Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 15 November 2024 – UNEP OzonAction organized the Thematic Meeting for Ozone Officers of the Latin America Network from 13-15 November in Santo Domingo. The event was designed to support the region’s countries in meeting their commitments under the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment.
Hosted and co-organized by the Ministry of Environment of the Dominican Republic, the meeting brought together key stakeholders, including government officials (14 female/ 19 male), technical experts, and implementing agencies (UNDP, UNIDO, GIZ) as well as Ozone Secretariat and European Union to address major challenges in ozone layer protection and climate action.
The agenda focused on practical tools and strategies to assist countries in achieving the HFC consumption freeze by 2024 and a 67.5% reduction in HCFC consumption by 2025. Critical topics discussed included customs control to prevent harmful substance trade, management of controlled substance waste banks, and sustainable practices throughout refrigerants’ lifecycle.
“This meeting highlights our region’s collective commitment to protecting the ozone layer and reducing climate impacts. By exchanging knowledge and strengthening cooperation, we are preparing to successfully meet these ambitious goals,” emphasized Marco Pinzón, UNEP’s Montreal Protocol Coordinator for Latin America.
The event also underscored the leadership of the Dominican Republic in the region’s environmental efforts. “I want to highlight the unwavering commitment of the Dominican Republic to the protection of the ozone layer, a commitment that has been reflected in our policies, strategies, and actions over the years. As a signatory country of the Montreal Protocol, we have demonstrated regional leadership in its implementation, and today we are proud to share with you the progress we have achieved so far,” stated Lenin Bueno, Viceminister of the Ministry of Environment of the Dominican Republic.
UNEP encouraged participants to actively engage in actions, share experiences, and propose innovative solutions to strengthen regional collaboration.
This event is part of UNEP’s ongoing efforts to support Latin American countries on their path to sustainability and compliance with international environmental agreements.
For more information:
Marco Pinzon
Montreal Protocol Regional Coordinator for Latin America
UNEP OzonAction
Email: marco.pinzon@un.org
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