BANGKOK, 5 JULY 2019 – Delegates of the parties and representatives of the institutions of the Montreal Protocol, as well as other stakeholders including civil society groups and industry, gathered here this week for the 41st meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) of the parties to the Montreal Protocol. This annual meeting is critical for multilateral deliberations to prepare and refine discussion points on key issues for decisions to be taken at the 31st Meeting of the Parties due to be held in Rome from 4-8 November 2019.
Delegations convened to continue with the work of addressing the challenges of reducing ozone-depleting substances affecting global well health, including the unexpected global emissions of CFC-11, a study on replenishment of the Multilateral Fund, energy-efficient technologies on the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector, and the terms of reference for the 2022 quadrennial assessment by the scientific and expert panels of the Protocol, increasing emissions of carbon tetrachloride, among others.
On the unexpected emissions of CFC-11, the parties discussed a long list of issues that they will consider further while waiting for additional technical and scientific information from the expert panels. They also dived into the issues of monitoring, reporting and verification, compliance, licensing and illegal trade under the institutions of the Montreal Protocol.
The Executive Secretary of Ozone Secretariat, United Nations Environment Programme, Tina Birmpili, opened the meeting noting “The success of the Protocol will not be assessed solely on its past and present achievements but also on our ability to adapt to new information and decide on appropriate and commensurate response. We should respect the structures we have in place but should not be complacent when faced with new evidence and challenges.”
In closure, the parties look forward to their meeting in Rome, where they will address the above issues, and where they will participate at a high-level round table discussion on the contribution of the Montreal Protocol to the sustainable cold-chain to reduce food losses.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About UN Environment:
UN Environment is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. UN Environment works with governments, the private sector, civil society and with other UN entities and international organizations across the world.
About the Ozone Secretariat:
The Ozone Secretariat is the Secretariat for the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and for the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Based at the UN Environment offices in Nairobi, Kenya, the Secretariat functions in accordance with Article 7 of the Vienna Convention and Article 12 of the Montreal Protocol.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ms. Keishamaza Rukikaire, Head of News and Media, UN Environment Programme rukikaire@un.org
Ms. Stephanie Haysmith, Communications Officer, Ozone Secretariat stepahnie.haysmith@un.org
