enter the meeting with their United Nations pass, which must be previously activated, but are still required to register online. To activate a pass, please send images of both sides of the credential to the following email: cencoseg@cepal.org. 
Credentials may be collected at the main entrance of ECLAC (Av. Dag Hammarskjöld 3477, Vitacura) on 5 and 6 November from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on 7 November from 9 to 10 a.m. 
Credentials must be picked up in person, upon presentation of an identification document. For security reasons, participants will be required to wear their badges in order to attend. Badges must remain visible during the meeting. 
Participants are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of meetings in order to complete the accreditation process and United Nations security protocols. 

For further information on registration and accreditation of participants, please contact Luis Eduardo Flores Mimica (luis.flores@cepal.org) or Carolina Jara González (carolina.jara@cepal.org). 

8. Opening session
The opening session will take place on Tuesday, 3 October 2023 at 9 a.m. in the Raúl Prebisch Conference Room at ECLAC. 

9. Internet
Delegates will have access to a wireless Internet connection (Wi-Fi) in the conference rooms and in open areas. 

10. Languages
The official language of the meeting will be Spanish. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided into English and international sign language. 

11. Facilities and services at ECLAC
Bank: There is a branch of Banco de Chile in the basement of the main ECLAC building. It is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Foreign currency can be exchanged from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. 
Meals: ECLAC has a café and a canteen, which are open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Participants are responsible for paying for these services.  
Medical attention: The ECLAC Medical Service, on the ground floor of the main building (office number Z-210, ext. 2333) provides first aid. It is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2.30 to 6 p.m.