05 Jul 2021 Editorial

World Ozone Day: Keeping Us, our Food and Vaccines Cool, 16 September 2021

Image by Shutterstock & OzonAction

COUNTRIES CELEBRATING WORLD OZONE DAY AROUND THE GLOBE

Relaxing by beachTo mark World Ozone Day on September 16 2021 and to promote at the national level, activities in accordance with the objectives of the Montreal Protocol and its amendments, countries around the world prepared various activities for this occasion.
Click HERE to view activities
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MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE OZONE LAYER
 

The Montreal Protocol began life as a mechanism to protect and heal the ozone layer.  It has done its job well over the past three decades.  The ozone layer is on the road to recovery.  The cooperation we have seen under the Montreal Protocol is exactly what is needed now to take on climate change, an equally existential threat to our societies.  

The Montreal Protocol is more than just an example of how multilateralism can and should work, it is an active tool to help meet our global vision for sustainable development.  Under the Kigali Amendment to the Protocol, nations have committed to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), powerful greenhouse gases used as coolants.  When fully implemented, the Kigali Amendment could prevent 0.4 degrees Celsius of global warming this century.

Furthermore, as we prepare for the Food Systems Summit this month, we are reminded that the Kigali Amendment can also help us to increase food security.  By reducing HFCs, increasing energy efficiency and creating more ozone- and climate-friendly technologies, the Kigali Amendment can bring sustainable access to vital cooling services to millions of people. Read more...  ARABIC | CHINESE | ENGLISH | FRENCH | RUSSIAN | SPANISH 

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MESSAGE FROM THE UNEP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR WORLD OZONE DAY

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LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF UNEP OZONACTION TO NATIONAL OZONE OFFICERS FOR WORLD OZONE DAY

Dear National Ozone Officers,

I sincerely hope that you, your families and colleagues are all well and keeping healthy during this challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we all know, the past year has been extremely difficult for the entire world, including the tragic loss of life, the economic impacts, and the social disruptions that have affected so many countries. People have struggled on both the professional and personal levels to cope with this difficult and complex situation. However, despite these challenges, the entire Montreal Protocol community has shown remarkable resilience and strength over the past year – the treaty has continued to do its work, countries are meeting their commitments, and the ozone layer and climate system are being protected by your actions. I wish to commend you and your team in the National Ozone Unit for your dedication, hard work and steadfast commitment to continue meeting your country's compliance commitments, reporting data, and implementing project activities during this period. This "continuity in the face of adversity" makes the Montreal Protocol a shining example that governments and dedicated individuals can continue to protect the global environment even during a pandemic.

We have an excellent opportunity to share this positive example very soon: World Ozone Day (WOD), 16 September. This year’s theme is the Montreal Protocol - Keeping us, our food, and vaccines cool!  The refrigeration cold chain is absolutely essential for all countries and it has a direct relationship on reducing food loss and food waste, protecting public health, and supporting the economy. The Montreal Protocol is closely linked to this critical sector and WOD is an excellent time to shine the spotlight on this often overlooked sector. 
Read more ENGLISH | FRENCH | RUSSIAN | SPANISH

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WOD THEME IN THE UN LANGUAGES

Arabic

بروتوكول مونتريال

الحفاظ على برودة طعامنا ولقاحاتنا

Chinese

蒙特利尔议定书----清凉世界、保鲜食物、呵护疫苗

English

Montreal Protocol
Keeping us, our food and vaccines cool

French

Protocole de Montréal
Pour que nous, nos aliments et nos vaccins restions au frais

Russian

Монреальский протокол
Oбеспечение прохлады для нас, нашей еды и нашей вакцины

Spanish

Protocolo de Montreal
Para mantenernos frescos a nosotros, a nuestros alimentos y vacunas

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BACKGROUND TO WORLD OZONE DAY

On 19 December 1994, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 16 September the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date, in 1987, on which the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed.

States are invited to devote the Day each year to promote, at the national level, activities in accordance with the objectives of the Montreal Protocol and its amendments.

Below are links to previous years' celebrations which provide information and materials that can be used to celebrate "Ozone Day" in your country, organisation or school.

2021 World Ozone Day
2020 World Ozone Day
2019 World Ozone Day
2018 World Ozone Day
2017 World Ozone Day