ICANN in Egypt
The Government of Egypt has the honor to host, in Cairo, the next ICANN meeting, from 2 to 7 November 2008, at InterContinental CityStars hotel. The ICANN meeting was previously hosted in Cairo in March 2000, by the Egyptian Ministry of Communications, the Cabinet Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) and the Internet Society of Egypt.
The Internet has always been a priority for the Egyptian government, as it is considered the platform for socioeconomic development; for innovation and education and for better health and government services. Thanks to several efforts and initiatives exerted in a public-private context, the Internet in Egypt is witnessing a tremendous growth rate, demonstrating a strong potential in one of the most active ICT sectors in the region.
It is hence no coincidence that Cairo, on behalf of Africa, welcomes back the ICANN community on the ICANN’s 10th anniversary, to host its 33rd International Public Meeting and its third/annual meeting for this year.
The Egyptian ICT; a Booming Sector
The Internet is a major aspect of development in the Egyptian ICT sector, which has become one of the most extensive, active and growing sectors on the regional level. It is a role model of deregulation, privatization, and public-private partnerships with sustained annual growth exceeding 20%. Thanks to the comprehensive and coherent vision for the development of the sector that was formulated through a multi-stakeholder process of consultation, the ICT sector has been transformed to a revenue creating sector for public proceeds that has reached 4.18 billion US dollars from IPOs and licenses in less than two years.
Efforts gave birth eventually to an enabling investment environment supported by balanced and diligent regulatory policies; making the number of ICT companies working in Egypt increase to 2310 in 2007 against 226 in 1999. Many reputable multinationals have established presence in Egypt. Companies from Europe, North America, India, and
China have established software development centers, technical support Call Centers and research facilities as well as business process and knowledge process operations. The flow of FDI however, is not only incoming, Egyptian ICT companies are starting to invest in Europe, Africa and Asia and will continue to do so as more business opportunities emerge.
Benefiting the Egyptian citizen from the deployment and growth of ICT in Egypt is another substantial objective of ICT for development strategy. This is attained through successful partnership with the private sector in a number of initiatives spearheaded by Egypt’s Education Initiative, e-health programs and the Arabic e-content initiative.
The Glamorous Cairo
Cairo, “Al Qahira” in Arabic, which means «The Vanquisher» or «The Triumphant»; is an ancient city built by the Fatimid leader Jawhar Al Siquilly in 969. Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the cultural and scientific capital of the Arab and Islamic world. It has a metropolitan area population of about 17.285 million people, thus counting as the sixteenth most populous metropolitan area in the world and the most populous one in Africa. The city celebrates its national day on the 6th of July and its flag carries Al Azhar mosque, a landmark of Egyptian culture and Islamic religion.
Cairo is located on the banks and islands of the River Nile in the north of Egypt. Cairo covers almost 214 km2 and stretches to about 41.542 km.
The oldest part of the city is on the east of the river. There, the city gradually spreads west, engulfing the agricultural lands next to the Nile. These western areas are marked by wide boulevards, public gardens, and open spaces. The older eastern section of the city is very different; it is filled with small lanes and crowded tenements. While western
Cairo is dominated by the government buildings and modern architecture, the eastern half is filled with hundreds of ancient mosques that act as landmarks.
On the outskirts of Cairo, stands the Giza Plateau, the site of some of the most impressive ancient monuments of the world, including the Great Sphinx, the Great Pyramids of Giza and a number of other large pyramids and temples.
Today, Greater Cairo encompasses various historic and touristic attractions as well as modern landmarks. Most famous among those are Saladin’s Citadel, Virgin Mary’s Tree, the Mosque of Amr Ibn Alaas, the Hanging Church and the Cairo Tower, in addition to the Egyptian museum and the historic district of Khan El Khalili.
(Source: Wikipedia encyclopedia)
The choice of the meeting venue reflects the efficiency that we are seeking. The venue guarantees comfort of the participants, luxury that adds to the success of the event and practicality that helps bring out the event in its best form.
