The information from Sweden:

International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology – Sweden welcomes NGO:s participating in the first session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to prepare a global legally binding instrument on Mercury (INC1) will be held in Stockholm, Sweden, from June 7 to 11 2010.

Background:

In February 2009, the Governing Council of UNEP, (United Nations Environment Programme) agreed on the need to develop a global legally binding instrument on mercury. <http://www.unep.org/hazardoussubstances/Mercury/Negotiations/Mandates/tabid/3321/language/en-US/Default.aspx>

The work to prepare this instrument will be undertaken by an intergovernmental negotiating committee supported by the Chemicals Branch of the UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics as secretariat.  The goal is to complete the negotiations before the twenty-seventh regular session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum in 2013. Participation in the intergovernmental negotiating committee is open to all Governments. Intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations may also take part as observers.
 
It is planned that the work of the intergovernmental negotiating committee will be carried out over five sessions.  
Tentative dates for the sessions are as follows:

·                     INC 1  7 to 11 June 2010, Stockholm, Sweden

·                     <http://www.unep.org/hazardoussubstances/Mercury/Negotiations/INC/tabid/3324/language/en-US/Default.aspx>

·                     INC 2  24 to 28 January 2011

·                     INC 3  30 October to 4 November 2011

·                     INC 4  June 2012

·                     INC 5  early 2013

Following the conclusion of the negotiations, the text will be open for signature at a diplomatic conference (Conference of Plenipotentiaries), which will be held later in 2013.

Pressrelease from Ministry of the Environment, Sweden:
http://www.sweden.gov.se./sb/d/12266/a/134166

Mercury:
Mercury is Recognized as a chemical of global concern due to its long-range transports in the atmosphere, its persistance in the environment, its ability to bioaccumulate in ecosystems and its significant negative effect on human health and environment.
 

Mercury can produce a range of adverse human health effects, including permanent damage to the nervous system, in particular the developing nervous system.  Due to these effects, and also because mercury can be transferred from a mother to her unborn child, infants, children and women of child bearing age are considered vulnerable populations.
UNEP has been working to address mercury issues since 2003.  Currently, the UNEP mercury programme has two main facets.

Publications, videos and material for the conference:
http://www.unep.org/hazardoussubstances/Mercury/MercuryPublications/ReportsPublications/tabid/3593/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Information to visitors  
Practical information, including information on the venue, accommodation, and the city of Stockholm can be found on the conference web site http://www.respoint.se/itp/event/inc1/9475

A technical briefing session will be held on Sunday morning 6 June from 9 am to 1 pm.  The meeting facilities are available on Sunday afternoon from 2 pm for regional meetings<http://www.unep.org/hazardoussubstances/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=tdMyd3PRnNQ%3d&tabid=3324&language=en-US>

Non-governmental organizations are reminded of the need for accreditation to participate in the negotiating process as an observer. Representatives of the media are also required to beaccredited <http://www.unep.org/hazardoussubstances/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=auaVgZOooxA%3d&tabid=3324&language=en-US> for full access to the venue.
 
Delegates are reminded of the need for nationals of many countries to obtain a visa to enter Sweden, as well as any required transit visas for the journey.

A
technical briefing session will be held on Sunday morning 6 June from 9 am to 1 pm.  The meeting facilities are available on Sunday afternoon from 2 pm for regional meetings <http://www.unep.org/hazardoussubstances/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=tdMyd3PRnNQ%3d&tabid=3324&language=en-US> .

Information relevant to the negotiations has been submitted  <http://www.unep.org/hazardoussubstances/Mercury/Negotiations/INC1/Submissions/tabid/4325/language/en-US/Default.aspx> to the secretariat and will be referenced in an information document.

Please contact the secretariat should you require additional assistance.

Mercury Programme
UNEP DTIE, Chemicals Branch
11-13, chemin des Anémones
CH-1219 Châtelaine, Geneva, Switzerland

Tel: (+41 22) 917 8183
Fax: (+41 22) 797 3460
E-mail :
mercury@chemicals.unep.org


 
The Conference takes place in Hotel Scandic Infra City
http://www.scandichotels.com/en/Hotels/Countries/Sweden/Stockholm/Hotels/Scandic-Infra-City/

Transportation:
There are no buses to Hotell Infra Cyty from Arlanda Airport.
There are both Buses and trains from Arlanda Airport to the City of Stockholm

Taxis are available directly outside all terminals at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport. Most taxi companies offer a fixed price ? if you want to know what the journey will cost, ask about the price in advance. You can also speak with the taxi rank officer if you want a particular taxi company or if you have any questions.

