|
 The
Montreal Protocol at Work showcases news related to the implementation
of this multilateral environmental agreement. It highlights the
achievements, outputs and progress made by the Protocol's "implementation
community", which includes National Ozone Units, bilateral
agencies, the Implementing Agencies, the Ozone and Multilateral
Fund Secretariats, and others involved in projects and activities
"on the ground" (see Objectives).
Submission
of news items and articles are welcome at any time.
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20th
Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol -
Scientific Symposium: “Ozone Depletion: from its discovery
to Envisat and Aura”
23-26 September
2007 | Athens
At the invitation of UNEP,
WMO, EESC, IO3C, the Academy of Athens, the Biomedical Research
Foundation, Academy of Athens, and the National Observatory
of Athens, a core group of speakers who have played an important
role in the success of the Montreal Protocol from its very
beginning, gathered in Athens, to present state of the art
scientific results and discuss the success of the Montreal
Protocol implementation. Read
the Statement
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Partners to the Green Customs Initiative receive prestigious
20th Anniversary Ozone Protection Award
20 September 2007|
Montreal
The Green Customs Initiative
was today honoured with the prestigious Ozone Protection Award
in the category of 'partnerships' on the occasion of the 20th
Anniversary of the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances
that Deplete the Ozone Layer. |
Vacancy
Announcement: Information Officer (P-4) - Paris
17 October 2007 | UNEP
This officer, a member
of UNEP's Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) team, will be
responsible for overseeing all information exchange activities
within UNEP's Work Programme under the Multilateral Fund, including
the development and delivery of timely, high-quality products
and services to support developing country compliance with the
Montreal Protocol. Closing date for applications: 16 December
2007
Vacancy
Announcement on UN Galaxy |
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Train-the-Trainers in Good
Practices in Refrigeration 
19 May 2007 |
UNEP DTIE-CAP-ROAP
Kabul, Afghanistan-The first Train-the Trainers in Good Practices
in Refrigeration was jointly organized by National Ozone Unit-National
Environmental Protection Agency (NOU-NEPA), United Nations
Environment Programme, Division of Technology, Industry and
Economics-Compliance Assistance Programme- Regional Office
for Asia and the Pacific (UNEP DTIE-CAP-ROAP) and Deutsche
Gesellschaft fur Technische (GTZ). Under the South-south cooperation,
a Farsi speaking refrigeration expert from Iran assisted in
the translation and facilitation of the training...
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Post
Meeting Summary of Decisions of the 51st Meeting of the Executive
Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation
of the Montreal Protocol
23 March 2007
| Multilateral Fund Secretariat
The 51st Meeting of the
Executive Committee, which took place in Montreal from 19
to 23 March 2007, was attended by the representatives of the
14 Executive Committee member Parties and by participants
co-opted from 21 other countries (see attached list). Mr.
Philippe Chemouny of Canada presided over his first meeting
as Chair of the Executive Committee. The President and Vice-President
of the Implementation Committee of the Montreal Protocol,
three representatives of the Ozone Secretariat, representatives
of the implementing agencies and representatives of the Alliance
for Responsible Atmospheric Policy and Environmental Investigation
Agency (EIA) also attended the meeting.
The Executive Committee followed
its standard programme of work for the first meeting of the
year which included the consideration of business plans, evaluation
reports and the implementing agencies’ work programmes.
Business planning, the process of allocating financial resources
to Article 5 countries according to their compliance needs,
was especially important since the 2010 targets for CFC phase-out
were only three years away. A number of other issues were
addressed including the progress and finalisation of contracting
a consultant for the study on the treatment of unwanted ozone
depleting substances (ODS) and the terms of reference for
a study on administrative costs of implementing agencies beyond
2008.
At the 51st Meeting, the Executive
Committee approved investment projects and work programme
activities with a value of almost US $50.7 million, plus US
$3.9 million in support costs for implementing agencies, and
took a total of 39 decisions. Click
here, to read/download the most significant decisions and
discussions >>>
For further information, please
contact:
Julia Anne Dearing, Information
Management Officer
Secretariat of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation
of the Montreal Protocol
1800 McGill College, 27th floor
Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 3J6
Phone: +1-514 282-1122
Fax: +1 514 282-0068
Email: secretariat@unmfs.org
Website: www.multilateralfund.org
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Restoring
the Ozone Layer
12 April 2007
| Bhutan
Bhutan had exceeded its target
to reduce its annual import of ozone-depleting substances
(ODS) from 170 kilogrammes to
63 kilogrammes. Its target was to reduce annual import to
85 kilogrammes. In compliance with the Montreal Protocol,
the country was supposed to decrease its annual ODS import
by 50 percent. But Bhutan had reduced imports by 72 percent
a year.
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The
Multilateral Fund Eyes the 2010 Target
23 March 2007
| Multilateral Fund Secretariat
The Executive Committee
of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal
Protocol met last week to approve US $54.6 million for 32
developing countries to eliminate over 20,000 ODP of ozone
depleting substances (ODS). Projects approved by the Executive
Committee included US $24 million for China to dismantle CFC
production plants thus ending production of CFCs more than
two years ahead of the 2010 deadline for CFC elimination set
by the Montreal Protocol. Smaller projects in Bolivia, the
Seychelles, Paraguay and Zimbabwe received funding for their
plans to phase-out the use of CFCs in their refrigeration
servicing sectors, an area where success is directly related
to the achievement of the 2010 deadline.
In the context of its continuous financial planning process,
the Executive Committee established a number of specific priorities
for unallocated funds in its triennial budget including among
others, support for any new Parties to the Montreal Protocol
and any extra support needed for national ozone units in developing
countries. Another priority is accelerating the elimination
of CFC production and the World Bank will investigate the
possibilities of advanced CFC phase-out in countries like
Argentina and India. If the remaining CFC producer countries
were to agree to an accelerated plan, all CFC production in
developing countries could be completely eliminated well ahead
of the 2010 deadline. Cessation of CFC production is key to
reducing the market availability and increasing price of CFCs.
This will encourage users to switch to substitutes that do
not harm the ozone layer. Currently such substitutes are more
costly than CFCs.
Background information
The ozone layer which absorbs ultraviolet
radiation harmful to living organisms and human health, is
in danger from several chemicals currently used in industry
and agriculture such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons,
carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform and methyl bromide.
The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation
of the Montreal Protocol began its operation in 1991. The
main objective of the Multilateral Fund is to assist developing
country parties to the Montreal Protocol whose annual per
capita consumption and production of ozone-depleting substances
is less than 0.3 kg to comply with the control measures of
the Protocol. These countries are referred to as Article 5
countries.
