The official activities of the sixth session of the Regional Conference on Population and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean will be held in-person at the Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel in Montevideo, from 18 to 20 August 2026.

Prior to the start of the Conference, the Private Sector Forum will take place on the afternoon of 17 August at the headquarters of the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) in Uruguay.

The purpose of this document is to provide delegations with useful information to facilitate their work at the meeting.

The meeting coordinators will be available to answer any questions concerning administrative, logistical or organizational matters, before or during the event.

For email requests, please copy the meeting coordinators.

1. General information on Montevideo

Geographical location

Montevideo, located on the southern coast of Uruguay, on the banks of River Plate, in South America, is the country's capital and largest city. Uruguay has a total surface area of approximately 176,215 km² and an estimated population of around 3.5 million, with Montevideo accounting for nearly one third of the country’s population. The country borders with Brazil to the north-east and Argentina to the west and has coastline along Río de la Plata and the Atlantic Ocean. Thanks to its strategic location, Montevideo has historically played a key role in regional trade and shipping, with a large natural harbour and an extensive coastline dotted by urban beaches.

Climate

The country’s location on the coast and predominantly flat terrain, result in a temperate and humid climate with well-defined seasons. The Southern Hemisphere summer extends from December to March, with warm temperatures typically between 25 °C and 32 °C, high humidity and occasional rain and thunderstorms. Winter, which runs from June to September, is cooler, with temperatures typically ranging between 8 °C and 16 °C, and is characterized by windy and overcast conditions. Autumn and spring, the transitional seasons, are characterized by variable and mild conditions. These conditions make Montevideo suitable for a wide range of activities year‑round, although seasonal variability is pronounced.

Useful information

• LOCAL CURRENCY:  The legal tender in Montevideo and throughout Uruguay is the Uruguayan peso. Unlike some other destinations, there is no fixed parity with the United States dollar and exchange rates therefore fluctuate according to market conditions. While the United States dollar serves as a reference currency and may be accepted in certain establishments, particularly in the tourism and real estate sectors, everyday transactions are carried out primarily in Uruguayan pesos.
  Currency exchange services are available at banks, authorized bureaux de change and some hotels. In Montevideo and most tourist spots, the majority of hotels, restaurants, shops and services accept international credit and debit cards, such as Visa and MasterCard, as well as electronic payment methods. However, it is always useful to carry some cash for small purchases or establishments that do not accept digital payment methods.
• LOCAL TIME:  Montevideo is in the Uruguay Standard Time (UYT) zone, UTC-3. The country does not currently observe daylight saving time, so the time remains the same throughout the year.
  Montevideo shares a time zone with other regional cities, including Buenos Aires, facilitating coordination in commercial, tourism, and communications activities across the Southern Cone.
• ELECTRICITY: In Montevideo, as throughout Uruguay, the standard voltage is 220-230 volts. The frequency is 50 Hz. Plugs and sockets are type C, F or L. International visitors are therefore advised to bring adapters and, depending on the equipment, voltage converters. 
• AIRPORT CHARGES: The airport charge is included in the airfare.
• TELEPHONE COUNTRY CODE: The international telephone code for Uruguay is +598. To make international calls to Montevideo, dial the international prefix, followed by the country code (+598) and then the local number. Landline numbers in Montevideo generally have eight digits; mobile numbers also have eight digits and do not require an additional area code for domestic calls. 
• OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Spanish is the official language of Uruguay. However, owing to tourism and international mobility, English and other languages are relatively common in tourism  and service related sectors.
   

2. Meeting venue

The official activities of the sixth session of the Regional Conference on Population and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean will take place in the Grand Ballroom  at the Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel, Plaza Independencia 759, Montevideo.

The hotel’s accessibility and sustainability policies are available on its official website, at https://www.radissonvictoriaplaza.com.uy/Varios/Politicas-de-Accesibilidad-y-Sostenibilidad-uc265.

The Private Sector Forum will take place at the headquarters of CAF in Montevideo, Uruguay, Ciudadela 1235 (between Reconquista and Camacuá streets).

