RBEC 2008 Resident Representatives meeting Bratislava, Slovakia n Introduction n Information n Logistics

Welcome to Slovakia! n Membership in EU, NATO, OECD n UN Security Council member in n Key historical points: –1993: “Velvet separation” from Czech Republic –1998: Mečiar government falls, transition accelerates n On the economy: –Rapid GDP growth accelerates to 10.4% in 2007 –World’s largest per capita automobile producer –Expected to join Euro zone in January 2009 n But—significant challenges in terms of social inclusion, regional disparities remain: –Roma –Eastern Slovakia

Why are we here? n Opportunity for common discussion of key global, regional priorities, communications, messages n Important step in RBEC, UNDP communications, programming cycle n Team building

RBEC communications, programming cycle n 2007: –Executive board approves UNDP strategic plan –Sarajevo DRR meeting: Initial articulation of CO priorities  regional priorities –RBEC regional strategy developed, consulted n 2008: –CO strategic note discussions –Development of BRC work plan –This meeting: Further work on regional priorities n Advisory Board to BRC’s Policy Support and Programme Development Office n Regional Gender Steering Committee

Meeting Secretariat n The Secretariat has: –Eight laptops with internet access –Sign-up sheets for side meetings with: n BRC staff n Ad, Kori, Cihan, Martin, Beate, etc. n For side meetings that have been set up by RBEC, please see the RBEC focal point n The Secretariat can help you with: –General information –Travel arrangements n Secretariat phone:

Meeting rooms Meeting with: Room AdBratislava MartinKiev KoriLisbon

For meetings with BRC staff n Sign up: –Today (Monday) –Sign-up sheets posted outside of Rome room n Meetings will be held on: –Tuesday afternoon (17.00 – 19.20) in hotel n Rooms announced by Tuesday lunch –Wednesday morning (9.00 – 12.00) in BRC (35 Grosslingova—no transport arranged)

Logistics: Please help us GREEN the meeting... n Paper preparations have been kept to a minimum n Hotel is fully wired: –DSL cables in rooms –Wireless access everywhere n Everything you need can be downloaded from:

... And to reduce our carbon footprint n This meeting will generate some 116 tons of CO 2 n Help offset this carbon by making a donation for tree planting in the Secretariat n At meeting’s end, we’ll announce: –How much $$ was collected –How many trees can be planted –How much of the CO 2 we’ll offset

Information updates and reminders n Dress code: –Business casual –Except for official opening (later this morning) n Schedule change: Tonight’s cocktail has been moved to the foyer behind the conference room

Let’s have a great meeting!