The Fund is managed by an Executive
Committee chaired in 2007 by Mr. Philippe Chemouny of Canada.
The Committee is assisted by the Fund Secretariat which is
based in Montreal. Activities are implemented by four international
agencies (UNDP, UNEP, UNIDO, World Bank) and a number of bilateral
implementing agencies of donor countries. Responsibility for
overseeing the operation of the Fund rests with the Executive
Committee comprising seven members each from Article 5 countries
(China, Guinea, Jordan, Mexico, Sudan, Saint Lucia and Uruguay
in 2007) and non-Article 5 countries (Belgium, Canada, Czech
Republic, Italy, Japan, Sweden and the USA in 2007). Since
1991, the Multilateral Fund has approved activities including
industrial conversion, technical assistance, training and
capacity building worth over US $2 billion.
For further information, please contact:
Julia Anne Dearing
Information Management Officer
Secretariat of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation
of the Montreal Protocol
1800 McGill College, 27th floor
Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 3J6
Phone: +1-514 282-1122
Fax: +1 514 282-0068
Email: secretariat@unmfs.org
Website: www.multilateralfund.org
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Statement by
Steiner on the Publication of a Paper on Montreal Protocol
&
Climate Change
Statement by Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and
UN Environment Programme Executive Director, on the Publication
of the Scientific Paper
The Importance of the Montreal Protocol in Protecting
Climate Change
5 March 2007- I welcome today's publication of research underlining
the important contribution to combating climate change made
by the parallel push to reduce chemicals that damage the ozone
layerthe Earths protective shield.
The climate dimension of the Montreal Protocol is a story
that is not widely known,
but one that deserves more consideration by the communities
involved in ozone
and climate protection.
I believe the study, in the Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences,
underscores the simple fact that well-devised action to address
one area of
environmental concern can have multiple environmental benefits
across numerous
others.
It also highlights that calculating the costs of environmental
action, based on narrow
economic criteria, often fails to capture the wider economic
opportunities and
benefits that are likely to emerge.
The scientists from the Netherlands and the United States
have for the first time in
detail calculated the contribution to climate protection from
the phasing out and
reduction of chemicals like chloroflurocarbons (CFCs).
The chemicals, once commonplace in products like hair sprays
and fridges, deplete
the thin layer of ozone gas that filters out damaging levels
of ultra violet light.
CFCs, along with a wide range of other ozone depleting substances,
are being
successfully phased out, reduced and controlled under the
1987 Montreal Protocol
established under the auspices of UNEP. A Multilateral Fund
has been created to
help developing countries meet their compliance commitments
with this treaty.
The researchers point out that repair of the ozone layer is
not the only benefit
emerging from the Montreal treaty.
They calculate that, over the period 1990 to 2010, the level
of reductions will also
equate in climate terms to the equivalent of eight Gigatonnes
of carbon dioxide a
year.
In comparison the Kyoto Protocolthe climate emissions reductions
treaty and widely
understood as a first step towards even bigger emission reductions
necessaryis
scheduled to deliver cuts in greenhouse gases equivalent to
two Gigatonnes
annually over the same period.
Guus Velders of MNP, the Netherlands Environmental Assessment
Agency, and
colleagues believe the ozone layer protection treaty can contribute
even more to
combating climate change.
Some of the chemicals, introduced as alternatives to CFCs,
contribute to climate
change themselves, while others contribute through chemical
byproducts during the
the production process. Such chemicals include HCFCs and HFCs.
The researchers suggest that a combination of accelerated
phase-out, the
introduction of further alternatives with low greenhouse gas
characteristics and
relatively small changes in industrial practises, could deliver
further climate benefits
equivalent to somewhere over one Gigatones of carbon dioxide.
When this climate dimension is taken into consideration, the
Montreal Protocol -
which is already considered to be a highly-effective treaty
that is achieving its
objective is even more cost-effective because of this collateral
climate benefit. This
is a particularly important message coming as it does during
2007, a year that
marks both the 20th Anniversary of the signing of the Montreal
Protocol and the
10th Anniversary of the signing of the Kyoto Protocol.
I believe these kinds of findings should spur governments,
business, civil society
and individuals to look at the wider impacts of their decisions
including the costs
and the benefits.
Take health hazardous heavy metals like mercury for example.
Research indicates
that the biggest single contributor to new sources of mercury
in the global
environment and the food chain comes from the increased burning
of coal.
There is also some evidence that rising temperatures in freshwaters
like lakes is
causing old mercury, locked away in sediments, to be mobilized
and released back
into the environment.
Thus reducing emissions from coal-fired power stations can
not only contribute to
combating climate change but also contribute directly and
indirectly to reducing the
serious threats from mercury pollution.
I know and am sure that there are many, many more example
of these virtuous
circles positive cost benefit case studiesthat have been brought
into sharp focus by
this new research on the climate benefits of combating damage
to the ozone layer.
Notes to Editors:
Web address of the paper The importance of the Montreal Protocol
in protecting the
climate, Guus J.M.Velders, Stephen O. Andersen, John S Daniel,
David W. Fahey,
Mack McFarland.
http://www.eurekalert.org/bysubject/earthscience.php
MEDIA CONTACT : Anneke Oosterhuis, Press Office (Netherlands
Environmental
Assessment Agency), Bilthoven, the Netherlands; tel +31 30
274 3303,
email: anneke.oosterhuis@mnp.nl
Web address of Montreal Protocol http:www.ozoneinfo@unep.org
For More Information Please Contact Nick Nuttall, UNEP Spokesperson,
on
Tel: +41 79 596 5737 or E-mail: nick.nuttall@unep.org
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The first
Regional Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Montreal
Protocol
 Ashgabat,
Turkmenistan 28 February 2007- The first regional
celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol
took place in the capital of Turkmenistan on 26 February.The
year 2007 marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the
Montreal Protocol, which is widely recognized as the most
successful international environmental agreement to date.
Year-long celebrations are being planned by diverse organizations
and countries to commemorate this environmental milestone.
UNEP DTIE's OzonAction Branch is working in collaboration
with the National Ozone Units and other partners to promote
public awareness and media activities, particularly through
the Regional Networks of Ozone Officers organized by the Branch's
Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP).
Under OzonAction's initiative, every Regional Network meeting
in 2007 will begin with a special public function to highlight
the progress of the Protocol as well as remaining challenges.
The first day of the meeting was dedicated to the ceremony
in Ashgabat, the first in this series of 20th Anniversary
Network functions, took place just prior to the start of the
meeting of the Regional Network for Europe and Central Asia.
