ANNEX 1

Universal ratification and implementation of the Montreal Protocol made possible by Regional Networks

UNEP faced the challenge during the fledgling stages of Montreal Protocol implementation of establishing and operating the Regional Networks. The Multilateral Fund (MLF) of the Montreal Protocol, as per the rules, only funded travel to network meetings for representatives of the countries that had ratified the Montreal. This was the appropriate decision, as it was expected to act as incentive for the other countries to ratify the Montreal Protocol. However, no national mechanism was in place at that time to inform supervisors and ministers on details of how to initiate the national process of ratification and how to get benefits of the ratification from the MLF or Global Environment Facility (in the case of countries with economies in transition (CEITs)) including acquiring advanced technology and ensuring a steady supply of ODS during the phase out.

UNEP’s OzonAction started the process of inviting non-Parties (countries that had not ratified the Montreal Protocol) toNetwork meetings, with financial support of Finland. Information and experiences of the countries in a region on overcoming the hurdles of understanding the process of ratification as well as subsequent policy-setting were shared. Regional peer-pressure to remain in the front of the international agreement also was helpful.

OzonAction arranged separate missions of the National Ozone Officers (NOOs) who were in advanced stage of implementation to help and mentor the NOOs who were lagging behind.

  • Zimbabwe’s NOO helped his Zambian counterpart to gain lost momentum and invigorate the institutional strengthening project.
  • Senegal’s NOO, in the economic and political wake of regional conflict, visited Burundi and helped draft the Country Programme, Refrigerant Management Plan, and Institutional Strengthening project.
  • The NOO from the Dominican Republic (which shares the same island as Haiti) worked closely with the Haitian NOO to help speed Haiti’s implementation of its Country Programme and reach compliance. The use of local expertise helped to increase the local supply of replacement technology and provided better-adjusted adaptation measures.
  • The Executive Council of the Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment (CAMRE), adopted a decision urging Arab countries to come in compliance with the Montreal Protocol and to co-operate on the implementation of the phase out strategies within the West Asia Network.
  • The African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) agreed to obtain high-level commitment from African countries to implement the Montreal Protocol control measures.
  • The Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) became an institutional member of the West Asia Network. The GCC Secretariat therefore requested the Regional Network Coordinator (RNC) of the West Asia Network to report on the compliance status of member countries of the Network, thus strengthening the Montreal Protocol implementation and providing additional impetus for improved compliance in the region. This particular example of engaging a regional organisation as a Network member is a valuable lesson for other MEAs on how to improve two-way interaction between international decision-makers and local implementers.
  • By year 2014, even amendments to the Montreal Protocol were ratified universally, a feat not achieved by any of the Multilateral Environmental Treaties.