European and Central Asian countries, the Ozone Secretariat and implementing agencies of the Montreal Protocol met in Antalya to share information and lessons learned from their efforts to reduce the use of ozone-depleting and global warming chemicals.
The meeting of the Regional Ozone Network for Europe and Central Asia (ECA network) took place after to the twining workshop for Montreal Protocol officers (formerly ozone officers ) and national energy policymakers on ozone layer-friendly, climate-friendly and energy-efficient refrigeration and air-conditioning. It was jointly organized by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization of Türkiye and UN Environment / OzonAction and opened by Ms. Pervin Dogan, Chief of the Division for the Protection of the Ozone Layer of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization of Türkiye.
The participants included the designated Montreal Protocol officers of the ECA network countries as well as representatives of Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine which are countries with economies in transition (CEIT countries). It was supported by the representatives of the Ozone Secretariat in Nairobi and the implementing agencies UNDP, UN Environment and UNIDO.
Overview of topics discussed
The agenda covered the report of the Ozone Secretariat on the status of compliance, reporting and ratification of the Kigali Amendment in the ECA region, outcomes of the Open-Ended-Working Group meeting and the energy-efficiency workshop in Vienna, policy matters related to the forthcoming Meeting of the Parties in Quito as well as highlights of the World Ozone Day celebrations.
The status of enabling activities for Kigali Amendment ratification was reviewed and several countries might request additional time to complete the projects. Participants shared their experience related to Article 7 and Country Programme data reporting and discussed the difference between both type of reports and how to obtain reliable data on the use of controlled substances by sector. It was highlighted that the experts who conduct verification reports would need to be independent and should not be involved in the preparation or implementation of HCFC phase-out management plans. There have been lively discussions on gender mainstreaming of Montreal Protocol projects and policies and countries requested a webinar and training on that issue.
The countries shared information on World Ozone Day activities and several countries focused on industry stakeholders this year. Macedonia FYR presented potential synergies between Montreal Protocol related legislation and that for end-of-life electronic and electrical equipment which includes refrigeration and air-conditioning appliances. Armenia described non-state actions on promoting energy-efficiency in the country based on a GIZ publication and related posters. UNDP presented several case studies and results of demonstration projects focusing on energy-efficiency. UNIDO briefed the participants on the status of the regional centre of excellence in Yerevan which offers training for refrigeration technicians on the safe use of alternative refrigerants.
UN Environment encouraged the countries to use available publications, tools and resources in the design of HCFC phase-out and HFC phase-down strategies. Countries were encouraged to submit nominations for the Global Montreal Protocol Award for Customs and Enforcement Officers. Bosnia had Herzegovina reported two additional seizures and Serbia prevented illegal trade through the application of the informal Prior Consent mechanism. So far, UN Environment received 23 preliminary indications of seizures out of which 15 took place in the ECA region. This demonstrates the commitment and dedication of customs and enforcement officers in the region.
Small working groups prepared action plans for the implementation of selected panel recommendations of the inter-regional thematic technical workshops and network meetings in Paris in January 2018. This exercise was meant to encourage Montreal Protocol officers to review the list of more than 130 panel recommendations, to select priority recommendations and to develop action plans for implementation.
The results of the survey on ECA needs and priorities, which was conducted in Valencia in June 2018, were presented and the host countries for ECA and KCEP meetings in 2019 decided. Ukraine agreed to host the ECA meetings with the involvement of customs and enforcement officers in May 2019 and Serbia offered to host the ECA / KCEP meeting with the involvement of national energy policymakers in December 2019.
Interested participants visited an ozone-friendly, climate-friendly and energy-efficient ammonia / carbon dioxide cascade system in the nearby Erm Tarim AS factory in Ermenek / Karaman.
