FIRST INTER-REGIONAL THEMATIC TECHNICAL WORKSHOPS AND REGIONAL NETWORK MEETINGS FOR NATIONAL OZONE OFFICERS

The United Nations Environment Economy Division OzonAction Compliance Assistance Programme hosted the first Inter-Regional Thematic Technical Workshops and Regional Network Meetings for National Ozone Officers on 15th to 19th January 2018 in Paris, France.

The meeting took place in the context of the ongoing phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) under the HPMPs, and the ambitious Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol to phase-down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which commits parties to significantly reduce consumption and production of HFCs. The meeting enabled OzonAction and its implementing partners (UNIDO, UNDP, World Bank and GIZ) to discuss details of the issues currently facing Montreal Protocol Parties in the following three thematic areas: HCFC Phase-out commitments and sustaining compliance with prior targets, the Refrigeration Servicing Sector, and HFC Phase-down.

The specific topics addressed included: strategic direction of HPMPs, technology selection and trends, customs and enforcement, standards and flammable refrigerants, Refrigeration Servicing Sector, Kigali and HFCs, and policy and legislation. Through the meeting, regional perspectives on each of these topics were presented and discussed. Recommendations were also made to help countries resolve the issues.

Additionally, the experiences of countries within the region in dealing with the adoption of standards in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) sector, trade of illegal and unwanted refrigerants, border control and challenges in acquisition of equipment, were deliberated.

Issues of importance to Trinidad and Tobago included the recommendations presented on the various thematic areas, the capacity building tools and materials available for use by the NOU and technicians, the University course on Refrigerant Management available for adoption, and the opportunity to internationally recognize deserving customs and enforcement officials or organizations that have assisted in the implementation of the Montreal Protocol.   

The meeting embraced a participatory approach, allowing the exchange of experiences, discussions and co-operation with all countries present, OzonAction, the Multilateral Fund, implementing agencies and experts.

The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was represented at the First Inter-Regional Thematic Technical Workshops and Regional Network Meeting by Mrs. Krysten Harris, HPMP Monitoring and Evaluation Assistant.