The event consisted of a children's orchestra, a huge balloon
arrangement depicting ozone molecule, participation by the
Minister of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan, the UN Resident
Representative in Turkmenistan, and representatives of UNDP,
UNEP, UNIDO, the Ozone Secretariat and Multilateral Fund Secretariat,
ministries of Turkmenistan, National Ozone Units of eleven
countries, and the Governments of Hungary and Czech Republic.
The event was followed by discussions on the future of the
Montreal Protocol, awareness raising activities planned in
2007 and a display of publications and videos.
Considering that Turkmenistan has recently returned to compliance,
the enthusiasm of local participants was very evident. The
region has demonstrated its commitment by phasing out of 82
% of the total consumption and 92% of the total production
of its ozone depleting substances. H.E. the Minister of Nature
Protection Mr. Makhtumkuli Akmuradov, who also chairs the
Interstate Commission of Sustainable Development of Central
Asian Countries, took a keen interest in the discussion regarding
the challenges ahead for the Montreal Protocol community.
H.E. Mr. Akmuradov committed that his country would ratify
further Montreal Protocol amendments.
The national television, newspapers, and radio stations were
extremely active in spreading the news about both the 20th
anniversary and the Network meeting. One national newspaper
carried a full-page special supplement. A series of television
interviews were telecast throughout the meeting. The President
of Turkmenistan personally enquired with the Minister about
the meeting and the celebrations.
In separate meeting with the UN Resident Representative and
the Minister of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan, UNEP, UNDP
and UNIDO discussed number of pilot ideas to deliver the assistance
to Turkmenistan as 'One UN'.
For further information, please contact:
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|
Mr. Vladimir Verveda
Coordinator of National Ozone Unit
Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan,
15 Bitarap Turkmenistan Str. 2-nd build. Room 96 744000 Ashgabat
Turkmenistan
Tel: (993 12) 35 70 91
Fax: (993 12) 35 74 93
Email: vverveda@online.tm
|
Mr. Halvart
Koeppen
Regional Officer (Paris)
UNEP DTIE OzonAction Programme
Tour Mirabeau
39-43 Quai Andre Citroen
75739 Paris Cedex 15
France
Tel: (33)1443714-32
Fax: (33)1443714-74
Email: halvart.koppen@unep.fr |
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Project
Sky Hole Patching Goes into Operation,
Tackling Illegal Trade in Ozone-depleting Substances
and Dangerous Waste
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|
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Bangkok/Beijing,1 September 2006- A project to curb
illegal trade in ozone depleting substances (ODS) and dangerous
waste in the Asia Pacific region went into operation today.
“Project Sky Hole Patching” is designed to monitor
the movement of suspicious shipments of ozone depleting chemicals
and dangerous commodities across several customs territories
in the region. It involves customs administrations and environment
authorities, the World Customs Organisation’s Regional
Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia and the Pacific (RILO
A/P), United Nations Environment Programme Regional Office
for Asia and Pacific (UNEP ROAP), the Compliance Assistance
Programme (CAP) of UNEP’s Division of Technology, Industry
and Economics, Basel Convention Regional Centers and other
key international organizations.
Moreover, it is estimated that some 300–500 million
tons of hazardous waste are produced annually. As regulations
governing the safe and proper disposal of hazardous waste
tighten, increasing handling charges and decreasing safe disposal
capacity, much of the waste is suspected to be dumped illegally.
During the 11th World Customs Organization Asia Pacific Regional
Conference of Heads of Customs Administrations held in Beijing
on 3-6 April 2006, the meeting unanimously agreed to initiate
"Project Sky-Hole-Patching". A proposed plan of
action of the project was adopted during the 4th Joint Southeast
Asia and Pacific/South Asia Customs-ODS Officers Cooperation
Workshop held in Bangkok on May 17-20 2006.
The operation will be conducted in two phases with the first
six-month phase focussing on ODS. The second phase will include
hazardous waste. RILO A/P and UNEP ROAP CAP will facilitate
the operation for the region in consultation with involved
regional and international institutions dealing with ODS and
dangerous waste.
For further information, please contact:
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Ms. Satwant Kaur, UNEP Regional Information Officer, Tel:
+ (66 2) 288 2127; E-mail: kaur@un.org
Mr. Atul Bagai, Regional Network Coordinator, South Asia,
UNEP CAP, ROAP, Tel: 662 288 1662, Email: bagai@un.org
|
Mr Rajendra Shende, Head
UNEP DTIE OzonAction Branch,
Tour Mirabeau
39-43, quai Andre Citroen
75739 Paris Cedex 15
France
Tel: +33 1 44 37 14 59
Fax: +33 1 44 37 14 74
Email: rmshende@unep.fr |
 Pour
Préserver la Couche d'Ozone :
Un atelier national sur les bonnes pratiques en matière de
réfrigération à Antananarivo
Sous les hospices du Ministère de l'Environnement, des Eaux
et Forêts (MINENVEF) de la république de Madagascar
et du Programme des Nations Unies pour l'Environnement (PNUE), un
atelier national pour la formation des techniciens frigoristes sur
les bonnes pratiques en réfrigération s'est tenu à
Antananarivo, Madagascar, du 30 Mars au 01 Avril 2006.
Les travaux de cet atelier ont été lancés
officiellement par Madame RAKOTOARISOA Jacqueline, Directeur Général
de l'Environnement, en présence du représentant du
Programme des Nations Unies pour l'Environnement et d'autres personnalités
du secteur public et privé telles que Monsieur NGOLO Gilbert,
le Directeur Général de l'Institut National de promotion
formation d'Antananarivo et Monsieur ANDRIAMANA TISOA de la Société
malgache d'équipement frigorifique représentant les
importateurs de Madagascar.
Un effectif de 25 personnes, venant des grandes villes de Madagascar,
a pris part à l'atelier de formation. Tous les participants
avaient une expérience professionnelle dans le domaine du
froid.
Cette formation a élargie les capacités des frigoristes
à utiliser rationnellement et à mieux gérer
les SAO, ainsi que les installations et les équipements qui
les contiennent. Leur compétence a été renforcée,
ce qui constitue un élément majeur dans la stratégie
d'élimination de ces gaz dans l'île de Madagascar.
A l'issue de cette rencontre, des
recommandations ont été formulées et chacun
des participants a reçu un certificat de participation.
La formation a été clôturée officiellement
par le Docteur Joelisoa RASIRARSON, Secrétaire Général
du Ministère de l'Environnement, des Eaux et Forêts.
