Congress information
The World Diabetes Congress will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates from Sunday 4 December to Thursday 8 December 2011.
Accessibility
Dubai is a meeting point for destinations around the world with an average flying time of seven hours or less from Europe, Asia, India and many parts of Africa. 113 airlines operate out of Dubai International Airport serving over 600 destinations.
Accommodation
Accommodation of Dubai is of high standard. Besides luxury hotels the city offers affordable 4-;3-and 2-star hotels and serviced apartments. Currently there is a total capacity of over 26,000 rooms in all categories of which over 5,000 rooms are located within 15 minutes of the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. For more information on housing please refer to the accommodation pages.
Bargaining
Bargaining is expected in the souq (market) and is quite usual elsewhere. Vendors will usually drop the price, particularly for a cash sale.
Climate
The UAE has a sub-tropical arid climate. Winters (November-February) are warm and short with an average high of 23 °C and overnight lows of 14 °C.
Clothing
Western summer clothing can be worn for most of the year. At the pool or on private beaches, swimwear is quite acceptable, but when in the city and public areas, care should be taken not to give offense by wearing clothing that may be considered revealing.
The men’s traditional dress is a long white cloak called the Kandura, or dishdash. The long flowing black gown worn by the women is known as the Abaya.
Continuing medical education CME
CME consists of educational activities that serve to maintain, develop or increase the knowledge, skills and professional performance and relationships that a healthcare professional uses to provide services for patients, the public or the profession.
Applications for CME accreditation will be presented to the national accreditation body and the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education EACCME. The previous congress has been accredited 21 hours of credits.
Currency
The monetary unit is the Dirham (AED) which is divided into 100 fils. It is fixed to the US dollar at a current rate of US$1 = Dhs 3.675.
Electricity
The electricity supply in Dubai is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles. Standard, British square three-pin plugs are the norm in most hotels. Other appliances need a transformer.
Exhibition
The congress will host an exhibition. Companies from all over the world will showcase diabetes–related products and services.
Global Village
The Global Village is an area within the exhibition hall dedicated to the Federation’s 200 national diabetes associations in over 160 countries. IDF strives to tackle diabetes from the local to the global level - from programmes at community level to worldwide awareness and advocacy initiatives. At the Global Village member associations are given the opportunity to interact with the global diabetes community at large and to learn from each other.
Language
The official language in the UAE is Arabic but English is widely spoken and understood throughout the country. English is also the official language of the congress.
Liability and insurance
Neither the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), CSI (the official housing bureau) nor any other supplier active in the congress centre will assume responsibility for injury and/or damage involving persons or property during the congress. Participants are advised to take out travel and medical insurance for the congress.
Media
A media centre offering internet, e-mail and fax services will operate during the congress. Only accredited journalists will have access to the media centre.
Medicine and First Aid
The majority of medicines which are used worldwide are available in local pharmacies and hospitals in the United Arab Emirates. A pharmacy is located in the congress centre. Travellers carrying personal medicines are advised to seek permission from the Registration and Drug Control Department, Ministry of Health, prior to travelling to the United Arab Emirates. More information.
Safety & Security
Dubai is considered one of the safest cities in the world with a very low crime rate. Delegates are advised to take the same security precautions in the UAE that one would practice in any large city worldwide.
Tax
Sales tax is levied on specific goods and services, for example alcohol, cigarettes, hotel services and entertainment and restaurant. Currently no VAT system is in place.
Time zone
Dubai UAE Standard Time is 4 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+4).
Tipping & Gratuities
Tipping practices are similar to most other parts of the world. Most restaurants include a 10% service charge, but tipping in general is at the customer’s discretion.
Transportation
Taxis are easily obtainable in Dubai. Dubai Municipality operates numerous bus routes throughout the emirate. Since 2009 Dubai operates 2 metro lines linking the airport and the congress centre to the city and main hotels throughout Dubai.
Venue
The Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) opened in 2003. The world-class venue is a 15-minute drive away from the Dubai International Airport. It offers meeting and exhibition space that combines superior design with multi-purpose functionality:
DICEC
Sheikh Zayed Road
Dubai
http://www.dicec.ae
Visa
All passengers travelling to the United Arab Emirates must be in possession of a valid passport.
Nationals from 33 countries in Europe, North America and the Pacific Rim can enter the UAE without obtaining a visa in advance. Their passports will be stamped with a visit visa as they pass through Immigration on arrival.
Nationals of the Gulf Co-operation council states are not required to apply for a visa in advance.
For all except the above a valid passport and visa is required for travel to the UAE. For more information please refer to the visa page.