Reference: IntOzoneDay
8 June 2000

Dear

I am pleased to invite you to commemorate the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer on 16 September of this year. This commemoration around the world offers an opportunity to focus global attention and action on the protection of the ozone layer.

The Beijing Declaration adopted during the Eleventh Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in December 1999 reaffirmed the political commitment of Governments, international organizations, relevant groups and experts to accelerate the phase-out of the chemicals that destroy our stratospheric ozone layer.

The Declaration stated that we "cannot afford to rest on our laurels, since scientists have informed us that the ozone hole has reached record proportions and that ozone layer recovery is a long way from being achieved".

1999 was the year in which the developing countries started their phase-out of consumption of ozone-depleting substances. The developing countries need to maintain this momentum and build on it in order to ensure the full recovery of the ozone layer. Industrialized countries too will have to complete their phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons and methyl bromide over the coming years. Activities that would raise public and political awareness of this issue would be helpful to all countries in their efforts to protect the ozone layer. International Ozone Day is an opportunity to promote such awareness and action. This year, the theme chosen is "Save O₃ur Sky: Protect yourself; Protect the Ozone Layer".

Some of the practical ways in which you can celebrate this important annual event include:

(a) Work with the industry in your country in order to achieve understanding on the reduction and elimination of the chemicals that destroy the ozone layer; persuade them to pledge to use only ozone-safe chemicals in future;

(b) Involve industry, consumers, trade associations and consumer associations in the implementation of the Montreal Protocol; make them publicly pledge not to import or export ozone-depleting substances or equipment whose functioning relies on such substances;

(c) Continue with campaigns to make every citizen, office and industry "ozone-friendly" by persuading them to use or make only "ozone-friendly" products;

(d) Encourage awareness among children by holding competitions and awarding prizes;

(e) Inform users that it is essential to minimize emissions of halons contained in fire-fighting equipment, e.g. during maintenance;

(f) Recycle and not emit ozone-depleting substances in existing equipment at the time of maintenance;

(g) Start or continue the process of decommissioning existing installations that use ozone-depleting substances, most commonly when the products or equipment have reached the end of their useful life;

(h) Publicize articles in the print media which highlight the obligation to implement control measures, the availability of ozone-safe products and the prevention of illegal trade in ozone-depleting chemicals;

(i) Hold scientific and technical conferences and meetings to discuss ways and means of protecting the ozone layer;

(j) Produce and air radio and television programmes to highlight the issue;

(k) Issue brochures, pamphlets, stamps, stickers, posters, postcards, calendars, etc.;

(l) Involve non-governmental organizations in these activities, and encourage them to take their own initiatives.

You will find useful materials on this issue from the website of the Ozone Secretariat:

(/ozone)

or from the OzonAction website: (http:www.unepie.org/ozonaction.html).

These sites are interlinked. Information may also be obtained from UNEP's regional offices.

The Ozone Secretariat would be grateful to receive a report on the various activities undertaken in your country in connection with the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, and will publicize reports received appropriately.

For: K.M. Sarma

Executive Secretary

Ozone Secretariat