In Cairo, no better venue satisfies the aforementioned criteria than the famous InterContinental CityStars Hotel, situated in the Metropolitan CityStars Complex in Nasr City.
InterContinental Cairo CityStars is located just seven minutes from Cairo International Airport and ten minutes from the Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Hotel is part of the Middle East’s largest retail and leisure complex, the new and exciting 780,000-square-metre CityStars Heliopolis development. Downtown Cairo is 25 minutes from the Hotel, and two championship golf courses are only 15 minutes away, while the famous Pyramids are a short 45-minute journey, which makes it a perfectly located venue for flexible leisure time as well.
| Hotel | Contact Info. |
InterContinentalCityStars***** Group Rates Available. | Tel: +202 24800100 Fax: +202 24800200 |
Group Rates Available. | Tel: +202 24 800500 Fax: +202 24 800556 |
| Concorde El Salam Hotel***** | Tel : +202 26224000 Fax : +202 26226037 |
| Sonesta Cairo Hotel & Casino***** | Tel: +202 22628111 |
| The Baron Hotel**** | Tel: +202 24199206 Fax: +202 24178595 |
| Le Méridien Heliopolis***** | Tel: +202 22905055 Fax: +202 22918591 |
Social Events
The ICANN meeting is planned to be an event where participants do not only meet to discuss key issues but also to strengthen bonds and ties of friendship. Invitees to the prestigious social events will enjoy the authentic Egyptian culture; where they will be surrounded by an enigmatic breeze of Egyptian history in the tremendous historic sites of Egypt. The combination of the Egyptian oriental atmosphere and sincere hospitality of the Egyptians coupled with the magical aura of Cairo nights attractions will mark the event so that participants will go safely to their homelands with unforgettable memories and professional gains.
More information on ICANN Cairo 2008 will be posted soon at:http://cai.icann.org/
Shopping & Entertainment
InterContinental Cairo CityStars offers a broad choice of dining options in its numerous restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, with a variety of menus and atmospheres, from casual settings to elegant dining.
This is not all what’s there, at CityStars complex much more entertainment is still to come. CityStars shopping complex is one of the biggest and finest in-town complex which offers a real mirror-image piece of all sorts of shopping centers and shops around Egypt including all international and Egyptian brands with a wide price-range and brand variety options.
For more information, kindly check: http://www.citystars.com.eg
Conferencing Facilities
As the winner of «Best Business Hotel in Cairo» for the second year by «Business Traveler», InterContinental Cairo CityStars offers 18 versatile conference and banqueting rooms, with floor space from 50 to 2200 square meters that can host a wide variety of events, from corporate gatherings to lavish social celebrations. Additional facilities include a fully equipped 24-hour Business Centre, state-of-the-art multimedia facilities as well as simultaneous translation facilities that could be arranged upon request.
The facilities offered by the venue simply provide the comfort and professionalism aspired for the ICANN working environment, and hence greatly contribute to the smoothness and success of the workflow, in addition to the ability to holding marvelous ceremonial and social events.
Special rates are offered to the ICANN meeting participants at InterContinental CityStars Hotel.
For more comfort of ICANN Delegates, adjacent to the venue is the 330 room Holiday Inn Cairo CityStars. The Holiday INN offers guests an intimate and sophisticated venue for both business and leisure. It has all the services and amenities guests want and the value they expect. Holiday Inn is the perfect choice for both business and leisure travel needs. With nearly 1,500 Holiday Inn hotels around the world, Holiday Inn remains the most popular hotel brand.
Transportation and Shuttling Services
Cairo is connected with a network of buses, metro and subway that run until the late hours of the night. Taxi and Limousine services are available at the airport, or requested by phone.
Shuttling services will be available from and to the Airport and between the venue and other official hotels.
Cairo Airport and Official Carrier:
Egypt enjoys a central location to most destinations. Cairo inter-national airport receives flights from most international carriers and is thus connected by direct flights to most major cities around the world. For more information, kindly check:
http://www.cairo-airport.com
Egyptair is the official carrier of the ICANN Cairo 2008 Meeting. For more information on Egyptair, kindly check:http://www.egyptair.com.eg