News

Paris, France, 17 March 2026 - UNEP OzonAction has released a complete revision of its university-level course for students pursuing career paths involving cooling technologies. The objective of the revised course is to help undergraduate engineering students learn how to apply new technologies to environmental challenges, with a particular focus on ozone depletion, global warming, and international environmental treaties.

2026 International Women’s Day Frontline Champions: Women in Environmental EnforcementCampaign Announcement from Patricia Mbote, Director, UNEP Law Division

On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026, UNEP Law Division’s OzonAction and the Montevideo Environmental Law Programme are pleased to launch a global campaign honoring the women safeguarding the integrity of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, its Kigali Amendment, and the broader environmental compliance and enforcement landscape.

Paris, France, 25 February 2026 - The global customs community once again demonstrated its commitment to environmental protection in light of World Customs Day 2026 celebrations (26 January 2026), with UNEP OzonAction spotlighting the voices of Customs Officers from different parts of the globe. Their professional journeys reflect the motivation and common challenges they face in enforcing the Montreal Protocol.

Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, 16–19 December 2025 — National Ozone Officers (NOOs) of Southeast Asia countries, together with Customs authorities, partner agencies, and international organizations, convened in Luang Prabang, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, for the Network Meeting of Southeast Asia National Ozone Officers back-to-back with the Twinning National Ozone Officer–Customs Workshop on Strengthening Enforcement of Trade Control of Controlled Substances under the Montreal Protocol.

Paris, France, 6 February 2026 — Since 2007, ASHRAE and UNEP have partnered to assist developing countries in transitioning to non-ozone-depleting refrigerants. Biennial work plans guide projects undertaken through the partnership. 

              CUSTOMS AT THE FRONTLINE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                          Shared motivations, common challenges, and collective action 

The Gender Assessment Factsheet is a practical guide designed to support gender-responsive activities during the preparation and implementation of multi-year agre

Kigali, Rwanda, 14 November 2025 – Female refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) technicians from Anglophone African countries convened in Kigali for a three-day (12-14 November) Regional Training Workshop aimed at strengthening technical skills, enhancing regional collaboration, and advancing gender equality within the RAC servicing sector.

Lomé, Togo – November 27, 2025 – From 25 to 27 November  2025, Lomé hosted a high-level regional workshop focused on the implementation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, a landmark agreement aimed at reducing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)—potent greenhouse gases contributing to climate change.

Mombasa, Kenya, 17 November 2025 – From 10 to 12 November 2025, the World Customs Organization (WCO) organized a high-level workshop in Mombasa, Kenya, aiming to strengthen the capacity of Customs administrations in selected African countries to combat the illegal trade of environmentally sensitive goods, including ozone-depleting substances (ODS), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and hazardous and other wastes. The event was made possible thanks to the financial support of the China Customs Co-operation Fund (CCF-China).

The UNEP/IIR webinar “Refrigerated Transport in Hot Climates – Challenges and Innovations” will take place on 9 December 2025 from 14:00 to 15:00 (Paris time) via Zoom and YouTube.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 27 November 2025 – The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) OzonAction Compliance Assistance Program (CAP) in West Asia, together with the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), convened representatives from National Ozone Units (NOUs), industry leaders, and international experts for a joint workshop at HVACR World.

Quito, Ecuador, 21 November 2025 – More than 15 countries from Latin America gathered in Quito from 18 to 20 November 2025 for the Thematic Meeting of Latin America Ozone Networks. The event was organised by UNEP OzonAction in close cooperation with the Government of Ecuador and supported financially by the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.

Panama City, Panama, 10 October 2025 - The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) OzonAction Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) Caribbean Network convened the Caribbean Regional ODS Banks Workshop for National Ozone Officers and National ODS Banks Consultants from 6 to 10 October 2025 in Panama City, Panama. The workshop was delivered under UNEP OzonAction’s CAP Work Programme with financial support from the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.

The UNEP/IIR webinar “Marine Refrigeration – Keeping the Catch Cool from Sea to Shore” will

The UNEP/IIR webinar “Refrigeration at Every Scale: From Homes to Supermarkets” will take place on 18 November 2025 from 14:00 to 15:00 (Paris tme) via Zoom and YouTube.

Guangzhou, China, 10 November 2025 – UNEP OzonAction successfully convened an international training workshop titled “Good Servicing Practices for Cold Storage Applications and Safe Handling of Natural Refrigerants” in Guangzhou, China, from 4 to 7 November 2

Nairobi, Kenya, 4 November 2025 – The side event on “Enforcement of the Montreal Protocol: From Policy to Action to Combat Illegal Trade”, was held during the Thirty-Seventh Meeting of the Parties (MOP-37) to the Montreal Protocol at UNEP Headquarters.

Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, 23 October 2025 – The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) OzonAction Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) West Asia team, in collaboration with the National Ozone Unit (NOU) of the Sultanate of Oman under the Environment Authority, successfully concluded a national capacity building programme on refrigerant management and compliance with the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment.  

Nairobi, 6 November 2025 – The Ask an Expert sessions held during the Thirty-Seventh Meeting of the Parties (MOP-37) to the Montreal Protocol at UNEP Headquarters proved to be a highly successful initiative, offering participants personalized, practical one-on-one guidance on various aspects of implementing the Montreal Protocol. These interactive exchanges allowed attendees to engage directly with leading experts, clarify technical and policy-related questions, and deepen their understanding of key issues.

Nairobi, Kenya, 3 November 2025 — At the 37th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (MOP37), UNEP OzonAction and the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) hosted a dynamic side event focused on developing sustainable cold chain technologies in hot climates.

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 

Yerevan, Armenia, 7 October 2025 – The ECA network meeting was opened by Mr. Ara Mkrtchyan, Deputy Minister of Environment, and representatives of the Multilateral Fund Secretariat, UNIDO, and UNEP.  Armenia’s Montreal Protocol Officer, Ms.

Panama City, 16 October 2025 – More than 400 students from 17 educational institutions, together with representatives from the public and private sectors, took part in the Sustainable Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Fair 2025 on 15 and 16 October 2025. The event aimed to strengthen technical capacities and promote the adoption of clean and energy-efficient technologies in line with Panama’s commitments under the Montreal Protocol.