Highlights and images for 15 July 2026

Delegates took a deep dive into almost all agenda items at the 48th meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (OEWG 48). Nothing less than the viability of operations, institutions, and instruments under the Protocol are at stake.

In the morning, delegates addressed specific technical challenges related to finding alternatives for substances controlled by the Protocol. For fire suppression in civil aviation, delegates welcomed the news that the chemical 2-BTP was approved by some Parties as an alternative to halon 1301, which has a high global warming potential (GWP) of 7,140 CO2-equivalent. However, Article 5 (developing) countries pointed out that the transition to alternatives must be affordable and economically viable.

Equally for metered-dose inhalers used in the treatment of chronic respiratory conditions like asthma, delegates noted several positive developments, including the approval and further development of low-GWP alternative propellants as well as the increased use of dry powder inhalers. On the other hand, several delegations stated that public health and affordability must always be prioritized over environmental considerations. 

Further on the technological front, Canada presented a conference room paper (CRP) on Steam Plasma Arc as a new and efficient destruction technology for substances controlled by the Protocol, which was forwarded to the 38th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (MOP 38) in November for adoption.

In the afternoon, delegates discussed further progress on the enhancement of regional atmospheric monitoring of substances controlled by the Protocol, based on a presentation by the Secretariat and the Advisory Committee of the General Trust Fund for Financing Activities on Research and Systematic Observations Relevant to the Vienna Convention.

Delegates noted that the Advisory Committee identified eight potentially suitable locations in five priority regions for the establishment of monitoring sites: India/Bangladesh, Viet Nam, Botswana/South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil/Argentina. Three Parties—Brazil, South Africa, and Viet Nam—have so far notified the Secretariat of their interest in setting up monitoring stations. Funding for these pilot projects is expected to come from the EU and the Montreal Protocol’s Multilateral Fund (MLF). Delegates agreed to further discuss this matter at MOP 38.

Delegates also discussed further strengthening Montreal Protocol institutions, which mainly relates to systems for licensing the import and export of new, used, recycled, and reclaimed controlled substances. Many agreed with the importance of improving licensing systems and data sharing but cautioned against any new reporting requirements or other measures that could burden Article 5 Parties with additional obligations.

In the late afternoon, Parties discussed a CRP submitted by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan on the continued participation of the Central Asian States in the Eastern European Group. Several countries supported the proposal, stressing the longstanding and constructive participation of those countries in the regional group, while others noted that regional group membership should not be decided by the MOP, but rather by consensus among members of the group. Informal consultations will continue on this matter.

In contact and informal groups, delegates further discussed: 

• the 2027–2029 MLF replenishment, for which the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) will produce a supplementary report for consideration at MOP 38; 
• options for the re-organization of the TEAP and its technical options committees;  and 
• further strengthening Montreal Protocol institutions, including improving licensing systems.