For further information, please contact:
Mr Yamar Guissé
Programme Officer (RMP Implementation)
United Nation Environment Programme,
Regional Office Africa (ROA)
Room X-239, Ext: 3909
P.O.Box 30552 Nairobi, KENYA
Tel : (254) 20 623909
Fax: (254) 20 623928 / 623165
Email: yamar.guisse@unep.org
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Mr Rajendra Shende, Head
UNEP DTIE OzonAction Branch,
Tour Mirabeau
39-43, quai Andre Citroen
75739 Paris Cedex 15
France
Tel: +33 1 44 37 14 59
Fax: +33 1 44 37 14 74
Email: rmshende@unep.fr
|
On 6 February 2006 in the margins of the Ninth Special Session of
the UNEP Governing Council/ Global Ministerial Environment Forum,
Dubai, UAE, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Mrs. Annan visited
the Environmentally Sound Technologies Exhibition. At this occasion,
they also visited the Kenyan booth and received flowers cultivated
without Methyl Bromide.
Photo
courtesy of IISD/ENB-Leila Mead
UNEP DTIE OzonAction helped organize the delivery
of the ozone-friendly and pesticide-free roses from Kenya to Dubai.
The roses were distributed to ministers, high-level officials and
others attending the UNEP event in Dubai. One of OzonAction’s
objectives was to draw attention of the global community that sustainable
agriculture is possible and now a reality.
UNEP DTIE OzonAction promotes environment-friendly products and
practices, particularly the phase-out of ozone depleting substances
and related toxic chemicals.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. David M. Okioga
Coordinator, Kenya Ozone Office
National Environmental
Management Authority
PO Box 67839
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: (254 20) 51 2123
Fax: (254 20) 51 25 23
E-mail: dmokioga@wananchi.com
|
Mr Rajendra Shende, Head
UNEP DTIE OzonAction Branch,
Tour Mirabeau
39-43, quai Andre Citroen
75739 Paris Cedex 15
France
Tel: +33 1 44 37 14 59
Fax: +33 1 44 37 14 74
Email: rmshende@unep.fr
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| Senegal
Awards UNEP |
 |
During the 17th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on
Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, held in Dakar, Senegal from
12-16 December 2005, UNEP was awarded by the President of Senegal,
His Excellency Abdoulaye Wade and the Prime Minister, His Excellency
Mackay Sall, a 'Certificat d'Appréciation' (Certificate of
Appreciation) for its support to African countries in implementing
the Montreal Protocol. The certificate, in French, mentions the work
on capacity building and technology support by UNEP's OzonAction Programme,
the Ozone Secretariat and the Multilateral Fund Secretariat.
For further information, please contact:
Mr Rajendra Shende, Head
UNEP DTIE OzonAction Branch,
Tour Mirabeau
39-43, quai Andre Citroen
75739 Paris Cedex 15
France
Tel: +33 1 44 37 14 59
Fax: +33 1 44 37 14 74
Email: rmshende@unep.fr |
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| Mauritania
National Workshop on Good Practice in Refrigeration |
 |
The Government of Mauritania in Collaboration with UNEP organised
a National Workshop
on Good Practice in Refrigeration for refrigeration technicians (29
November - 02 December 2005) in Nouakchott. Twenty technicians attended
the workshop and received training in order to train the remaining
technicians in the country. The main objective of the workshop was
to reduce CFC emissions and consumption in the refrigeration sector
by improving the servicing of existing equipment.
The Government of Mauritania also took adventage of
the presence of UNEP to organise a half day training for customs
officers on the identification of ODS and ODS containers.
The Mauritania Refrigerants Management Plan (RMP)
was approved at the 41st Meeting of the Executive Committee of the
Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Jeremy Bazye
Regional Network Coordinator
UNEP-Regional Office for Africa (ROA)
Room A-118
PO Box 30552
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: 2542 624281
Fax: 2542 623165
Email: Jeremy.Bazye@unep.org
|
Mr Rajendra Shende, Head
UNEP DTIE OzonAction Branch,
Tour Mirabeau
39-43, quai Andre Citroen
75739 Paris Cedex 15
France
Tel: +33 1 44 37 14 59
Fax: +33 1 44 37 14 74
Email: rmshende@unep.fr
|
| Afghanistan
Trains Enforcement Officials to Combat Illegal ODS Trade |
 |
As part of its approach to provide expedited assistance to new Parties
to help them achieve compliance with their obligations under the Montreal
Protocol, UNEP’s Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) helped
strengthen the capability of the Government of Afghanistan to detect
and prevent illegal trade of ozone depleting substances (ODS) while
at the same time facilitating legal commerce involving ODS. This support
was provided in the form of a National Train-the-Trainers Workshop
for Customs Officers on Monitoring and Control of Ozone Depleting
Substances, organized by the UNEP CAP team for Asia and the Pacific
in Kabul on 28-30 November 2005, in cooperation with National Environmental
Protection Agency (NEPA) of Afghanistan, the General Directorate of
Customs, Ministry of Finance of Afghanistan and the National Academy
of Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN) of India. Thirty-two Afghan
customs officers, 7 trade officers, 3 environment officers received
this specialized training, as well as one of their Customs officer
colleagues from across the border in Pakistan.
The Government of Afghanistan continues to provide high-level political
commitment to compliance with the Montreal Protocol. This was evident
in the participation of Mr. Bismillah Kamavi, Director General,
General Directorate of Customs of Afghanistan, who opened the workshop
and highlighted the role played by customs officers in environmental
security.
The workshop provided the participating front-line enforcement
officers with the skills necessary to monitor and control the imports
of ODS products and ODS-using equipment, as well as issues on regional
cooperation and Green Customs Initiative.
Mr. Dost Mohammed Amin, Deputy Minister of NEPA, Afghanistan exchanged
his views with delegates from UNEP, NACEN and Pakistan. Mr.Asad
Sakhi Farhad, Deputy Minister of Finance of Afghanistan distributed
the certificates upon completion of the workshop to the participants
in the closing ceremony and expressed his appreciation to UNEP for
organizing this workshop in Afghanistan.
The participants recommended that the draft licence system and
related regulation will be promulgated as soon as possible, and
ODS identifiers would be equipped in main customs check points shortly.
They highly appreciated this workshop and expressed the desire for
more workshops or seminars in the near future to assist their capacity
building and enforcement activities.
Following up to commitments made during the Teheran Dialogue, Iran
provided a refrigerant identifier to Afghanistan as part
of their assistance to a new Party, and
Pakistan shared its experience in licence systems in this workshop.
Regional cooperation was emphasised in the workshop and will be
pursued further during a trilateral meeting between Afghanistan,
Pakistan and Iran being coordinated by UNEP in the coming two months.
See also the Press
Release issued by UNEP.
