CONFIDENTIAL
XCC(92)70
escalators and passenger lifts. The flow of pedestrian traffic is not expected to pose a problem because participants are unlikely to arrive at or to leave the plenary hall all at the same time. Many participants would have offices in the Convention Centre (Levels 4 to 7) and would be approaching the plenary hall on Level 5 from different directions. Moreover, the number of participants at the plenary sessions will be reduced considerably due to the concurrent holding of ancillary meetings and other activities of the Annual Meetings.
8
Given the likely staggered arrival and departure of the delegates, the different directions of travel and the smaller number involved (3 500 delegates compared to the 6 000 present at the Pavarotti concert held in February 1990 in the Lower Exhibition Hall), the question of escalator access to the plenary hall should not pose any major problems. Both the Bank/Fund and the Convention Centre have now confirmed that the Lower Exhibition Hall would be a suitable venue for the Opening Ceremony and the plenary sessions. The Convention Centre has also advised that the anticipated usage would be in line with the relevant Fire Services Department regulations.
9
As regards the question of whether an extension of the existing Convention Centre is needed for the hosting of the 1997 Annual Meetings, it may be noted that the Bank/Fund's technical mission conducted their preliminary feasibility study on the basis of the existing facilities at the Convention Centre and the two hotels. Their conclusion was that the existing facilities would be adequate for holding the Annual Meetings, provided that the question of providing some 750 temporary offices close to the plenary hall for use during the Annual Meetings was resolved satisfactorily. Discussion with the New World Group (owner of the Grand Hyatt and the New World Harbour View Hotels) and the management of the two hotels on the possibility of converting some of the hotel rooms into offices is in progress.
Issues To Be Raised With The Chinese Side
10
In memorandum XCC(92)35, Members were requested to advise on the line to take with the Chinese on matters relating to the planning of the Annual Meetings and the role to be played by Hong Kong. Some of these matters had in fact been raised earlier by the Secretary of the World
Executive Council
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