    
Saturday- June 5  There will be a taxihost from Taxi 020 between 10:00-19:00 at the Airport by the arrival hall at Terminal 5 in order to provide taxitransfers to fixed prices.

Fixed price by Taxi 020 (up to 4 persons)
 Arlanda Airport- Scandic Infra City SEK 230
Other approximately prices by Taxi 020 (up to 4 persons):
 Arlanda Airport-Stockholm City SEK 490
 Arlanda Airport- Hotel close to Airport SEK 150 (Quality Airport Hotel, Connect, Park Inn)
 
 Stockholm City-Scandic Infra City SEK 310
 Scandic Infra City-Stockholm City SEK 310
 Hotel close to Airport -Scandic Infra City SEK 200
 Scandic Infra City-Hotel close to Airport SEK 200
 All rates incl. VAT.

Stockholm is served by two airports: Arlanda (ARN) and Bromma (BMA)     

       

Arlanda - Stockholm City <http://www.arlanda.se/en/Information--services-to/Traveller-information/Get-to-and-from-the-airport> For those travelling to the airport there are many alternatives, for example: high-speed trains (Arlanda Express), airport coaches (Flygbussarna), commuter and long-distance trains and local buses.
 

Bromma - Stockholm City <http://www.brommaairport.se/en/Bromma/Traveller/Getting-to-and-from-the-airport>
Short distances at the airport make your stay easy, and you are less than 20 minutes away from the heart of Stockholm. Airport coach departures are adapted to aircraft arrivals and departures. There are also two local public bus lines to and from the airport.  

       


Scandic Infra City Hotel is located in Upplands Väsby about 15 kilometres from Arlanda Airport (ARN), 30 kilometres from Bromma Airport (BMA) and 22 kilometres from central Stockholm.
 Public transport; buses run frequently from the commuter train station at Upplands Väsby (bus no 536 to Bollstanäs, 566 to Infra City or 530 to Kalhäll).


Stockholm Public Transport - Journey Planner <http://www.sl.se/Templates/SubStart.aspx?id=1906>
Taxi <http://www.taxi020.se/webpage.aspx?ID=4787>

Destination information:
http://www.respoint.se/itp/event/inc1/9476  
 
 

 
Accomodationtion:
Hotel rooms have been reserved for delegates convenience according to the listing below.
A shuttle bus service will operate between the hotels and the conference venue in the morning and in  the evening. Approximately transit time:    
Hotels near Arlanda Airport - Infracity 20-25 minutes
Hotel Sergel Plaza/Stockholm City - Infracity 45-60 minutes
time is depending on trafficjam.
   
        
 Delegates are responsible for their own hotel reservations and are advised to book before April 15th since June is a very busy tourist season in Stockholm. The Stockholm Marathon will take place on the 5th of June, the 6th of June is Sweden's National Day and Royal wedding of the Crown Princess of Sweden will take place 19th June.    
   



   
Hotels in Upplands Väsby - Conference Venue    
   


Scandic Infra City <http://www.scandichotels.com/en/Hotels/Countries/Sweden/Stockholm/Hotels/Scandic-Infra-City>
Kanalvägen 10
194 61 Upplands Väsby
Phone +46 (0)8-517 344 00
E-mail
infracity@scandichotels.com
 
    
For roomreservation please click on the following link roomreservation <http://www.scandichotels.com/dlredirect?NC=BAME100605&DLPAGEID=12474&cmpid=ccinfracity100605>  and make your reservation on-line or call the hotel and refer to the booking number: BAME100605 (you will then be connected to their reservation department).    
        
June 05-12 Price/per night  Last day for booking     
Standard Single room SEK 1650 incl breakfast and VAT  May 21, 2010     
Superior Single room SEK 1950 incl breakfast and VAT  May 21, 2010     
        
With the largest indoor tropical garden in Scandinavia, the Scandic Infra City hotel is 15 minutes from Arlanda Airport and 20 minutes from central Stockholm. Enjoy 320 hotel rooms and 25 meeting rooms with wireless Internet access. Take a dip in the indoor pool or sample contempor-ary Swedish cuisine at the restaurant. Scandic Infra City is eco labelled with the Swan label.      


   
   
Hotel in Stockholm City    
   


    
Scandic Sergel Plaza <http://www.scandichotels.com/en/Hotels/Countries/Sweden/Stockholm/Hotels/Scandic-Sergel-Plaza>
Brunkebergstorg 9
103 27 Stockholm
Phone +46 (0)8-517 263 00
Reservations +46(0)8-517 262 80
E-mail
sergel.plaza@scandichotels.com
 
    
For roomreservation please click on the following link roomreservation <http://www.scandichotels.com/dlredirect?NC=BAME100605&DLPAGEID=12387&cmpid=ccsergel100605> and make your reservation on-line or call the hotel and refer to the booking number: BAME100605 + Sergel Plaza.    
           