Side events will be held at Torre Ejecutiva building, main entrance:  Plaza Independencia 710; secondary entrance: Liniers 1324.

3. Meeting coordination

The meeting is being organized by ECLAC. The contacts are:

• Luis Fidel Yánez (coordinación general)
  Secretario de la Comisión
  Oficina de la Secretaría de la Comisión
  CEPAL, Naciones Unidas
  Teléfono: (+56) 2 2210 2275
  Correo electrónico: luis.yanez@un.org,
  con copia a secretariadelacomision@cepal.org

• Simone Cecchini (consultas sustantivas)
  Director
  CELADE-División de Población de la CEPAL 
  Teléfono: (+56) 2 2210 2549
  Correo electrónico: simone.cecchini@un.org

• Luis Flores (acreditación)
  Asistente de Investigación 
  Oficina de la Secretaría de la Comisión 
  CEPAL, Naciones Unidas
  Teléfono: (+56) 2 2210 2084
  Correo electrónico: luis.flores@un.org

• Margarita de Igarzábal (temas logísticos)
  Supervisora interina  
  Unidad de Servicios de Conferencias 
  CEPAL, Naciones Unidas
  Teléfono: (+56) 2 2210 2588
  Correo electrónico: margarita.deigarzabal@un.org 

4. Hotel reservations

The ECLAC Conference Services Unit has reserved a block of rooms at special rates at the following hotels:

• Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel
  Block dates: 17 to 21 August 2026
  Block code: CRPD2026 (CEPAL). This code must be used when requesting accommodation.
  Block expiry date: 10 August 2026
  Special room rates: Single (US$ 129)/ Double (US$ 148)/ Suite (US$ 160). Rates are net, per night, and include buffet breakfast, access to the spa and Internet connection.
  Contact: Angel Bueno abueno@radisson.com.uy

• Hotel Cala di Volpe (Boutique Hotel)
  Block dates: No block dates; subject to availability
  Block code: CRPD2026 (CEPAL). This code must be used when requesting accommodation.
  Block expiry dates: No expiry dates; subject to availability
  pecial room rates: Single (US$ 105). Rates are net, per night, and include buffet breakfast and Internet connection.
  Contact: Claudio Eirin reservas@hotelcaladivolpe.com.uy

• Hotel Esplendor by Wyndham Montevideo Cervantes
  Block dates: 17 to 21 August 2026
  Block code: CRPD2026. This code must be used when requesting accommodation.
  Block expiry date: 17 July 2026
  Special room rates: Single (US$ 75)/ Double (US$ 83). Rates are net, per night, and include buffet breakfast and Internet connection.
   Contact: camila.negretto@wyndhamhoteles.com  / reservas@esplendorcervantes.com  

• Holiday Inn Montevideo by IHG
  Block dates: 17 to 21 August 2026
  Block code: CRPD2026 (CEPAL). This code must be used when requesting accommodation.
  Full credit card details will be required (card number, expiration date and security code) for reservations.
  Block expiry dates: 10 August 2026 (after this date, subject to availability)
  Special room rates: Standard single/double (US$ 79)/ Superior single/double (US$ 89). Rates are net, per night, and include buffet breakfast and Internet connection.
  Contact: María de los Ángeles Attadia reservas@himontevideo.com.uy

• Hotel Oxford
  Block dates: 17 to 21 August 2026
  Block code: CRPD2026 (CEPAL) .This code must be used when requesting accommodation.
  Block expiry dates: 17 July 2026 (after this date, subject to availability)
  Special room rates: Single (US$ 70)/ Double (US$ 80) / Triple (US$ 105). Rates are net, per night, and include buffet breakfast and Internet connection.
  Contact: Javier Bentancor reservas@hoteloxford.com.uy

• Hotel Aloft Montevideo
  Block dates: 17 to 21 August 2026
  Block code: CRPD2026
  Block expiry date: 31 July 2026
  Special room rates: Single (US$ 145). Rates are net, per night, and include buffet breakfast and Internet connection.
  Contact: reservas.montevideo@marriott.com

• NH Montevideo Columbia
  Block dates: 17 to 21 August 2026
  Block code: no code available, use link provided below.
  Block expiry date: 17 July
  Special room rates: Single USD 89. Rates are net, per night, and include buffet breakfast and Internet connection.
  Link for reservation: www.nh-hotels.com/es/eventsweb/cgw-cepal-naciones-unidas-nh-montevideo

Non-residents of Uruguay are exempt from paying value added tax (VAT).

