This year, UNEP OzonAction, the WRD Secretariat, ASHRAE, the European Partnership for Energy and Environment (EPEE), the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) and the Global Food Cold Chain Council (GFCCC) are partnered to promote a global campaign centered around the theme of the Cold Chain 4 Life. This topic has generated great interest in recent years given its multi-dimensional contribution to key issues including Food Safety/Food Security, Health, Climate Change/Ozone Protection, Sustainable Production/Consumption, and others.
Below are reports on how some countries observed World Refrigeration day on 26 June 2020:
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ALBANIA
On the occasion of the World Refrigeration Day 2020 an awareness campaign was organized by National Ozone Unit, Albania, to raise the understanding of the important role of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump sector play in our life. Click on the links below for information on the event:
https://boldnews.al/2020/06/26/26-qershori-dita-boterore-e-ftohjes/
https://exit.al/26-qershori-dita-boterore-e-ftohjes/
https://www.tpz.al/2020/06/26/26-qershori-dita-boterore-e-ftohjes/
https://hashtag.al/index.php/2020/06/26/sot-eshte-dita-boterore-e-ftohjes/
http://gazetashqiptare.al/2020/06/26/26-qershori-dita-boterore-e-ftohjes/
https://www.facebook.com/1507304282867241/posts/2606387569625568/?d=n
Contact:
Mimoza Vokshi, National Ozone Unit Albania
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BURKINA FASO
Le 26 juin 2020, s’est tenue dans les locaux du Bureau National Ozone (BNO) à partir de 10 heures, la commémoration de la journée mondiale du froid en collaboration avec les acteurs du froid. Cette deuxième édition s’est tenue sous le thème de 'La chaîne du froid pour la vie'.
Il s’est agi au cours de cette journée, de sensibiliser les décideurs, la population, les acteurs du froid et de la climatisation sur l’importance du froid dans la vie de tous les jours.
Pour l’occasion, l’Association des Professionnels et Acteurs du Froid et de la Climatisation (APFC) a organisé une cérémonie conjointe avec le Bureau National ozone (BNO) et leurs partenaires en vue d’une part, de présenter les activités du BNO et d’autres parts de reconnaitre les efforts de différents partenaires
La cérémonie a connu la participation de plus de soixante personnes provenant del’Association des Professionnels et Acteurs du Froid et de la Climatisation (APFC),l’Association des Ingénieurs et Techniciens Frigoristes du Burkina (AITFB), DAIKIN, SOLTAR, GENERAL MANAGER ANGLE-TRSA, DIACFA, AFRICA FROID AUTO, des élèves de lycées techniques, du Ministère en charge de l’Environnement etc.
La cérémonie s’est déroulée en deux étapes:
- la visite guidée de l’atelier du BNO;
- la remise d’attestations de reconnaissance aux partenaires.
La cérémonie s’est achevée par des séances de photo et d’interviews, et l’engagement de tous à œuvrer ensemble pour la promotion du secteur du froid au Burkina Faso, dans le respect de l’environnement.
Contact:
Samuel Paré, Bureau National Ozone, Burkina Faso
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IRAQ
The National Ozone Unit in Iraq organized the following activities to commemorate World Refrigeration Day (WRD):
The Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Electricity, the Ministry of Planning, the Ministry of Oil Customs Clearance, the Ministry of Construction and Housing Public Municipalities, and the Mayoralty of Baghdad, were approached through an official letter by the Minister, Technical Deputy of Environment, Ministry of Health and Environment on WRD and were requested to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning (RAC), considering environmentally friendly substances and power efficiency in RAC systems, and to join the WRD webinar on 26 June.
WRD was raised during the Enforcement Committee meeting on 24 June 2020; which was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Industry, the Customs Authority, the Standardization and Quality Control.