June 04-12 Price/per night  Last day for booking     
Standard Single room SEK 1690 incl breakfast and VAT May 21, 2010    
Superior Single room SEK 1990 incl breakfast and VAT May 21, 2010    
After March 12 rooms can be booked subject to availability.
   
The Scandic Sergel Plaza hotel with 403 hotel rooms enjoys a central Stockholm location by Sergels Torg close to the Railway station and in the middle of the shopping district. The hotel has 2 restaurants and a Spa & Fitness gym located in the same building as the hotel. Scandic Sergel Plaza is eco labelled with the Swan label.     
              
     


  
   
Hotels near Arlanda Airport    
   


Connect Hotel <http://www.connecthotel.se/default.asp?id=arlanda-en>
Lindberghs Gata 10
195 05 Arlandastad
Phone + 46 (0)8 591 200 50
E-mail
arlanda@connecthotels.se      
For roomreservation please call the hotel and refer to the booking number: INC1 080834    
                         
June 04-07 Price/per night  Last day for booking     
Standard (Single room) SEK 595 incl breakfast and VAT May 21, 2010    
            
June 07-10 Price/per night  Last day for booking     
Standard (Single room) SEK 895 incl breakfast and VAT  May 21, 2010     
        
The Connect Hotel is a small hotel 4 km from Arlanda Airport, with 85 rooms, restaurant, bar, sauna, wireless internet and meetingroom for 14 persons. In the lobby you find the Living Room with open fireplace and a big screen-TV. The hotel is heated using geothermal heating in combination with solar cells and has received the Green Kee Award.    
              

Quality Airport Hotel <http://www.qualityarlandastad.com/eng/index.asp>
Cederströmsslinga
195 86 Arlandastad
Phone + 46 (0)8-595 111 11
E-mail
q.arlanda@choice.se
For roomreservation please call the hotel and refer to the booking number: 2007 R 163630
   
         
 
June 04-07 & 11-12 Price/per night  Last day for booking     
  
Standard Single room SEK 645 incl breakfast and VAT  On request     
  
Superior Single room SEK 845 incl breakfast and VAT  On request     
            
  
June 07-11 Price/per night  Last day for booking     
  
Standard Single room SEK 1145 incl breakfast and VAT  On request     
  
Superior Single room SEK 1345 incl breakfast and VAT  On request     
        
Quality Airport Hotel is is a modern business hotel with 228 comfortable rooms and excellent conference facilities. Free shuttle service to/from Arlanda Airport (ARN) which is 4 km away. The hotel has a restaurant, bar, Guest Office with internet access, fully equipped gym and a relax department complimentary. A shopping mall is situated just next to the hotel.
There is a project in progress leading to the ISO 14001 accreditation of all Choice hotels before the end of 2009.
    
              
   


  
   
Other Hotels in Stockholm City    
   


    
No reservation are made. For room reservation please contact the hotel    
          
   
Sheraton Hotel <http://www.sheratonstockholm.com/>  Grand Hotel <http://www.grandhotel.se/in_english/default.asp>   Nordic Light Hotel <http://www.nordiclighthotel.se/en/Experience-the-hotel>       
        
   


 
   
Cancellation policy    
   


    
Once a roomreservation is made, room can be cancelled until May 30 without cancellation fee. Rules for subsequent cancellation is obtained from the hotel at time of booking.


- - - -    
  
 
Useful Links    
        
        
   
UNEP Mercury programme <http://www.chem.unep.ch/mercury/default.htm>    
        
   
UNEP Chemicals INC1 website <http://www.unep.org/hazardoussubstances/Mercury/Negotiations/INC1/tabid/3324/language/en-US/Default.aspx>    
        
   
The Nordic Council of Ministers <http://www.norden.org/en?set_language=en&-C=>    
        
   
Ministry of the Environment <http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/2066>    
        
   
More information about Sweden <http://www.sweden.se/>    
        
   
Nordic Council of Ministers - mercury <http://www.norden.org/mercury>    
        
   
Swedish news in English <http://www.thelocal.se/>    
        
   
Sweden's official website for tourism and travel information <http://www.visitsweden.com/>    
        
   
City of Stockholm <http://international.stockholm.se/>      
        
   
Stockholm visitors guides <http://beta.stockholmtown.com/en>    
        
   
Stockholm - European Green Capital 2010 <http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/green_cities_submenu/awardwinner_2010.html>    
        
   
Swedish Migration Board, information on entry visas <http://www.migrationsverket.se/info/140_en.html>