Chiang Mai, Thailand, 6 October 2022 ‒ National Ozone Officers (NOOs) in the South-Asia (SA) and Southeast Asia (SEA) Networks met from 3-5 October 2022 in Chiang Mai, Thailand to do some forward thinking about the sustainability of Montreal Protocol implementation. The joint plenary meetings featured engaging sessions where SA and SEA NOOs were actively involved and contributed to policy brainstorming and technical options in sustaining the HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) phase-out while preparing to meet obligations under the Kigali Amendment.
Fifty-nine participants (female 36, male 23) consisting of Ozone Officers from the SA-SEA Networks, Australia, and Germany (GIZ) as developed countries partners, the Ozone Secretariat, the Multilateral Fund Secretariat (MFS), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the World Bank attended the joint network meeting.
The MFS delivered a presentation on digesting key decisions taken at the 89th and 90th Meetings of the Executive Committee (ExCom). A robust discussion occurred on how these decisions impact each country, and it was stressed that country input is very important during the development of the Kigali HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) Implementation Plan (KIP) cost guidelines and countries are highly encouraged to provide their thoughts to ExCom members. The Ozone Secretariat provided key information on issues, contact groups, and conference room papers (CRPs) that will be considered at the 34th Meeting of the Parties (MOP) in November 2022. Participants appreciated Australia sharing its ‘perspectives of a delegate’ on the OEWG (Open-Ended Working Group)/MOP process/procedures, with practical information on meeting preparations, contact groups, CRPs, Decisions, and the Implementation Committee.
Two parallel breakout segments for each network were held to facilitate discussions on their strategic perspective, identify gaps and make recommendations regarding the implementation of Montreal Protocol related activities while taking into consideration identified priorities and challenges experienced by countries. Countries discussed energy efficiency as it pertains to recent ExCom decisions, HFC Licensing, Quota and Tracking systems, formalizing informal Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning / Mobile Air-Conditioning servicing sectors and competency-based certification.
UNEP OzonAction Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) provided analyses of the countries’ compliance status, the Kigali Amendment ratification status in the region and an overview of CAP services delivered to countries.
CAP’s analysis of the data discrepancies between importing and exporting countries revealed that countries need to be vigilant to ensure that all traders are captured in the system, diligently apply for licenses and report their transactions. NOOs also reviewed the planned CAP services for 2023 and agreed to further explore a more integrated approach to sustain the HFC trade control and prevent HFC illegal trade post Kigali through joint meetings with Customs during the SA and SEA Network Meetings in 2023.
Two prominent experts from China and the USA, representatives from GIZ, UNEP, UNDP, UNIDO, and the World Bank as part of the Multilateral Fund‘s Implementing Agencies delivered updates, highlights and lessons learned from their work with countries regarding challenges in phasing out HCFCs and adopting low-GWP alternatives, how to sustain achievements made, and developing KIPs at the country level.
The Joint Meeting of the SA and SEA Networks was organized by the UNEP OzonAction (CAP), Asia and the Pacific Office as part of its approved 2022 Work Programme under the Multilateral Fund.
For more information
Mr. Shaofeng Hu
Senior Montreal Protocol Regional Coordinator
UNEP, Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP)
Asia and Pacific Office
Email: hus[at]un.org
