13Thinternational DAY for the PRESERVATION of the OZONE LAYER

WELCOME ADDRESS

DR. B.P.NILARATNA

JOINT SECRETARY (E & F)

ON THE OCCASION OF

13thINTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE OZONE LAYER

16TH SEPTEMBER 2007

SRI SATHYA SAI INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR HUMAN VALUES PRAGATI VIHAR, LODHI ROAD,NEW DELHI

I have the privilege to extend my heartiest welcome to all the participants to the celebrations of the 13thInternational Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. The UN General Assembly in 1994 adopted a resolution which proclaims 16th September as the International Day, to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol on the Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer which was signed on 16th September, 1987. Today we are also celebrating the 20th year of the signing of the Montreal Protocol, which has been hailed as perhaps the most successful international treaty to date and provides a message of hope for working cooperatively to solve major environmental problems.The Theme for this year’s International Ozone Dayis: “Celebrating 20 years of progress in 2007”.

The Protocol was the culmination of decades of research, which established that chemicals released in the atmosphere could damage the ozone layer. A depleted Ozone Layer in the stratosphere allows the Ultra Violet rays of the sun to reach the earth exposing mankind, flora and fauna to its harmful effects. According to the World Health Organization each year between 2-3 million skin cancers are detected would wide and upto 20% of these may be caused or enhanced by sun exposure.

Initially on the basis of very definite empirical findings, the Protocol enjoined upon all the signatory nations to completely phase out harmful chemicals such as Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), halons, Carbontetrachloride (CTC), Methylchloroform in a given time schedule. Later, other studies have brought more chemicals such as Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) and Methyl bromide under the purview of the Protocol for phasing out within a given deadline.

191 Parties have ratified the Protocol and a strong multilateral mechanism for facilitating phase out of production and consumption of ODSs is in place. Montreal Protocol, as an international agreement, achieves its objectives through well established and regulated financial mechanism. The financial mechanism for providing assistance was established under the Montreal Protocol through its London Amendment in 1990. In addition to providing technology support and funding for conversion to non-ODS technologies to the industry, capacity building support is also provided to various stakeholders in the form of awareness generation activities, training and networking. Further, regional facilities have also been developed for facilitating cooperation among countries with strong regional inter-linkages relevant to ODSs Phase-out.

We are honored to have our Special Secretary, Environment and Forests with us on this occasion. We extend our warm welcome to you Sir and would like to thank you forhaving graced this occasion despite your busy schedule.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Dr. Vikram Kumar, Director, National Physical Laboratory. His contributions to the field of Science and Environment are highly acclaimed. Dr.Vikram Kumar is the recipient of the prestigious SS Bhatnagar Award in 1992.

I congratulate all the winners of the prizesof various competitions organized by the Ozone Cell.

Once again I welcome you all to the thirteenth International Ozone Day celebrations.

Thank you.