The 37th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP37) will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2025.
In the margins of this event, UNEP OzonAction and its partners are hosting side-events showcasing how collaboration, innovation, and enforcement continue to drive the transition towards sustainable, efficient, and climate-friendly cooling:
1. WORLD COLD CHAIN SYMPOSIUM
1 November 2025 | 13:00 hours (Nairobi time)
Less food waste. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Greater food security. This is the path to addressing hunger and a better future. It takes a more sustainable cold chain to get us there.
The World Cold Chain Symposium (WCCS) is a global conference organized by the Global Food Cold Chain Council (GFCCC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and sponsored by Carrier. The 2025 World Cold Chain Symposium will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.
• UNEP Headquarters, Nairobi – Room CR-1
Register now to join the Global Food Cold Chain Council and experts worldwide, as we come together for an in-person, complimentary event focused on the benefits of building efficient and sustainable business models for the development of the cold chain around the globe. By registering below, you can watch replays from all previous years. Register now
2. COLD CHAIN TECHNOLOGIES IN HOT CLIMATES: FROM STORAGE TO TRANSPORT
3 November 2025 | 13:00–15:00 hours (Nairobi time)
This session will explore how innovative cold chain solutions are enabling food security, energy efficiency and environmental protection in high-temperature regions. Drawing from the latest UNEP–IIR technology briefs, experts and practitioners will share insights on national cold chain policies, refrigerated transport, and walk-in cold rooms adapted to A5 countries.
• UNEP Headquarters, Nairobi – Room CR-14
• Join online: Teams Link
Organised by: UNEP OzonAction and the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR)
Speakers include:
- Mr Jim Curlin, Head of Branch, UNEP OzonAction
- Mr Yosr Allouche, Director General, IIR
- Mr Alan Foster, Senior Researcher, London South Bank University
- Ms Silvia Minetto, Senior Researcher, Italian National Research Council
- Ms Aline Uwasempabuka – National Ozone Officer, Rwanda
- Ms Souhir Al-Hammami, Director of Scientific and Technical Information, IIR
- Ms Sonja Wagner, Programme Management Officer, UNEP OzonAction
An interactive panel discussion and Q&A to identify next steps for scaling sustainable cold chain technologies globally.
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS
NOTE: A light lunch will be provided before the session.
3. ENFORCEMENT OF THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL: FROM POLICY TO ACTIONS TO
COMBAT ILLEGAL TRADE
4 November 2025 | 18:00–20:00 hours (Nairobi time)
This event will showcase how policy commitments under the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment are being translated into tangible enforcement actions. Discussions will highlight new tools, international operations, and legal frameworks that help Parties prevent and combat illegal trade in controlled substances.
• UNEP Headquarters – Room CR11
• Join online: Teams Link
Organized by: Ozone Secretariat, World Customs Organization (WCO), and UNEP OzonAction
Moderator: James Curlin, UNEP OzonAction.
Opening remarks:
- Ms Patricia Mbote, Director, Law Division, UNEP
- Ms Maria Socorro Manguiat, Deputy Executive Secretary, Ozone Secretariat
Speakers include:
- Ms Anna Kobylecka, WCO
- Mr Robert Kirer, Customs and Border Control Officer, Kenya Revenue Authority
- Ms Aneesha Rukshini, Director (Operational Focal Point), Sri Lanka
- Mr Pedro Alexandre Maia Ribeiro, EUROPOL (online)
- Mr Jaak Feuggelen, European Commission, European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) (online)
- Ms Clare Perry, Team Leader, Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA)
- Ms Yvonne Ewang-Sanvincenti, Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions
Launch of the WCO Guidelines for Customs SOPs on ODS and HFCs and Legal support legal advice through the UNEP Law Division Montevideo Programme to support the implementation of the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment in Article 5 countries on the pilot basis
Insights from global enforcement operations and best practices.
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS
NOTE: A light dinner will be offered before the session.
4. “ASK AN EXPERT” sessions at the UNEP OzonAction booth (NEW!)
4 & 5 November 2025
Do you have a specific question or doubt about the implementation of the Montreal Protocol? As part of our outreach and communication, we are pleased to offer you four special “Ask an Expert” sessions, providing participants with the opportunity to interact with leading experts in the field. It is a unique opportunity to have one-on-one or small group conversations on specific issues within their expertise, with the focus on the practical implementation of the Montreal Protocol:
TUESDAY, 4 November 2025 | 3:30-5:00 pm (Nairobi time)
- Customs related matters with Ms. Anna Kobylecka, World Customs Organization
- National legal frameworks and legislation with Ms. Renee Gift, UNEP Law Division, Montevideo Programme
- Transboundary movements of end-of-life equipment containing controlled substances, linkages with the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions on legal issues and compliance, inventories with Ms. Yvonne Ewang-Sanvincenti, BRS Secretariat
WEDNESDAY, 5 November 2025 | 11:00 -12:00 am (Nairobi time)
- Gender considerations with Ms. Rossana Del Carmen Silva Repetto, Deputy Chief Officer, MLF Secretariat, Mr. Raymond Brandes, UNEP Gender Officer and Ms. Sonja Wagner, UNEP OzonAction Gender Focal Point
WEDNESDAY, 5 November 2025 | 12:00-1:00 pm (Nairobi time)
- Energy efficiency in the Montreal Protocol with Mr. Bassam Elssaad, TEAP Senior Expert Member, Mr. Patrick Blake, Programme Management Officer, UNEP U4E and Mr. Balaji Natarajan, Senior Project Management Officer, MLF Secretariat
Wednesday, 5 November 2025 | 3:00-4:00 pm (Nairobi time)
- Cold Chain with Ms. Yosr Allouche, IIR Director General, Ms. Silvia Minetto, IIR President of the Sub Commission on refrigerated transport, and Mr. Bas Hatterscheid, IIR, Commission Member and International Project leader at Wageningen University
For any inquiries, please contact Anne-Maria Fenner, Information Manager, UNEP OzonAction (anne.fenner@un.org)
Don’t miss the chance to connect with us at the OzonAction Exhibition Booth - we can’t wait to welcome you!
