Dubai, The United Arab Emirates, 30 April 2024 - UNEP’s OzonAction Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) teams in West Asia and South Asia recently organized a joint thematic meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, underscoring a unified effort to address the challenges posed by High Ambient Temperature (HAT)/ Group 2 Countries. This thematic meeting, held on 22-23 April 2024, brought together a diverse array of participants, including representatives from National Ozone Units across West Asia and HAT/Group 2 countries in South Asia alongside regional and international partners such as the Ozone Secretariat, the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol (MLF), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCCSG), the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States (LAS), and experts from the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) industry.
The event, attended by 55 participants comprising 13 females and 42 males, served as a platform for collaborative dialogue and knowledge exchange among National Ozone Officers (NOO’s) from West Asia and South Asia regions. The primary objective was to navigate the complexities faced by HAT/Group 2 countries in their transition towards ozone and climate-friendly long-term alternative refrigerants, aligning with the obligations set forth by the Kigali Amendment (KA).
With initial compliance obligations looming, set for a freeze on 1 January, 2028, and subsequent reduction steps, the meeting delved into critical areas such as technology readiness for new refrigerants, global policy experiences, industry success stories, and country-specific perspectives. Expert-led sessions explored barriers, industry innovations, infrastructure requirements, and energy-efficient solutions tailored to HAT conditions.
The meeting also included panel discussions where industry leaders provided insights on timelines, product cycles, harmonization efforts, and infrastructure enhancements, while participants tackled crucial topics like infrastructure for data collection, reclamation systems, updated licensing frameworks, certification standards for technicians and products, and the pivotal role of energy savings in driving sustainable industry practices.
UNEP’s CAP teams, through this collaborative initiative, reaffirm their commitment to supporting HAT/Group 2 countries on their journey towards ozone and climate-friendly cooling solutions. The joint thematic meeting not only highlighted challenges but also innovative solutions, emphasizing the collective responsibility and shared vision for a resilient and environmentally conscious RAC industry.
For more information:
Mr. Khaled Klaly
Regional Coordinator for West Asia
UNEP West Asia Office
Email: Khaled.klaly[@]un.org
Ms. Elisa Rim
Interim Regional Coordinator for South Asia
UNEP Asia and Pacific Office
Email: elise.rim[@]un.org