An additional daily charge of US$ 1 per person applies to foreign visitors aged 11 years and over.

Reservations must be requested directly to the hotel of your choice, mentioning the block code, before the expiration date indicated. After that date, the hotel reserves the right to change the rate and cannot guarantee that rooms will be available.

To secure the special ECLAC rate, hotel reservations must be requested directly, not through agencies or other means. Participants are responsible for making their own reservations. You are advised to check that the hotel has processed your reservation and to request a reservation number or confirmation code.

A credit card number is required to hold the reservation.

5. Visa and entry requirements for Chile

Foreign visitors entering Uruguay must be in possession of a valid passport, generally with sufficient validity to cover the period of stay, and must comply with applicable immigration requirements, which vary according to nationality and purpose of travel. In many cases, nationals of the United States, Canada, the European Union and much of Latin America do not require a visa for short‑term tourist stays, subject to compliance with the conditions established by the Uruguayan authorities. However, nationals of some countries are required to obtain a visa prior to travel. Participants are therefore advised to verify the specific requirements in advance, according to their nationality and the purpose of travel.

Visitors must also comply with the immigration controls in force at the time of entry, which may include the presentation of additional documentation, such as proof of accommodation or return travel, as necessary.

For official and up‑to‑date information on the visa requirements to enter Uruguay, depending on nationality, visitors may consult the website of the Ministry of the Interior of Uruguay.

6. Transport from the airport to Santiago

Montevideo’s main airport is Carrasco International Airport, located approximately 18 km from the city centre. Visitors may travel to Montevideo by taxi —a safe and direct service available from the arrivals area— or car rental services available at the airport through international and local companies. Private transfers and shuttles can also be booked in advance through hotels or transport providers. Travel time to the city centre generally ranges from 25 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic.

In Montevideo, official taxis are easily identifiable and are available at designated pick‑up areas outside the terminals. These vehicles bear visible identification and are equipped with taximeters, ensuring a regulated and transparent fare calculation system. Ride-hailing applications also exist and offer additional alternatives for travel to the city from the airport.

Information on specialized transport services for persons with disabilities and older persons is available at the following links:

https://saferideuruguay.com/   

https://www.gub.uy/tramites/servicio-transporte-personas-movilidad-reducida

7. Registration

Online registration for participants will be available from 1 July to 12 August 2026 on the meeting website (https://crpd.cepal.org/6m/en).

After registration, the system will send an automatic confirmation of receipt. Once the registration request has been approved, a “confirmation of acceptance” email is sent, which must be presented along with an identification document when picking up credentials.

Online registration of government representatives does not exempt delegations from the formal requirement to provide official notification indicating the names of the head of delegation and of all accompanying members.       

Credentials may be collected in-person at the event venue on 17 and 18 August from 8.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2.30 to 5.30 p.m., and on 19 August from 8.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Credentials must be picked up in person, upon presentation of an identification document and the QR code provided with registration confirmation. For security reasons, participants will be required to wear the badges in order to attend meetings. Badges must remain visible during the meeting.

Participants are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of meetings in order to complete the accreditation process and United Nations security protocols.

8. Opening session

The opening session of the sixth session of the Regional Conference on Population and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean will take place at 4 p.m. on 18 August 2026 in the Grand Ballroom of the Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel.

9. Languages

The official language of the meeting will be Spanish, with simultaneous interpretation into English. Sign language interpretation will also be provided