Highlights and images for 16 July 2026

With the plenary having completed the first reading of all items on the agenda in the morning, delegates spent the remainder of the day rushing between contact groups and informal groups as they tried to advance consideration of issues before the next Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (MOP).  

In the morning plenary, Cuba presented a conference room paper (CRP) requesting the Executive Committee (ExCom) of the Multilateral Fund (MLF) to incorporate specific conclusions of the 2027–2029 MLF replenishment report into the 2028 review of the cost guidelines, namely the ones relating to the special needs of low- and very low-volume consuming countries. After delegates showed support for the “spirit” of the proposal, they agreed to incorporate the CRP’s principles and ideas into the guidance for the supplementary report being prepared to inform the MLF replenishment.

Rwanda then presented on the arrangements for MOP 38, scheduled to be held in early November 2026 in Kigali, 10 years after the adoption of the landmark Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. She announced that the African Group is preparing a declaration that captures the political spirit and forward-looking ambition of MOP 38. Many Parties welcomed the preparations and that an information note about MOP logistics will be available soon.

Azerbaijan then presented a CRP that seeks to clarify its status under the Kigali Amendment it had ratified in late 2025, namely in relation to Article 2(j) of the Montreal Protocol. They raised practical implementation issues, including establishing a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) consumption baseline, setting up a regulatory framework, and sequencing control measures.

While there was some support for the proposal, Parties agreed that Azerbaijan should first discuss with other delegations different aspects of the proposal, including its rationale, the data behind it, and how it would make a practical difference, before bringing the matter back to plenary on Friday.

Lesotho then presented a CRP before immediately announcing its withdrawal. The CRP proposed to request further information from the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) and the Scientific Assessment Panel on nitrous oxide, arguing it is the last ozone-depleting substance (ODS) not controlled by the Protocol. Despite the CRP’s withdrawal, delegates engaged in a heated debate. Some argued this ODS is outside the scope of the Montreal Protocol and including it could distract from implementation efforts, while others looked forward to further discussion.

In the afternoon, delegates addressed the following matters in contact and informal groups: 

• providing additional guidance to the TEAP for its supplementary report on the 2027–2029 MLF replenishment, for consideration at MOP 38; 
• ensuring the viability of Montreal Protocol operations, including potential changes to the timing of, Secretariat support for, and length of meetings under the Protocol, and the timing of replenishment decisions; 
• options for the re-organization of the TEAP and its technical options committees; 
• further strengthening Montreal Protocol institutions, including improving licensing systems; and 
• the participation of Central Asian States in the Eastern European Group.