The UAE represented by the Ministry of Environment and Water is hosting the 27th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer from November 1 to 5, 2015 at the Conrad Hotel Dubai.
About Montreal Protocol
In 1981, a working group was formed to draft an international agreement for the protection of the ozone layer. The agreement was approved at the Vienna Conference of 1985 after four years of work. The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer entered into force on September 22, 1988, paving the way for more concrete measures to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of depleting ozone layer caused by human activities.
The international community was forced to address the threat of ozone depletion especially after the discovery of the ozone hole over Antarctica. Following intense meetings and heated negotiations, the Montreal Protocol was signed on September 16, 1978 and entered into force on January 1, 1989.
The objectives of the Vienna Convention to take appropriate measures to protect human health and the environment from adverse effects, or that may arise from human activities that lead to a change in the ozone layer.
The objectives of the Montreal Protocol to phase out ozone depleting substances.
The Protocol contains a collection of materials that have proved their impact on the ozone layer: chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Halons.
The Montreal Protocol granted the countries, especially the developing countries whose annual per capita consumption and production of ODS is at less than 0.3 kg a grace period for 10 years to gradually reduce their ODS consumption before the implementation of total ban in 2010. The countries which met the criteria were covered by Article 5 of the Protocol.
The most important amendments to the Montreal Protocol:
• London Amendment of 1990 - New ODS were added to the original list; modified the Copenhagen Amendment of 1992
• Montreal Amendment of 1997
• Beijing Amendment of 1999
Why protect the ozone layer
Ozone layer protects the earth’s surface from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays causes adverse effects on humans, animals and plants.
International efforts for ozone layer protection
Ozone depletion is a global challenge that needs to be addressed through continuous concerted international efforts. During the past two decades, the international community gathered together to address the issue, eventually leading to the adoption of the Vienna Convention in 1985 and the accompanying Montreal Protocol in 1987. The Montreal Protocol aims to reduce the global consumption of substances that are harmful to the ozone layer. In commemoration of the date of the signing of the Montreal Protocol, the UN General Assembly proclaimed September 16 the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.
UAE’s commitment to the Convention and the Protocol
The UAE signed the Vienna Convention in 1989 and the Montreal Protocol in 1990. Since then, the country has implemented fundamental measures to demonstrate its commitment to the agreements’ respective goals and visions. Relevant laws and regulations were enacted to monitor the use of ODS and their importation and exportation in the country, as well as put in place essential control trade measures. The Emirates successfully implemented a total ban on CFCs and halons in 2010. In 2012, the Ministry of Environment and Water in close coordination with concerned authorities issued a regulatory decision aimed at phasing out the consumption of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by 2040 in the state per the target set during the 19th Meeting of the Parties.
The UAE’s hosting of the 27th Meeting of the Parties in November of this year is a demonstration of the state’s unwavering commitment to international efforts towards protecting the ozone layer. A total of 196 countries represented by more than 50 ministers and international figures from the environment, labor, economic and industrial sectors, and leaders of various major international organizations will participate in the high-profile global gathering. In addition, 500 high-level representatives from the UN’s specialized organizations, the private sector, universities, research centers and regional organizations will also join the meeting.
The importance of hosting this meeting for the UAE
The UAE is hosting this meeting because of its full commitment to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer along with its support for the regional and international efforts. The country is keen to organise the event to increase awareness among local and international communities about the role of key initiatives in protecting the ozone layer. In addition, the UAE aims to strengthen its role in international forums as one of the first Arab countries that took strong and effective steps to reduce the phenomenon of climate change. Lastly, it wants to work towards the development and implementation of innovative solutions to protect the environment and ensure its sustainability in line with UAE Vision 2021.
Through this meeting, the UAE aims to promote the successes achieved by the nation in the protection of the ozone layer and the leading role gained thereof. It will also reinforce the path of the countries to arrive on a common decision to ban hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) vehicles by 2040 and create appropriate economically beneficial, highly efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy solutions in countries with a hot climate. This will contribute to the mitigation of global warming to achieve the goal of developing sustainable environmental alternatives.
The significance of hosting this meeting lies in:
- Promoting the successes achieved by the UAE in the field of protection of the ozone layer, and the leading role gained through this
- Enhancing the chances of hosting the 27th Conference of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol to be held in Dubai in November 2015 through out value-added recommendations.
- Confirming active participation in efforts to find solutions for environmental issues of global importance in line with UAE Vision 2021
- Documenting relations with international organizations
Participants at the meeting
In total, 197 countries are participating in the meeting represented by more than 50 Ministers and international figures from the environment sector as well as various economic sectors along with a number of industry leaders and heads of international organizations. In addition, 500 high-level personal representatives of the United Nations, private sector entities, universities and research centres, and regional organizations will be present.
Entities and sectors benefiting from this meeting
- Each country to communicate the points of the Montreal Protocol
- Private industrial sector working in the field of refrigeration and air conditioning
- Universities and research centres
Agenda
First - The Preparatory Segment (November 1 to 3, 2015)
1. The opening of the preparatory segment:
A) Statements by Representative(s) of the UAE Government
B) Statements by representative(s) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
2. Consideration of the Membership of the Montreal Protocol Bodies for 2016
3. Financial Report of the Trust Fund of the Montreal Protocol and Protocol Budgets
4. Issues Related to Exemptions from the Montreal Protocol
5. Matters Relating to Alternatives to Ozone-Depleting Substances
A) Report of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel on the Full Range of Alternatives to Ozone-Depleting Substances (Decision 26/9, Sub-Paragraphs 1 (a) - (c)
B) Updated Information Submitted by Parties on Their Implementation of Paragraph 9 of Decision 19/6 (Decision 26/9, Paragraph 3)
6. Results of the 36th Meeting of the Appellant for the Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group
7. Proposed Amendments to the Montreal Protocol
8. Issues Related to the Phase-Out of HCFCs
9. Focus on 2018 Reports Issued Every Four Years on the Assessment Panels Areas
10. Matters Relating to Compliance and Data Reporting: Showing the work of the Implementation Committee regarding non-compliance with the Montreal Protocol and recommended decisions forwarded by the Committee for consideration
11. Other matters
Second - The High-Level Segment (November 4 to 5, 2015)
1 - Opening of the High-Level Segment:
(A) Statements by Representative (s) of the UAE Government
(B) Statements by Representative (s) of the UNEP
(C) A Statement of the President of the 26th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
2 - Organizational Matters
(A) Election of Officers of the 27th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
3 - Offers of the Assessment Groups on Their Collection of Assessments in 2014 Published Every Four Years
4 - Presentation by the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on the Work of the Executive Committee, the Secretariat of the Multilateral Fund, and the Implementing Agencies of the Fund
5 - Heads of Delegations to Discuss Key Topics
6 - Report by the Co-Chairs of the Preparatory Segment and Consideration of the Decisions Recommended for Adoption by the 27th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
7 - Dates and Venue of the 28th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
8 - Adoption of the Decisions taken by the 27th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
Media Messages
- Freezing HCFC vehicles in preparation for the gradual reduction of these compounds down to the final date of the ban in 2040
- Support international efforts to protect the ozone layer
- Through their participation in the 27th Conference of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, states seek the efficient management of HCFC compounds to meet the needs of industrial and developing countries and serve their interests, especially those with hot climates which makes it vital to have materials, devices and new technologies with high cooling efficiencies and the use of energy that are also environment friendly
Spokespersons
- H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, UAE Minister of Environment and Water
- H.E Abdel Rahim Mohammed Al Hammadi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Environment & Water
- Eng. Othaibah Saeed AlQaydi, Director of Chemical Department, Ministry of Environment & Water