FAQ - Your trip to MENA Climate Week 2023
This FAQ provides tips and travel advice to participants attending the Middle East and Northern Africa Climate Week 2023.  MENACW 2023 will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from October 8 to 12, hosted by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 
Do you have a question that we have not covered? Please send an email to Climate-Week@unfccc.int with the subject line: FAQ.
Accomodation

Participants are at liberty to decide which hotel they would like to book, but, in view of the heavy traffic in Riyadh, we strongly recommend to choose a hotel as close to the venue as possible.

Attending MENACW

Registration for participants will open on the 5th of September 2023. Please check this website for more information. 

Please click here to register as a participant for the MENACW 2023

Registration to the event is free of charge, with each participant responsible for arrangements and related costs, including flight, visa, food, and accommodation.

Some events at Middle East and Northern Africa Climate Week may be streamed live on the unfccc.int website. Please also follow #MENACW2023 on social media to be a part of the conversation.

The UNFCCC does not provide certificates of participation. Participants are welcome to keep their badges as proof of attendance.

Dress code

The Saudi Arabian law provides that the dress code for visitors must be in accordance with the standards set for such purposes and prohibits wearing improper clothing in public places.

Both men and women should dress modestly within the Kingdom in accordance with cultural norms.

Electrical appliances

The plug type in Saudi Arabia is type G, which has three rectangular pins in a triangular shape and is typically used in the United Kingdom. Check the plug type of your country to determine whether you will need to use an adaptor.

The standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 60 Hz. You can use all your usual equipment if the outlet voltage in your country is between 220-240V (most of Europe, Australia, and most countries in Africa and Asia use this voltage). If the voltage in your country is between 100-127V (US, Canada, and countries in South America), you may require a voltage converter.

Emergency situations

In case of an emergency, please dial this number: 911. Operators will respectively connect you to the Kingdom emergency, the police, or request ambulance services.

Make sure your health insurance plan provides overseas coverage or coverage in other countries and visit a local doctor or hospital for medical advice.

Language

Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia. English serves as an informal second language and is spoken by a large section of the Saudi Arabian society. All road signs are bilingual, showing information in both Arabic and English.

 

Local laws
Location

MENACW 2023 will take place at the Boulevard Riyadh City, located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A detailed program of the events with their location will be provided to you upon registration, either at the reception or at your hotel.

Yes, the venue is accessible to everyone.

Money

The Saudi Arabian currency is the Saudi Riyal (abbreviation SAR or SR). A riyal is divided into 100 halalas. Coins are available in 2 or 1 riyal and 50, 10, 5 or 1 halala. Bank notes are generally in 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 riyals.

All banks in Saudi Arabia offer currency exchange services. Exchange bureaus can also be found in airports. The exchange rate is 1 USD = 3.75 SAR. You can check the current exchange rate here.

Cash and credit cards are widely accepted forms of payment in Riyadh. All major forms of credit cards are accepted in Saudi Arabia, although it is best to travel with either Mastercard, Visa or American Express as these are accepted most widely. It’s best to check with your credit card company regarding transaction fees.

Time zone

Saudi Arabia follows the Arabian Standard Time (AST), which is UTC+3.

Transportation

By air: King Khalid International Airport is the airport of Riyadh. It is 40 km (about 25 mi) from the city center, and 34 km (about 21 mi) from Riyadh Boulevard City, where MENACW takes place. Please note that the only transportation available from the Airport to any destination within Riyadh will be by renting a car / Taxi + UBER + Careem (Promo Code for Careem App will be shared soon for free rides from/to the airport and venue)

Depending on the location of your hotel, you can take a shuttle, public transport, a Careem, an Uber or a taxi to the venue. More information regarding hotels that will have access to shuttles will be conveyed very soon.

Public transport: Riyadh has multiple bus lines. The ticket price for a two-hour ride is 4 SAR (about 1 USD). Tickets can be purchased from vending machines or through the Riyadh bus application. To use the app, you need to download it, create an account, and link your payment method. Be aware that foreign transaction fees may apply depending on your payment method.

Ride-sharing apps: Careem and Uber are popular and affordable options. Simply download the app and follow the same steps as already described.

Taxis: Taxis are the most common mode of transportation in Riyadh. Fares are calculated using a taximeter based on time and distance. The rates remain the same for day and night trips. Typically, a taxi ride from the airport to the city center costs around 80 SAR (about 22 USD).

Depending on the location of your hotel, you can take public transport, a Careem, an Uber or a taxi to the venue. Please see the button above.

Visa

A visa is required to visit Saudi Arabia. For the purposes of attending the MENACW, an electronic visa system will be in place with a nominal fee of 10.50 USD. 

Upon acceptance of the registration request, a link to the e-visa platform will be received where information must be provided, and the payment can be made for the visa application. 

Once you receive your e-visa, please ensure that you carry the hardcopy print-out in A4 format to present upon arrival. 

For all visa-related issues, please contact: visa_helpdesk@menacw2023.com

Unfortunately, UNFCCC is not able to support visa applications. Participants are responsible for obtaining their own visas for travel to Saudi Arabia.

There will be a variety of tours around the Kingdom during the MENACW, showcasing the history and heritage of Saudi Arabia. Registration for various tours will be made available with limited seats soon.

The tours will include pick up and drop off from Riyadh Boulevard and various hotels.

How do I register?

  • By visiting the registration website (the link will be shared and live on September 15th). You will be required to fill out various fields and receive a confirmation email with the itinerary.

Are the trips and tours free?

  • Trips and tours on the registration website are free of charge.

What is included in the tours?

  • There will be transportation for the trips and during the tours (from a pickup point)
  • There will be a dedicated team that will escort the visitor during the tours for guidance and assistance
  • Itineraries will be managed by a selected team and they will keep you informed of any updates that may accrue
  • Trips (destinations out of Riyadh) will include meals and all-day snacks
Weather

In October, the temperature can range from an average high of 33.8°C (93°F) and an average low of 20.5°C (69°F).

There shouldn't be any rainy days during October, and the average daily maximum UV index in Riyadh is 9. It is recommended to limit exposure to the direct sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., wear clothes that cover the whole body, and use sunscreen with a minimum 30 sun protection factor.

Wi-Fi and phones

There will likely be free Wi-Fi available in hotels and other venues. However, for necessities like taxi travel and translation, you may need to buy a SIM card to use data. The recommended SIM cards are from Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Mobily, or Zain. These can be bought at international airports (though more expensive), mobile provider stores, convenience stores or online. It is best to check with your service provider about what you will need before undertaking any travel.

The telephone area code in Saudi Arabia is +966.

Yes, free Wi-Fi will be provided at the venue.

We look forward to welcoming you to Riyadh!

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