11th General Conference in Durban (2nd circular)

Date and Venue. The 11th General Conference and 20th General Meeting of TWAS will be held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban, South Africa, during the period 20-23 October 2009. The meetings of TWAS Committees and Council will be held on 18th and 19th October (committee members please refer to the programme  linked at the bottom of this page for details).

Host. The TWAS Conference and General Meeting is hosted by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and supported by the South African Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

Official Language. The official language of the Conference will be English.

Participation. Invitation to attend the Conference is extended to all TWAS Members and a selected number of distinguished personalities from developing and developed countries. Participation in the Conference is by invitation only.

Final Registration Form. Forms have been sent to all invited participants. They should be completed and returned to the TWAS Secretariat in Trieste by 10 September 2009.

Travel. Participants should make their own travel plans to reach Durban International airport as the final destination. Participants arriving at Johannesburg (O R Tambo airport), must collect their luggage and then recheck for the flight to Durban at the domestic terminal. ASSAf representatives will be available at OR Tambo International airport to assist delegates with domestic transfers. Upon arrival in Durban, the local hosts will arrange pick up from Durban International airport to the Hotel.

Visa Arrangements. Invited participants should please check with the closest South African Consulate/Embassy on entry requirements and, if needed, apply for entry visas well in advance. Furthermore, personalized letters of invitation on the ASSAf letterhead are available on request from the TWAS Secretariat in Trieste (email: mhassan [at] twas.org). Participants requiring further assistance for special cases, should contact the ASSAf.

For information on visas, please visit http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/visa_schedule.asp
Director General, Dept. of Home Affairs – Private Bag X114, Pretoria, 0001 - Phone: +27 (0)800 601190 - eMail: csc [at] dha.gov.za

Accommodation and Meals. All invited participants will be accommodated at the

Hilton Durban Hotel
12-14 Walnut Road
Durban, South Africa 4001
Phone: +27 31 336 8100
Fax: +27 31 336 8200

Vaccinations. Participants from African countries are required to have yellow fever vaccinations. It is advisable to take malaria medication if travelling to any of the game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal or to the Kruger National Park.

Tours. Full details of optional post-conference tours and day trips for accompanying persons is now available at www.welcome.co.za/twas-optional-tours.htm. 

Weather. In October, the temperature is approximately 23°C during the day and drops to about 18°C at night. Rain is likely.

Facilities. Banking facilities (First National) are available in the ICC. Opening hours are from 09:30-15:30 hours.
A travel desk will be available during the duration of the conference and will be operational from 08:30-16:00 hours.  

Address for Correspondence and Further Information

Local Organizing Committee

• Roseanne Diab
• Takalani Rambau
• Mutheu Ngila
• Lindiwe Lusenga
• Mmampei Mabusela
• Lindiwe Gama
• Mathoto Malewa