A speech on WRD was presented by the Director of the National Ozone Center during the Updating the Licensing System Committee meeting on 28 June 2020. Participation included representatives from the Environmental Information and Awareness Department, the Administrative and Financial Department, the Legal Department; the International Environmental Relations Department, and the National Ozone Center.
WRD posters were distributed and a summary of WRD and posters were published on the official website of the Ministry of Environment (www.moen.gov.iq )
The introductory summary of WRD and posters were distributed to the representatives of companies importing refrigerants and equipment and that attend the National Ozone Center to obtain official approvals.
The Standards and Codes Committees had a meeting at which the members celebrated the WRD and awareness material was distributed.
Contact:
Shatha Kadhum Kalaf, National Ozone Unit, Republic of Iraq
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KYRGYZSTAN
The XIV Annual Congress of the Republican Public Association (RPA) "Ecoholod", devoted to World Refrigeration Day with the support of the Ozone Center of Kyrgyzstan was held don 26 June 2020.
Leading refrigeration experts, representatives of universities, training schools and other interested organizations from Kyrgyzstan took part in the congress.
The Head of Ozone Center of Kyrgyzstan Mr. Mars Amanaliev made a welcome speech on the occasion of WRD. In his remarks Mr Amanaliev said, 'The establishment of World Cold Producers Day is a testament to the crucial role of the refrigeration industry in the development of civilization. In the modern world, cooling is a necessary component of the technological processes of the vast majority of areas of human activity. June 26 will not only be a holiday but will also help the professional community to increase the credibility of the cooling industry, to inform society and the state more widely about the importance of cold-making technologies, which are underestimated today by many."
During the XIV Congress the next presentations covered following themes: HFC policy and legislative options; Climate change and the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol; The role of refrigeration cold chain in food production and retailing; Modern refrigerants and compressor oils that are used in Kyrgyz Republic and the dynamics of HFC use; Safety rules for ammonia installations and systems; Control and monitoring of refrigeration equipment by Industrial Safety Management under State Inspectorate on Environmental and Technical Safety; Training issues at universities and training schools; Use of propane as a refrigerant and BaranTech - Natural refrigeration system for mobile phone stations. The participants discussed the issues of training and certification of specialists and technicians in RAC sector in Kyrgyzstan, also themes of future workshops were outlined. Participants actively discussed all topics. According to the results of the congress, an action plan of Ecoholod RPA for the next year was developed. The exhibition of the modern service equipment, technical publications and literature was arranged in the hall of the Congress.
At the end of the XIV Congress, the honored certificates and valuable gifts were awarded to some specialists for their advanced contributions in the successful implementation of HCFC terminal phase-out program in Kyrgyz Republic. In addition, special equipment and tools for service of HVRAC sector were granted to a few organizations in the framework of HPMP stage 2.
Contact:
President of RPA Ecoholod Zholdoshbek Zhumaliev joldosh.j@mail.ru; www.ecoholod.com.kg
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NAMIBIA
In Namibia World Refrigeration Day (WRD) was celebrated with TV interviews from the national TV ‘Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC)’. The Namibian National Ozone Officer together with an Industry Expert from the Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning (RAC) sector were interviewed on Namibia's position in supporting the RAC sector and the activities of the National Ozone Unit office.
A media release was published as follows:
This day raises awareness and understanding of the significant role of the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat-pump industry and its technology play in modern life. The science, engineering, and application of cooling touches our lives in many ways, making hot climates habitable, allowing for storage and delivery of fresh food, giving u productive work and learning spaces, enabling the manufacture of products and the operation of data centers in thermally controlled environments, and preserving medicines and other essentials for healthy living. June 26th is the birthdate of Lord Kelvin, after whim the absolute temperature scale is named.
The theme for 2020 aims to celebrate the importance of the food cold chain in sustaining life. The cold chain links producers and growers across the world to the domestic refrigerator in our kitchens, and it is essential for so much more than food. Vaccines must remain chilled until they are used by medical professionals around the world, and the cold chain is essential for blood transfusions and organ donor transport and storage.