For further information,
please contact:
Mr. Asif Zaidi, United Nations Environment
Programme Manager, Ministry of Irrigation, Water Resources
and Environment Darusalam, Kabul,
Afghanistan
Tel: (93(0)79 325 678/70 276 431
Fax: 1 775 458 0138
Email: asif.zaidi@unep.ch
|
Ms. Ludgarde Coppens
Policy and Enforcement Officer
UNEP ROAP - Compliance Assistance Programme
United Nations Building, Rajdamnern Ave.
Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: +66 2 288 1679
Fax: +66 2 280 3829
Email: coppensl@un.org
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|
Crown
Prince Opens South Asia Ozone
Officers' Meet
|
|
Kathmandu, Oct. 3 - His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paras Bir
Bikram Shah Dev inaugurated a four-day meeting of South Asia Network
of Ozone Officers and a two-day Thematic Meeting on Challenges to
Phase out methyl bromide amidst a function here today.
Her Royal Highness Crown Prince Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah was also
present on the occasion.
Representatives from 13 member countries of the network and the
United States of America, Japan, Australia, Germany and other Implementing
Agencies of the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol are taking
part in the meeting organized by Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology
with support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Regional Office for Asia & Pacific/OzonAction Programme.
On the occasion, Their Royal Highnesses granted collective audience
to representatives of various international non-government organizations
and foreign guests.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Vice Chairman of the Council
of Ministers Bista said Nepal is concerned about the production,
maximum use and transfer of ozone layer depleting substances.
Mrs. Monique Barbut, Director of UNEP's Division of Technology,
Industry and Economics said as per the commitments made at the global
level the role played by Nepal in stopping the use of harmful chemicals
is laudable.
Director General of Nepal
Bureau of Standards and Metrology Shreekrishna Shrestha said significant
works have been done since the constitution of the National Ozone
Unit in 1996.
For further information, please contact:
Dr Sita Ram Joshi
Chief Metrologist, Chief NOU
Nepal Bureau of Standards & Metrology
Ministry of Industry
P O Box 985
Balaju, Kathmandu
Nepal
Tel: (9771)356 672/350 818/533 179 (R)
Fax: (9771) 350 689/533 179
Email: ozone@ntc.net.np
OR nbsm@nbsm.gov.np
|
Mr. Atul Bagai,
Regional Coordinator (Networking),
South Asia,
Compliance Assistance Programme,
Regional Office of Asia and Pacific, UNEP
Bangkok
Tel: +66 2 288 1662
Email bagai@un.org
|
| Airlines
Chart a New Course to Manage Halons for Critical Fire-fighting
Applications |
|
28 September, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
- For the first time airlines and airport authorities based
in developing countries have met with counterparts and experts
from developed countries to consider long-term options to manage
dwindling stocks of halons used for onboard and ground fire
protection. As a result of this roundtable meeting, the airlines
agreed to examine their current and future halon use and consider
applying the concept of "halon banking" to manage
their critical applications over the next 20-30 years.
Halons are found in aircraft cabin interiors and airframes,
engines, cargo bays and airport ground facilities worldwide.
In some key applications, notably on planes, they play a critical
safety role and are currently the only fire protection option
available. However, due to their destructive effect on the ozone
layer, countries of the world are progressively phasing out
halons under the Montreal Protocol.
The Manama roundtable meeting was convened under the patronage
of Bahrain's Ministry of Transportation Civil Aviation Affairs
and organized by the UNEP ROWA CAP team. Five international
airlines participated: Air India, British Airways, Garuda Indonesia
Group, Gulf Air, JAT Airways and Trans Mediterranean Airlines.
British Airways, which has already made substantial progress
in replacing these ozone-depleting chemicals in many of its
operations, and Garuda, which operates Indonesia's national
halon bank, shared their experiences and strategies with the
other airlines. They were joined by Co-Chairs of the Halon Technical
Option Committee (HTOC), a representative of the International
Air Transport Association (IATA), representatives of several
national halon banks and National Ozone Officers from the region.
The roundtable participants drafted an action plan to address
their future strategic needs related to halon banking, and established
an informal information network to share ideas and best practices
between themselves on the halon issue. As a next step, Gulf
Air in cooperation with UNEP and HTOC plan to organize a meeting
with aircraft manufacturers and aviation authorities in the
Gulf region. UNEP and HTOC hope to organize roundtables in other
regions in 2006 to encourage airlines based in other developing
countries to pursue halon bank management strategies.
For further information, please contact: |
Mr Fareed Bushehri,
Programme Officer - Halon Phase Out
Compliance Assistance Programme, OzonAction
United Nations Environment Programme,
Division of Technology Industry and Economics (UNEP DTIE)
Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA)
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
Tel: +973 17812770
Fax: +973 17825111
Email: fareed.bushehri@unep.org.bh
|
|
South
America Workshop to identify Commerce Routes amongst CFCs producing
and consuming countries on Ozone Depleting Substances La Paz,
Bolivia, 30 August - 1st September 2005
|
|
The United Nations Environment
Programme, Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean
(UNEP/ROLAC) through the Montreal Protocol Compliance Assistance
Programme and the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Planning
through its Ozone Governmental Commission organized the "Sub-regional
meeting to identify trading routes for Ozone Depleting Substances
amongst CFCs producing and consuming countries in South America"
this meeting was held in La Paz, Bolivia on August 30 to September
1st, 2005.
This meeting was attended by national ozone officers as well
as customs authorities; the main purpose of this meeting was
to identify the necessary actions to prevent and control the
illegal trade of ODS in South America.
The activity is aimed to strength cooperation links among country
borders and refreshes Montreal Protocol awareness among the
Custom Officers of the region. There still remain additional
ODS licensing systems to be implemented taking account all requirements
of Montreal Protocol Amendments and Decisions of the Meetings
of the Parties. In this regard the Compliance Assistant Programme
(CAP) will continue supporting countries to strengthen the regulatory
framework of Montreal Protocol and its Amendments in order to
achieve and sustain compliance. This will also require the enhanced
exchange and access of the information regionally and globally,
to increase systematization on the implementation of control,
especially in the secondary custom zones by identifying ODS
producers, consumers and traders, as well as location, type
and magnitude of ODS use.
For further information, please contact: |
|
Mirian Vega
Regional Officer (Networking)
UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC)
Boulevard de los Virreyes 155
Lomas de Virreyes
CP 11000 México D.F
Mexico
Tel. +52 55 52 02 48 41 Ext: 510
Fax. +52 55 52 02 09 50
Email:
mirian.vega@pnuma.org
|
Ing. Alex Suárez
Irusta
Coordinator Comisión Gubernamental del Ozono (COGO)
Ministerio de Desarrollo Sostenible y Planificación
Av. Mariscal Santa Cruz 1092 esquina Oruro
Edificio Ex Comibol, Planta Baja, Of. Programa Ozono
La Paz, Bolivia
Tel: (591-2) 331 884
Fax:(591-2) 331 884
Email: ozonobolivia@mdsp.gov.boOR
alekzbo3@mdsp.gov.bo
|
International
Workshop on methyl bromide alternatives for strawberry production,
Santiago de Chile,
Chile, 24 - 26 August 2005 |
|
The United Nations Environment Programme, Regional Office for Latin
America and the Caribbean (UNEP/ROLAC) through the Montreal Protocol
Compliance Assistance Programme organized the "International
Workshop on methyl bromide alternatives for strawberry production"
this meeting was held in Santiago de Chile, Chile on August 24 to
26, 2005.
