Dear National Ozone Officers,
On behalf of UN Environment (UNEP) OzonAction, I would like to express our deep appreciation to your country for its continued high-level commitment to implement the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, including during very challenging times such as what the world is now facing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
I would like to re-assure you that during this very difficult period, OzonAction's Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) – like the rest of UNEP – remains open for business. Our CAP teams in Bangkok, Manama, Nairobi, Panama City, and Paris continue to work with great dedication and diligence to support Article 5 countries with meeting their compliance, reporting and project-related needs. Our internal processes are all functioning well, including those related to finance and administration. Our CAP teams continue to provide technical and policy support. Our information clearinghouse, capacity building services, and refrigeration and air conditioning partnerships are still developing and distributing tools and information to support your work.
Due to travel restrictions and social distancing requirements, a number of our Regional Network and Thematic meetings have been postponed. Rest assured that the CAP teams are working on contingency plans to overcome this disruption and to re-schedule all postponed events once the situation allows. In the meantime, our Regional Coordinators are continuing with the Regional Network services to promote exchange of information and experiences between Ozone Officers.
Just like you and your colleagues, our CAP teams have had to adjust both their personal lives and work arrangements to meet these new conditions. All of our staff are now working remotely through a telecommuting arrangement to ensure the continuous delivery of support to your countries. They are well-connected with each other, to Paris, and to UNEP headquarters through video conferencing, email and phones. They are all online and available for communication with all National Ozone Units.
Since 1991, UNEP OzonAction has been your close partner in the implementation of the Montreal Protocol and we walk together with you on your country's compliance journey. We will continue down that path, even during challenging times such as during this pandemic.
OzonAction is here to support you. If you have any needs, challenges, or if you just wish to share your situation, please reach out and contact any member of OzonAction, including the Regional CAP teams or myself.
Be safe and keep yourselves, your families and your colleagues healthy.
James S. Curlin
Acting Head
UNEP OzonAction
UN Environment Programme is an Implementing Agency of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol. OzonAction is part of UN Environment Programme's Law Division and serves 147 developing countries through the Compliance Assistance Programme.