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19th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol
(MOP-19)
17-21 September 2007
Montreal, Canada |
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Highlights from Friday, 21 September
10:54 pm: MOP-19 President Khalid Al-Ali gavels the meeting to a close |
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On Friday, delegates convened in preparatory and high-level sessions to conclude MOP-19's work. In the afternoon preparatory segment, delegates agreed to forward a range of draft decisions to the high-level segment, including draft decisions on the Terms of Reference for a study on the Multilateral Fund, and the Montreal Declaration. The HCFC contact group convened throughout the day and at 9.35pm reported back to plenary where delegates forwarded a landmark decision on accelerated HCFC phase-out to the high-level segment. The high-level segment approved the related decisions and MOP-19 Bureau President Khalid Al-Ali thanked delegates and the Secretariat for their hard work, and Canada for hosting the meeting. He announced that the next MOP will be held in Doha, Qatar, and gaveled the meeting to a close at 10.54 pm.
9:35 pm: Landmark agreement reached on HCFC adjustments
7:15 pm: HCFC Contact Group still meeting... Plenary still scheduled for 9:00 pm 6:00 pm: Preparatory Segment postponed until 9:00 pm pending the conclusion of the HCFCs Contact Group |
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| High-Level Segment: Statements by heads of delegations |
| Executive Secretary Marco Gonzalez and MOP-19 President Khalid Al-Ali, Qatar |
Esteban Vega Ugalde, Ecuador (left), stressed the need for sustained funding to accelerate HCFC phase-out. W.L. Sumathipala, Sri Lanka (right), highlighted the need for viable alternatives to meet the challenge of HCFC phase-out.
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David Kantor, Greenpeace, called on parties to ensure that HCFCs are not replaced by hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with high global warming potential.
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Didier Coulomb, International Institute of Refrigeration, emphasized that environmentally-friendly refrigerants have been developed. He stressed that any decision on refrigerants should differentiate between industrial and non-industrialized countries and that cooperation and funding are vital to transfer technologies. |
Luca Lorusso, Holy See (left), presented a statement by Pope Benedict XVI to the delegates at MOP-19. Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat. Pakistan (right), supported increased multilateral funding to transform industries to ozone friendly technologies and alternatives.
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| Executive Secretary Gonzalez with delegates (left) and former Executive Secretary K. Madhava Sarma, Chief Officer of the Multilateral Fund Maria Nolan,
Sateeaved Seebaluck, Mauritius, and Judy
Beaumont, South Africa (right) |
| Afternoon Preparatory Segment |
| Marco Gonzalez with Preparatory Segment Co-Chairs Marcia Levaggi and Mikkel Sorensen |
Judy Beaumont, South Africa (left), presents the draft decision on eligibility of South Africa for financial assistance from the Multilateral Fund. Alessandro Guiliano-Peru, Italy, reported on the results of the budget contact group. |
Tom Land, US, said he was gratified by the efficiency of the Secretariat and said that the leadership of Pierre Pinault and the goodwill of the group
contact group enabled the merging of the US and EU proposals and resulted in reaching agreement. Marcus Wandinger, European Commission, said that he appreciates the work of the MBTOC,and the group followed their recommendations.
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| Evening Preparatory Segment |
| A "thumbs up" and applause after adoption of the HCFC adjustment decision |
| Maas Goote, HCFC Contact Group Co-Chair (left), presents the draft decision on HCFC adjustments to the Preparatory Segment; China (right) said they had "complex emotions" regarding the HCFC adjustment, stressing the importance of this achievement while expressing concern about the significant effectsi it will have on their economy. |
| High-Level Segment Closing Plenary |
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| Transitioning from the preparatory to the high-level segment |
The Russian Federation (above) emphasized his desire for compromise and constructive cooperation on the HCFC phase-out, and congratulated delegates. |
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| Waleed Mohd. Al-Emadi, Qatar (right), presented his country's offer to host MOP-20 in Doha in 2008 |
| Canadian Environment Minister John Baird described the agreement as a historic achievement for ozone protection and the fight against global warming. |
| TEAP Champion, Innovators and Partners Awards |
| TEAP members at the dinner table |
| Green Customs Initiative received an award for their efforts to track trade in relevant substances (left) and
Bruce Cox, Executive Director of Greenpeace Canada, receives the award for Greenpeace International. |
| TEAP members pose for a group shot after receiving their awards. (Photo: Environment Canada) |
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