African countries meet in Kigali to discuss ozone protection |30 May 2023

Mr Salifu

Seychelles participated in the Regional Network Meeting for National Ozone Officers of the English-Speaking African countries back-to-back with Thematic Workshop for Customs Officers in Kigali from May 8-12, 2023.

The country was represented by assistant ozone officer Marie-Neige Philoe from the Ozone Unit in the Department of Climate Change and Customs manager Diana Belle from Customs Office.

The aim of the meeting was an opportunity for the participants to exchange experience, develop their skills, and share knowledge to fulfil their obligations under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

The meeting was also part of the Regional Network service, provided by Ozone Action’s Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP) to developing countries as part of its role as an Implementing Agency of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.

The meeting was divided into 2 phases; the first phase was conducted for three days, targeting mainly the ozone officers. As for the second phase of the meeting, Customs representatives were invited to join the meeting together with the ozone officers.

In the first phase networking meeting of ozone officers, the main objectives were to ensure that all participating countries have an understanding and are equipped with knowledge that will facilitate a reduction in the consumption and production of hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) to 67.5 percentage of their baselines by January 1, 2025; to coordinate countries’

actions to set up a joint network that will enable us to control the emission of harmful gases that deplete ozone layer; and lastly to set up a joint network that will provide support among countries that will enable implementation of projects and achieve set goals.

Patrick Salifu, the regional coordinator for the Montreal Protocol in Anglophone African countries, revealed that there are still some challenges on the road to ozone layer recovery, including the illegal trade of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) in certain African countries.

Mr Salifu affirms that with continued efforts endowed by countries by 2060 the ozone layer is expected to be restored.

“You find a country is doing all it can do to phase out but beside you find other people illegally trading ODS. Mainly it’s the issue of illegal trade, in most of the African countries, that is undermining the efforts that we are doing in ozone layer recovery,” stated Mr Salifu.

Despite these challenges, there is hope for the restoration of the ozone layer. Recent studies have shown that the ozone layer is on track to heal completely by the middle of this century. This is due to various initiatives and policies, including the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, adopted in 2016. The amendment designed to eliminate the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). It should be noted that various African countries, such as Seychelles, Rwanda and Mauritius, have made significant progress in implementing the Montreal Protocol. They have accomplished this by prohibiting the importation, exportation, and use of products containing ODS, and have implemented strict enforcement measures to ensure compliance.

The phase 2 Thematic Workshop for Customs managers was an opportunity to strengthen partnership between ozone officers and Customs authorities. Custom managers from 28 Anglophone countries joined in the thematic workshop in Kigali, for the two remaining days, (May 11-12, 2023). The objectives were to share good practices, work through challenges, have discussions and identify the best approach to strengthen the enforcement of licensing systems. Participation of Customs managers was essential as they are the ones who deal with the importation and exportation of goods in their respective countries.

The workshop had a variety of agenda consisting of presentations, discussions, practical demonstrations, group work as well as interactive exercises. The meeting focused on ODS trade control, the management of seized and unwanted ODS, facilitation of legal trade and combatting illegal trade of environmentally sensitive commodities, highlighting enforcement mechanisms, coordination activities, availability information, materials and resources.

The final day of the workshop was dedicated to bilateral discussions, providing a confidential setting which allowed countries to examine their import-export statistics and compare with trading partners, explore the differences in reported in import-export data and offer recommendation and the way forward.

The meeting ended with a note from Custom officers and National ozone officers renewing their engagement to continue to work together as a team to achieve the goals of the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer and to protect Mother Earth from danger.

Contributed