Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 24 April 2019 — The General Directorate of Environment Protection, Ministry of Environment organized a national stakeholders meeting in Phnom Penh on 24 April 2019 on the implementation of the enabling activities for HFC phase-down. The meeting was supported by UN Environment’s OzonAction Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP).
The meeting was attended by 48 participants with a wide array of expertise; each has a crucial role to play in the implementation of the Kigali Amendment. Representatives from the following Cambodian Ministries attended: Commerce; Economy and Finance; Industry and Handicraft; Labor and Vocational Training; Mine and Energy; Justice; Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Tourism; Public Works and Transport; Information; Education; and Youth and Sport.
The meeting reviewed achievements of the implementation of the Montreal Protocol - including policies and programs that the Royal Government of Cambodia has adopted - and identified potential challenges for the next stage of progression of the Protocol, the Kigali Amendment.
The meeting gave participants a chance to review Cambodia’s Country Assessment Report, which has been developed through a national survey, consultation and interviews with various national stakeholders. The report gives a comprehensive overview of institutional arrangements, policy/regulation requirements and capacity of various stakeholders allowing them to map-out what potential challenges Cambodia might come across in ensuring they are able to meet the initial obligations under the Kigali Amendment in the next few years.
The Import-Export Inspection and Fraud Repression Directorate-General and representatives of the General Department of Customs and Excise were present, as well as importers of refrigerants and refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, customs brokers vocational training schools and departments within the Ministry of Environment such as the Climate Change Department, Hazardous Substance Department. TV media also attended.
In his opening statement, the Director General of the General Directorate of Environment Protection, H.E Mr. Heng Nareth, emphasized that Cambodia is fully committed toward Montreal Protocol implementation, and the country is in the process of ratifying the Kigali Amendment.
The national stakeholders echoed this keenness for Cambodia to ratify the Kigali Amendment, particularly with regard to licensing and quota systems for import/export control of HFCs, and building the capacity of the refrigeration servicing technicians.
For more information:
Mr. Hu Shaofeng
Montreal Protocol Coordinator for Asia-Pacific
UN Environment, OzonAction
Bangkok, Thailand
Email: hus@un.org