This workshop was attended by the Environment National Commission
of Chile, Ministry of Agriculture of Chile, national ozone officers
and Directors of Phase-out Methyl Bromide Projects on Argentina, Bolivia,
Chile and Peru, MBTOC Co-chair, Mr. Nahum Marban, Methyl Bromide alternatives
for strawberry production in Spain Project's National Director, Mr.
José Manuel López Aranda. Equally this workshop was
enriched with the participation of the Chilean strawberry producers,
represented by more of the 50% of the producers of strawberry in Chile.
Because of the high participation of the Chilean sector producers,
the workshop was very successful. This sector was convinced about
the reliability upon which, Implementing Agencies, Ozone Secretariat
and Chilean government, are managing the Montreal Protocol. This workshop
will be the starting point on the searching on methyl bromide alternatives
on behalf of the producers; it will also contribute to an effectively
compliance return of Chile in 2005 and consecutive years.
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Ana Zúñiga
Ozone Programme Coordinator
Department of Pollution Control
National Commission for the Environment
Teatinos 254
Santiago de Chile
Tel: (562) 240 5700
Fax: (562) 241 1824
Email: azuniga@conama.cl
|
Mirian Vega
Regional Officer (Networking)
UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC)
Boulevard de los Virreyes 155
Lomas de Virreyes
CP 11000 México D.F
Mexico
Tel. +52 55 52 02 48 41 Ext: 510
Fax. +52 55 52 02 09 50
Email:
mirian.vega@pnuma.org
|
Bahamas
Training of Customs Officers on Control and Monitoring of ODS
Imports/Exports
Nassau, Bahamas, 22 - 26 August 2005
|
 |
The United Nations Environment Programme,
Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNEP/ROLAC)
through the Montreal Protocol Compliance Assistance Programme
organized the "Five days Training of Customs Officers on
Control and Monitoring of ODS Imports/Exports" this training
was held in Nassau, Bahamas, on August 22 to 26 of 2005.
Training was conducted over five days. The first three days
were used to conduct a train-the-trainers workshop for local
customs trainers, senior officers and relevant stakeholders,
and the preparation of a programme for a one-day training module
for use during Phase II of the Customs Training Programme. On
days 4 and 5 the local trainers delivered the training to fifty
participants comprising mainly of Customs officers at 25 per
day.
As a result of this training, important lessons learnt were
mostly the stakeholder involvement, wildest sector involvement
was achieved including other government agencies, highest level
ministerial support was provided, and an inclusion of a Module
to included other MEAS in implementation in the Bahamas were
achieved.
For further information, please contact: |
Mirian Vega
Regional Officer (Networking)
UNEP Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC)
Boulevard de los Virreyes 155
Lomas de Virreyes
CP 11000 México D.F
Mexico
Tel. +52 55 52 02 48 41 Ext: 510
Fax. +52 55 52 02 09 50
Email:
mirian.vega@pnuma.org
|
Ms. Coral Miller
Ozone Officer
Department of Environmental Health Services
Ministry of Health
P O Box N-8903
Nassau Court
Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: 1-(242) 326-7128 / 322 2845
Tel: 1-(242) 323-6223 / 323 3863
Email: cmiller@dehs.bs
OR cateleuth@htomail.com
|
| Sri Lanka's
and Maldives' NOUs Team Up to Address Compliance Challenges
|
 |
With the 85% reduction target for
CFC consumption less than 2 years away, National Ozone Units
(NOUs) are increasingly active in forming bonds with their peers
in neighboring countries to undertake innovative approaches
to meet the compliance targets of the Montreal Protocol. A good
example took place in Male, Maldives from 17-19 June 2005, when
the Ozone Officer from that country and his counterpart from
Sri Lanka convened an extraordinary meeting as part of "South-South
Assistance" facilitated by the UNEP DTIE OzonAction Programme
and UNEP ROAP Compliance Assistance Programme team.
According to MOP Decision XV/37, Maldives will be importing
ODS from 2006 to meet their domestic needs. Since Maldives is
a low-volume consuming country (LVC), import of ODS from large-scale
traders or producing countries is difficult. Therefore to comply
with the decision, under this cooperation, Sri Lanka will be
supplying small quantities of ODS to Maldives. Linked in this
way, it is essential for the NOUs of both countries to closely
cooperate and coordinate.
Noting the importance of mutual assistance within the sub-regional
framework, the two NOUs identified the procedures to initiate
and adopt harmonized legislative and regulatory mechanisms for
ODS imports and exports within the existing trade framework.
Regarding ODS import and export controls, the two countries
agreed to:
" Establish systematic information exchange between customs
authorities and the NOUs.
" Share their import and export registration forms for
further improvement at their respective ends and exchange the
information with the NOUs of exporting countries.
" Exchange information on licensed imports between the
two NOUs.
" Work with the CAP Policy and Enforcement Officer to analyse
and share information on exports from China and India in the
region with the data on imports.
Sri Lanka also proposed to share information on the development
of its database to facilitate information exchange on import
quotas, list of importers, licensing systems and their framework
of a national ozone network.
On the issue of capacity building under the Refrigerant Management
Plan (RMP)/Total Phase Out Management Plan (TPMP), Sri Lanka
will share its experiences with refrigeration technicians
from Maldives. Since Sri Lanka has already completed a major
part of its technician training, customs officers training
and has developed a certification system, the Sri Lankan NOU
will assist Maldives' NOU to develop a similar system within
the framework of the latter's national requirements. In addition,
a regular dialogue will be held between the two NOUs, to discuss
mobile air conditioning (MAC) training and awareness creation
programmes. Sri Lanka will also assist Maldives in developing
an information, education and communication (IEC) strategy
for compliance and to prepare their TPMP for meeting compliance
commitments till 2010.
