NGO programme at the Annual Meeting [EBRD

EBRD 2008 Annual Meeting - NGO programme

The Annual Meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will take place on 18-19 May at the October Palace in Kiev, Ukraine. In parallel with the meetings of the Board of Governors, the Annual Meeting also includes the Business Forum events as well as the NGO programme.

Registration

We would like to thank those of you who registered to participate in the NGO programme.

Online registration is no longer available.

Participants can register on-site at the Annual Meeting and Business Forum. Please note that you will need to bring an official form of identification with you.

On site, registration times are 07:00-20:00 on Saturday 17 May, on Sunday 18 May and on Monday 19 May. There is a dedicated NGO booth in the main registration area.

Agenda

The NGO programme agenda will consist of ten consultation meetings over Sunday 18 May and Monday 19 May between NGOs and various teams of the Bank and will end with a final meeting between the President and all NGO participants on Tuesday 20 May. Please see the agenda below.

Consult the 2008 NGO programme agenda

As usual, simultaneous interpretation (English-Russian / Russian-English) will be available.

In parallel with the official agenda, NGO Relations Unit will also arrange individual meetings upon request from NGOs subject to availability of relevant EBRD staff members. It is very important that you approach us as soon as possible. Due to the staff’s busy schedules at the Annual Meeting we may not be able to accommodate your requests for additional meetings at a later stage.

Topics for discussion

Thank you to those of you who have indicated which meetings you plan to attend and the specific topics and projects you would like to discuss during the NGO programme.

Please refer to the NGO Newsletters and our web pages for more information on projects and other NGO-related topics at the following link www.ebrd.com/oppor/ngo/index.htm. In addition to this, we compiled some more focused background material to help you familiarise yourselves with how various teams work within the Bank. You can access this background information on our website by clicking on each individual meeting of the NGO programme agenda you would like to attend to read relevant information.

NGO Facilities

As in previous years, there is an additional NGO facilities room located next to the main meeting room which has internet access, a printer, a telephone and a photocopier. It is will available to NGOs on Saturday 17 May 15:00-19:00.

We advise you to plan your participation at the 2008 Annual Meeting well in advance and to take into consideration the following information on accreditation, registration and the visa regime for Ukraine.

Visa information

Participants are responsible for their own visa arrangements and are advised to make early enquiries about visa requirements in the Diplomatic and Consular Mission of Ukraine in their countries of origin or in neighbouring countries. Alongside other documents required by the authorities of Ukraine, the original letter of invitation issued by the EBRD should be used to apply for a visa.

For entry into Ukraine, visas are required for citizens of some countries. Participants requiring visas should apply as early as possible to the nearest Ukrainian embassy or consulate.

Travel and accommodation

Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements.The EBRD does not reimburse any costs relating to participation, travel and accommodation. These expenses are the responsibility of each organisation.

2008 Business Forum and Annual Meeting of Board of Governors

“Energising modern economies” is the overall theme of this year’s Business Forum, which starts at 09:00 on Sunday. The discussion panels will address infrastructure, sources of energy, aspirations of the growing middle classes, the impact of rising food prices and changing technologies in the EBRD region. The panel “Doing well by doing good: corporate social responsibility” at 10:30 on Monday will tackle the issues surrounding the concept and practice of CSR. Other specialised events will include discussions on women in business at 13:00 on Sunday, entrepreneurship and capital markets. The 2008 Country Promotion Programme will present the latest developments and investment opportunities in the EBRD’s countries of operations and provide the opportunity to interact with senior government, local and international business people and EBRD representatives. Ukraine Country Presentation will take place at 16:15 on Monday. The schedule of Business Forum and other events is available at www.ebrd.com/new/am/program/index.htm.

We encourage NGO participation in the panel and country events as your questions and comments are important to the overall discussion and debate.

The Opening Session of the Board of Governors starts at 15:00 on Sunday. This year no entry cards will be distributed but the seating allocation for NGO's is restricted to 22 persons on a first come first served basis. It is important to note that the AM badge is a must and that those individuals arriving without the badge will not be allowed in. The production of badges will be suspended between 14:00 and 15:00 on Sunday. Doors for the Opening Session will close as of 14:50 for a 15:00 start.

NGO programme at 2008 Annual Meeting