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Sixteenth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol

22-26 November, 2004 | Prague, Czech Republic

 Earth Negotiations Bulletin - ENB
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 Mon 22
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Highlights from Monday, 22 November

The Sixteenth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP-16) began on Monday morning with opening speeches, followed by the adoption of the agenda and agreement on the organization of work. Delegates then took up issues arising out of the reports of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP). In the afternoon, delegates resumed their consideration of TEAP-related matters, before turning to the agenda item on methyl bromide.

Libor Ambrozek, Minister of Environment, Czech Republic, addressess the Meeting of the Parties during the opening of the Preparatory Segment
Opening of the Preparatory Segment

A Czech band performed for the delegates at the opening of the meeting

 
 

UNEP Deputy Executive Director Shafqat Kakakhel, Executive Secretary, Ozone Secretariat and Libor Ambrozek, Minister of Environment, Czech Republic

In his statement, U NEP Deputy Executive Director Shafqat Kakakhel drew attention to six main topics on MOP-16's agenda: issues arising out of TEAP reports; methyl bromide; the Multilateral Fund; ratification, data reporting, compliance, and international and illegal trade; membership of various bodies and committees; and administrative and financial matters.

Minister Ambrozek called for a collective approach to applying the precautionary principle. He urged delegates to work in a spirit of consensus and to heed the recommendations of the recent Scientific Symposium.

Reports of the Technical and Economic Assessment Panel and considerations arising out of the reports

Masaki Yamabe, TEAP member and CTOC Co-Chair, and Jose Pons, TEAP Co-Chair and ATOC Co-Chair (left) and Jonathan Banks, MBTOC

On the report of the process agents Task Force, José Pons, Co-Chair of TEAP, suggested Parties clarify whether a process agent use for which there are alternatives in table A of Decision X/14 should be approved for both Article 5 and non-Article 5 Parties. He said that Inclusion of a process agent use in table A should not be used to allow for their use in non-Article 5 counties, but should facilitate their phase out supported by the Multilateral Fund.

Johathan Banks, Co-Chair of the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee (MBTOC), discussed MBTOC's review of the 2004 methyl bromide critical use nominations (CUNs) and the revised handbook for CUNs.
     

Lambert Kuijpers, TEAP Co-Chair, Halons Technical Options Committee (HTOC) representative David Catchpole, and Ian Rae, TEAP member and CTOC Co-Chair

Lambert Kuijpers presented the report of the TEAP Basic Domestic Needs Task Force. He explains that the study was aimed at examining the production required to meet basic domestic needs, but notes that the task force was unable to draw conclusions due to a lack of data.

Janusz Kozakiewicz, Co-Chair of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) (left) presided over the Preparatory Segment of the MOP
 
 
Japan asks for the floor (left) , and Victor Yameogo, Director, Ozone Unit, Ministry of Environment Burkina Faso (right)
Pierre Pinault, Canada (left), and Nelson Espinosa, Cuba (right)