For further information, please contact:
|
|
Mr. Mahmood Riyaz
Assistant Director Coastal Management
Ozone Officer
Ministry of Home Affairs, Housing and Environment
Environment Research Center
Jamaaludheen Building, Nikagasmagu Malè 20-05
Republic of Maldives
Tel: (960) 335 952
Fax: (960) 335 953
Email: erc@environment.gov.mv
Dr. W.L. Sumathipala
Director/National Coordinator,
Coordinator/Montreal Protocol
Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources
"Parisara Piyasa", 104 Robert Gunawardena Mawatha
Battaramulla, Sri Lanka
Tel: 94 11 2887455/2875381
Fax: 94 112871764/2875381/2887455
Email: sumathi2@sri.lanka.net
|
Mr. Atul Bagai,
Regional Coordinator (Networking), South Asia,
Compliance Assistance Programme,
Regional Office of Asia and Pacific, UNEP
Bangkok
Tel: +66 2 288 1662
Email bagai@un.org
|
25th Open-ended
Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol and Second
Extraordinary Meeting of the Parties,
27 June - 1 July 2005, Montreal, Canada
|
 |
| New
United Nations report on progress made in achieving Millenium
Development Goals includes ozone protection progress |
 |
| The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),
drawn from the United Nations Millennium Declaration, constitute
an unprecedented promise by world leaders to address, as a single
package, peace, security, development, human rights and fundamental
freedoms. A new United Nations report highlights progress achieved
worldwide towards meeting the MDGs by 2015, including MDG 7,
"Ensure environmental sustainability". Ozone protection
under the Montreal Protocol is identified as an area where progress
is being made towards achieving the MDG 7 targets.
25 international organisations contributed to this landmark
report, including Implementing Agencies of the Montreal Protocol's
Multilateral Fund: UNDP, UNEP and the World Bank.
The references to the Montreal Protocol include:
"Action to prevent further deterioration of the ozone
layer shows that progress is possible." (pg. 5)
"Overcoming these and other environmental problems will
require greater attention to the plight of the poor and an
unprecedented level of global cooperation. Action to halt
further destruction of the ozone layer shows that progress
is possible when the political will is there." (pg. 30)
"Through unprecedented global cooperation, use of chlorofluorocarbons,
the most widespread ozone-depleting substances, has been reduced
to one tenth of 1990 levels. This remarkable accomplishment
shows that progress on the environment can be achieved with
strong political will and with consensus on the problem and
on how to solve it. Though damage to the ozone layer is already
evident, recovery is expected within the next 50 years."
Click
here to access the full report
Click
here to read UNEP's press release from the regional launching
of the report
|
For further information,
please contact:
Nick Nuttall, UNEP Spokesperson,
Office of the Executive Director
Tel: +254 20 62 3084;
E-mail: nick.nuttall@unep.org
|
|
| UNEP
Wins 2005 USEPA Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award |
 |
|
On behalf of UNEP, Mr. Rajendra Shende accepted the USEPA
award for the 'leadership and innovation in assisting developing
countries' on 4 May 2005. See press release | English
| Francais
| Arabic
Ms. Drusilla Hufford -Director of Global programme Division
of USEPA while presenting the award said:
" The OzonAction Programme at UNEP is led by the Division
of Technology, Industry and Economics. This is the first time
that EPA has granted this award to a UN agency.
 For
all of us, the OzonAction Programme is a reliable source
of information on protecting the ozone layer. And for developing
countries, OzonAction serves as the critical link to scientific,
environmental, and technical information, without which
the Montreal Protocol would surely fail. The OzonAction
brings the community of environmental authorities, business
people, and the public together to get things done.
The OzonAction Programme has a long list of accomplishments
- some are summarized in your program. Let me call your attention
to one remarkable fact: "The Programme has benefited
well over 140 countries." This global reach helps make
the Montreal Protocol a global success. "
Rajendra Shende was the only recipient among others who was
invited to make the closing remarks of the ceremony. He said:
" The award to UNEP DTIE's OzonAction is also an award
to the developing countries who are doing extraordinary job
in complying with the Montreal Protocol. From Afghanistan
to Zimbabwe, the countries are struggling hard to protect
the Ozone Layer and save the life on the earth. OzonAction
has learned a lot from private sector and the governments
like USEPA who have done amazing jobs in phasing out Ozone
Depleting Substances. There are many assessments done in the
world on number of subjects. In case of the Montreal Protocol,
OzonAction was able to translate those messages contained
in the bulky assessment reports of the technology and Economic
Assessment Panel into doable and achievable actions. OzonAction
Team in its regional offices in Bangkok, Nairobi, Bahrain
and Mexico City as well as in Paris office is working relentlessly
to assist the small and large countries in Ozone layer protection
and taking actions that safeguards the Ozone layer and the
climate system. "
For further information, please contact:
|
Mr Rajendra Shende, Head
UNEP DTIE OzonAction Branch,
Tour Mirabeau
39-43, quai Andre Citroen
75739 Paris Cedex 15
France
Tel: +33 1 44 37 14 59
Fax: +33 1 44 37 14 74
Email: rmshende@unep.fr
|
USEPA
Award website |
| Compliance Assistance
Programme (CAP) Provides Support to Iraq in Joining the Ozone
Treaties |
 |
As part of its continuing
support to non-party countries in West Asia region, Compliance
Action Programme (CAP) invited Iraq and Palestine National Authority
(PNA) to join its "2005 Main Meeting of ODS Officers for
West Asia Network", which was held in Amman, Jordan on
26th through 28th April 2005.
During the Network Meeting a special discussion session was
organized for Iraq, to allow them the opportunity to benefit
from the presence of the Secretariats, Implementing Agencies
and CAP together, in order to further encourage Iraq to become
Party to the Ozone Treaties. Five high level officers, representing
relevant ministries and authorities from the country, formed
the Iraq delegation.
As a result of this discussion session, Iraq expressed willingness
to join the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol and explained
the circumstances that might delay their ratification. The representative
of the Ozone Secretariat offered full assistance to Iraq to
facilitate their joining process. Iraq will provide the Secretariats,
Implementing Agencies and CAP with latest list of contact focal
points in the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Environment
in order to facilitate opening the communication channels officially
with the new Iraqi government. CAP will follow-up with both,
the country and the Ozone Secretariat to expedite this action.
For further information, please contact: |
Abdulelah Al Wadaee,
ODS Regional Network CoordinatorUNEP/ROWA
P.O.Box: 10880, Manama,
Bahrain
Tel: (973) 17 812777
Fax: (973) 17 825110/1
E-mail: abdulelah.alwadaee@unep.org.bh |
|
| Kuwait Experience
in Combating Illegal Trade in Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)
|
 |
During the
Main Meeting of ODS Officers for West Asia Network that was
held in Amman, Jordan (26-28 April 2005), Kuwait shared its
experience in combating illegal trade in ODS and highlighted
a number of illegal trade cases that were seized due to alert
customs officers.