Namibia is signatory to the Montreal Protocol of 1987 and Vienna Convention of 1985 of the protection of the Ozone Layer and phasing out of Ozone Depleting Substances. Part of the obligations is to support the refrigeration and air conditioning sector to smoothly transition to energy efficient and environmentally friendly technology. Part of the activities are to facilitate training of technicians on the safe handling of alterative technology, support Customs and Excise officers and Clearing agents on the handling of and identification of imported and exported RAC equipment and gas and raise awareness on the importance of sustainable, environmentally friendly technology of the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.
Contact:
Amalia Nangolo, National Ozone Unit, Nambia
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REPUBLIC OF SERBIA
The National Ozone Unit (NOU) in Serbia held a Workshop for Service Technicians of the Transport Refrigeration units on Friday 26 June in which World Refrigeration Day was observed. The workshop, attended by 17 participants, was held in Beska, which has the biggest service for transport refrigeration units in the Republic of Serbia – “TK System.”
The workshop was an excellent opportunity to mark the World Refrigeration Day and promote the upcoming the World Ozone Day on 16 September. All participants were informed of the 2020 World Ozone Day theme, ‘Ozone for life - 35 Years of the Ozone Layer Protection.’ The representative of the NOU of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and the national expert from the Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning (RAC) sector presented:
- The cold chain and its importance;
- Implementation of the Montreal Protocol in the Republic of Serbia and the Kigali Amendment;
- Protection of the Ozone Layer - Legal Obligations and Penalties;
- Certification of service technicians of RAC in the Republic of Serbia;
- Obligations of service technicians from the RAC sector;
- Potential leakage points/leakage of refrigerant and mandatory removal of the remaining mixture R404A from refrigeration transport installations when the purity of the refrigerant falls below 85% of the charge, due to the previous top-up of the refrigerant installation;
- Collection of a waste refrigerant, cooling oil, replaced components of the refrigeration installation, uninstallation and permanent disposal of old devices;
- Processing i.e. coolant purification- recycling;
- Overview of future refrigerants used in refrigerated transport;
- Filling the Report Submission Form - an obligation of the service technicians.
The NOU prepared material for WRD; two brochures (one on the implementation of the Montreal Protocol in Serbia and the other related to the Kigali amendment), notebooks, pencils, leaflets related to WRD, USB keys with all presentations and national regulations related to the ozone layer protection; these were distributed to all participants of the meeting. Click HERE to view photos of the successfully held workshop.
Contact:
Bojana Radeski, National Ozone Unit, Republic of Serbia
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TUNISIE
L’Unité Nationale d’Ozone de Tunisie à l’Agence Nationale de protection de l’Environnement (ANPE) a organisé vendredi 26 juin 2020 une table ronde à l’occasion de la célébration de la journée mondiale de la réfrigération 2020, sous le thème «La Chaîne du Froid pour la Vie».
Plusieurs présentations ont été présentées se rapportant sur la chaîne du froîd en Tunisie ainsi que la situation actuelle du secteur réfrigération et les perspectives de ce secteur suite à l’amendement de Kigali au Protocole de Montréal.
Le projet d'un cadre réglementaire portant instauration d'un système de certification des personnes physiques et des sociétés de services dans le secteur de la réfrigération de climatisation et des pompes à chaleur a été également présenté.
