Panama City, Panama, 15 July 2024 — The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) OzonAction Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP), Latin America and the Caribbean organized a series of events in Panama City, Panama, from 20–28 June 2024. The programme began with a Pilot Training for Advanced National Ozone Officers (NOOs) from 20–21 June, followed by a Caribbean Network Meeting of NOOs & Haiti, and Twinning Workshop for NOOs and Energy-Efficiency Policymakers from the Caribbean and Haiti from 24–26 June and concluded with a Twinning Workshop for Montreal Protocol Officers and Energy-Efficiency (EE) Policymakers on 27–28 June.
The week of events was officially opened by Mr. Juan Bello, Regional Director and representative for Latin America and the Caribbean Office, who reaffirmed his support for OzonAction’s mandate.
The Pilot training for Advanced NOOs aimed to assess the training programme with six NOO participants (2 men and 4 women) from the more advanced NOOs in the Caribbean Region. The training spanned 2 days including a half-day field visit to two Panamanian companies (GRUPO Riba Smith and GRUPO Melo) that are still transitioning to low GWP, energy-efficient alternative refrigerants. Feedback and recommendations for improvement were received from the participants.
After the training, an Acknowledgement Ceremony was held where nine Advanced NOOs were awarded Tokens of Recognition for their many years of dedicated service in the region and their significant contributions to the international community under the Montreal Protocol.
Once UNEP’s pilot phase is completed, the training will be rolled out to all Advanced NOOs in all 5 regions (Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and West Asia).
Following the pilot training was the Caribbean Network Meeting of NOOs & Haiti, and Twinning Workshop for NOOs and Energy-Efficiency Policymakers which targeted 14 English-speaking countries and Haiti. Also in attendance were representatives from the Multilateral Fund Secretariat, Ozone Secretariat, UNDP, UNIDO, OECS Energy Efficiency Unit, CARICOM CREE, GIZ Proklima, and the TEAP Environment Assessment Panel.
The meeting’s main objective was to assist the network countries with achieving their hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) phase-out targets, sustain those already met, and promote intraregional exchange for Phase down of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
Thematic and Network Meetings for National Ozone Officers are one of UNEP OzonAction’s landmark annual deliverables under its Work Programme. They provide a space for countries to foster cooperation and networking and address challenges and concerns of particular concern to the region.
The last in the series of events was the Twinning Workshop for NOOs and Energy-Efficiency Policy Makers which was attended by NOOs and EE Policy Makers from the English-speaking Caribbean Region (23 men and 18 women) The workshop was designed to increase the climate benefits of the Montreal Protocol by maximizing a simultaneous improvement in the energy efficiency of the cooling sector through enhanced policy and programmatic coordination at the national and regional levels.
Participants discussed the role of Montreal Protocol Officers and Energy Efficiency Officers in the context of refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC). Key areas for collaboration highlighted included joint training programmes, coordinated policy and regulations development, and the integration of energy efficiency and ozone protection measures into national programmes. A key recommendation made was to raise awareness among energy and climate policymakers and National Ozone Units (NOUs).
Representatives from the Multilateral Fund Secretariat, Ozone Secretariat, UNDP, UNIDO, OECS Energy Efficiency Unit, CARICOM CREE, and GIZ Proklima attended the workshop. Also in attendance were representatives from the Panama RSS, GRUPO Melo, and Grupo Riba Smith, who shared their experience of transitioning to more energy-efficient and low GWP alternatives to HCFCs.
These events were part of UNEP OzonAction’s CAP Workplan under the Multilateral Fund for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
For further information:
Donnalyn Charles
Montreal Protocol, Regional Coordinator, Caribbean
UNEP OzonAction, Latin America and the Caribbean
Email: donnalyn.charles[@]un.org