They attributed this alertness to the training received under
the Refrigerant Management Plan (RMP) Project and the national
legislations that are fully enacted. Kuwait emphasized that
such close monitor of ODS trade enabled the environmental authorities
to work with the stakeholders, in educating them on the adverse
effects of illegal trade in ODS on the economy
and the end users - where such acts allow contaminated and miss
labeled ODS to enter thecountry and result in damage to equipment
and unwanted economically hardship. This convinced an increasing
number of stakeholders to cooperate with the authorities, thus
resulting in curbing attempts of illegal trade in ODS. The case
presented by Kuwait raised the level of enthusiasm amongst other
countries in the region and encouraged some of them to come
forward and speak about their experiences and frustration of
some attempts of illegal trade on a national level. Compliance
Action Programme (CAP) will continue follow-up with countries
in the region to maintain the momentum of ODS Officers with
regards to combating illegal trade for the benefit of the ozone
layer as well as their national economies.
For further information, please contact: |
Abdulelah Al Wadaee,
ODS Regional Network CoordinatorUNEP/ROWA
P.O.Box: 10880, Manama,
Bahrain
Tel: (973) 17 812777
Fax: (973) 17 825110/1
E-mail: abdulelah.alwadaee@unep.org.bh |
|
| Round Table
Meeting on Chillers, Transition and Management of the Portion
of the Refrigeration Service Sector Made Up by Chillers in Article
5 Countries, Amman, Jordan, 24-25 April 2005 |
 |
A round-table meeting
"Trends in the Chillers Sector Vs. the Environmental Challenges"
was organized by United Nations Environment Programme/Regional
Office for West Asia (UNEP/ROWA), in Amman Jordan (24-25 April
2005) and participated by:
- West Asian countries; ODS Officers and national experts in
chillers sectoro Implementing Agencies; UNDP, UNIDO and the
World Bank. Representatives of the Chillers Industry, Globally
& Regionally (CARRIER, TRANE & YORK)
- Representatives to demonstrate case study from Turkey Chillers
Projet
- Representatives of regional ASHRAE chapters in West Asia.
The meeting was a good opportunity to share technical and
policy issues related to CFC consumption by the chillers sector,
as well as future of this cluster in light of the global environmental
challenges and latest decisions adopted by the Meeting of
Parties of Montreal Protocol. Based on the recommendations
of the round-table meeting, UNEP could provide services to
the countries and support demonstration activities by other
Implementing Agencies.
For further information, please contact:
|
Abdulelah Al Wadaee,
ODS Regional Network CoordinatorUNEP/ROWA
P.O.Box: 10880, Manama,
Bahrain
Tel: (973) 17 812777
Fax: (973) 17 825110/1
E-mail: abdulelah.alwadaee@unep.org.bh |
|
| |
|
| Green Customs
Training Workshop, 2-5 May 2005, Damascus, Syria |
 |
Under the Green Customs initiative
and in cooperation with the Division of Environmental Policy
Implementation (DEPI) and Division of Technology, Industry &
Economy (DTIE), Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) organized
a regional training workshop on Green Customs in parallel with
the Regional Workshop on Compliance with and Enforcement of
Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in Syria, 2-5 May
2005. Representatives of customs authorities in West Asia countries,
as well as representatives of free zones in the region, attended
the Workshop, to discuss compliance with MEAs and combating
illegal trade of ODSs and other environmentally sensitive commodities
controlled or banned by MEAs.
Participants of the two meetings joined some plenary sessions
for better synergy between implementing authorities, policy
makers and customs authorities. The discussions highlighted
lack of cooperation and coordination between the key enforcement
authorities, as well as lack of training customs officers serving
on the borders. It was recommended (amongst other constructive
proposals) to establish a National Coordination Committee relevant
to MEAs in every member state, which must include customs authorities.
Additionally, it was also recommended to conduct more national
& regional training to promote the Green Customs Initiative
in West Asia Region.
For further information, please contact: |
Abdulelah Al Wadaee,
ODS Regional Network CoordinatorUNEP/ROWA
P.O.Box: 10880, Manama,
Bahrain
Tel: (973) 17 812777
Fax: (973) 17 825110/1
E-mail: abdulelah.alwadaee@unep.org.bh |
|
| Kuwait, Train-the-Trainers Workshop
on Good Practices in Refrigeration, Phase I |
 |
| Under Phase I of the
project for Train-the-Trainers in Good Practices of Refrigeration,
Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) in cooperation with Environment
Protection Agency (EPA) of Kuwait, organized in March 2005 a
workshop for applied education and training in the premises
of the College of Technical Studies, Department of Refrigeration
and Air-Conditioning. Thirty selected trainers from the College
of Technical Studies, other institutes and the private sector,
were given a comprehensive 5-day theoretical and hands-on training
on good practices in refrigeration and air-conditioning and
new alternatives to Ozone
Depleting Substances (ODS), in order to facilitate conveying
their experience to the grayschool level in the servicing
sector. During the period of 2005-2006, this project is targeting
to train 400 technicians to enable Kuwait to fulfill its obligation
towards 2007 cut of CFCs.
For further information, please contact:
|
Abdulelah Al Wadaee,
ODS Regional Network CoordinatorUNEP/ROWA
P.O.Box: 10880, Manama,
Bahrain
Tel: (973) 17 812777
Fax: (973) 17 825110/1
E-mail: abdulelah.alwadaee@unep.org.bh |
|
| Environment
2005 Exhibition and Conference - Sustainable Transportation
in Developing Countries |
 |
The Environmental Research
and Wildlife Development Agency (ERWDA) hosted an "Environment
2005 Exhibition and Conference" in Abu Dhabi from 30th
January through 2nd February 2005, in which many important dignitaries
participated, including the Executive Director of United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP).
Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) introduced Ozone Depleting
Substances (ODS) and ODS substitute issues in this special pre-conference
organized by UNEP on sustainable transportation in developing
countries, highlighting evolution in non-ODS technologies in
the transportation system, as well as requirements of this sector
in the forth coming year before final phase-out. UNEP OzonAction
publications were introduced and well received during the exhibition
organized back-to-back with the conference. The Executive Director
of UNEP visited UNEP's booth at the exhibition and expressed
his appreciation of the integrated work of UNEP ROWA team, to
induce all related environmental concerns to the transportation
conference and exhibition.
For further information, please contact:
|
Abdulelah Al Wadaee,
ODS Regional Network CoordinatorUNEP/ROWA
P.O.Box: 10880, Manama,
Bahrain
Tel: (973) 17 812777
Fax: (973) 17 825110/1
E-mail: abdulelah.alwadaee@unep.org.bh |
|
|