Au cours de cette journée deux (02) discours ont été présentés :
- Discours du Coordonnateur régional du réseau ODSNET/AF-F, du PNUE, Monsieur Yamar GUISSE,
- Discours du directeur Général de l’Institut International du Froid (IIF), Monsieur Didier COULOMB,
Le nombre des participants a atteint 34 personnes à cette journée venant des différents organismes intervenants dans le secteur du froid, notamment en ce qui suit :
- Association Tunisienne de la réfrigération et Climatisation (ATRC),
- Des sociétés de services opérants dans le secteur du froid,
- Des importateurs des fluides frigorigènes,
- Des membres du comité national d’ozone,
- Des experts nationaux dans le domaine de la réfrigération et dans le domaine du protocole de Montréal,
- Des représentants des ministères,
Il a été procédé à la distribution de matériel de sensibilisation comme par exemple : Blocs note personnalisés, Dépliants personnalisés, Un guide sur les polyols pré mélangés par des agents d’expansion de type HCFC et HFC, Fiches « Kigali action » préparés par le PNUE, Stylos personnalisés
Contact:
Youssef Hammami, Coordinateur de l'unité ozone de Tunisie
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UKRAINE
The Public Association 'Refrigeration Association of Ukraine' organized the following activities in celebration of World Refrigeration Day:
- At the initiative of the Ukrainian Association, an international webinar was held on WRD on 26 June.
- Webinar partners and its participants: Members and partners of the Association 'Ukrainian Refrigeration Association' PU 'RAU', leaders of the Polish association Dorota Zakepska KFC, APIMH Belarusian Association, Czech SCHKT Association, Ukrainian Association of Frozen and Frozen Food Companies UAPMZP, the National Association of Ukraine for Heat Pumps, the all-Ukrainian public organization Union of Refrigerators of Ukraine, representatives of specialized educational institutions and businesses.
- At the webinar, participants congratulated one another on the holiday; Belarusian, Polish and Czech colleagues also attended this event. Subsequently, the Chairman of the Board of the Refrigeration Association of Ukraine, Sergey Anashkin, congratulated the new members who joined the Association and expressed the importance of such a significant date for the entire refrigeration and climate industry in Ukraine.
- Members of the Association and partners will be awarded gifts from the Association with the WRD logo.
Photo link:
Video link:
Contact:
S.V. Anashkin, Refrigeration Association of Ukraine
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ZIMBABWE
As part of 2020 celebrations of World Refrigeration Day (WRD), ZRAA Kadoma Region identified Jairos Jiri Association, Kadoma Branch, a charity organisation which takes care of the disabled persons. The Jairosi Jiri Association was founded in 1950 by the late Jairos Jiri – whose birthdate coincidentally falls on 26th June - as a philanthropist organisation to cater for the disadvantaged members of the community. The Association has expanded and set up branches in nearly every town in Zimbabwe. Disabled persons are trained and equipped with skills to become self-reliant. The Jairos Jiri Association Kadoma Branch is a school for the blind in Zimbabwe. It offers boarding facilities for both boys and girls.
The Association relies on well-wishers and some donor organisations for sustaining its activities. However, with the prevailing economic challenges facing the country, the Association has become underfunded thereby struggling to meet its obligations. Some appliances have broken down as a result of lack of regular maintenance and repairs. These appliances include refrigeration and air conditioning appliances.
Kadoma City, located some 145km from Harare is an establishment born out of gold and farming activities in the surrounding areas. The Kadoma RAC practitioners are affiliated to ZRAA. The Kadoma ZRAA Region has a membership of approximately 35 technicians with most of these in the informal sector. The ZRAA Kadoma Regional Executive decided to commemorate WRD through providing services to the Jairos Jiri Association’s Kadoma Branch where they repaired three non-functional fridges for free.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, only a few technicians from different RAC companies in Kadoma carried out the repairs of the fridges at the Kadoma Jairos Jiri Association premises. These included the following members: Farai Muza (Chairman), Brave Machekano, Smart Chadira (Secretary), Dzimire Kamujariwa, Patience Masuku, Tichaona Madala,Tinarwo Kanengoni and Lazarus Makamure.
The three fridges were successfully repaired; a deep freezer with a broken pipe with no gas, and two upright fridges, one had a blockage and a faulty thermostat, and other had a burnt out compressor.
Although WRD is the 26th June, the RAC practitioners carried out the commemorations on 3rd July 2020.
