At the last meeting of the Parties of the Montreal Protocol (Beijing, 1999), Argentina and Finland agreed to work on a joint programme, together with the United Nations Environment Programme, on the celebration of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.

The joint events will be held in Ushuaia - Argentina - the southernmost city in the world, located 1,000 km from Antarctica, which has the highest level of ozone depletion, and in Sodankylä, Finland, the closest city to the Arctic.

Both Finland and Argentina have been under the influence of enhanced springtime UV radiation doses due to ozone depletion in both hemispheres. The intention of this joint celebration is to emphasise the global nature of ozone depletion and joint efforts for the preservations of the ozone layer. Finland and Argentina have had fruitful scientific collaboration since 1987 to investigate atmospheric ozone and solar UV radiation.

The Montreal Protocol constitutes an outstanding model of international cooperation, particularly between developed and developing countries. A joint celebration of the Parties most affected by ozone depletion is an example of this cooperation and urges the international community to continue working for a prompt recovery of the ozone layer.

On the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, 16^th September 2000, Argentina and Finland will arrange simultaneous events in Ushuaia and Sodankylä. The events in the two countries will be linked through a telephone conference and an internet linkage.

. The activities shared by both countries will include:

• launching of the ozone sondes in Marambio, Antarctica, and in Sodankylä, and presentation of the results of the measuring of the ozone layer
• exchange of messages between the environmental authorities and Meteorological Research Institutes of Argentina and Finland
• presentations on the state of the ozone layer in the Antarctic and Arctic areas and on the control of emissions of ozone depleting substances by experts from both countries

Besides, Argentina will carry out some additional activities:

• Exhibition of reconverted companies and of non ozone depleting technologies
• Scientific and Technical Seminar
• Broadcasting by CNN, Discovery Channel and Channel 11 from Ushuaia and Channel 7 covering the national television network.

Further information:

Argentina: Mrs. Isabel Tomadin, National Coordinator, Ozone Unit, tel. +54-11-4348-8383

Mr. Roberto Aiello, Technical Consultant, Ozone Unit, tel. +54-11-4348-8274

Finland: Mr Markku Nurmi, Director General, Finnish Ministry of the Environment, tel. +358-9-1991 9440, GSM +358-50-5599146