DOHA: Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment observed the ‘International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer’ yesterday.
The day which falls on September 16 focuses on the importance of protecting human health and the environment. This event commemorates the date of the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987.
As part of these global celebrations, the Ministry received a delegation from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to share the efforts made by Qatar in its obligations to implement the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and 31 years after the Montreal Protocol, said a release.
The visiting delegation of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) expressed its appreciation for the efforts of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, the progress made by the ozone layer protection system and the commitment of the State of Qatar to implement the requirements of the Montreal Convention under the wise leadership of H H the Amir.
On January 22, 1996, the State of Qatar acceded to the 1985 Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer, the 1987 Montreal Protocol on ODS and the London and Copenhagen Amendments. On January 29, 2009, Qatar ratified the Montreal and Beijing Amendments to the Montreal Protocol.
Aisha Ahmed Al Baker, Director of the Radiation and Chemical Protection Department which is responsible for following up the implementation of the United Nations multilateral conventions on the protection of the ozone layer, noted that Qatar made achievements in several areas.
She said that the Montreal Protocol has approved several projects for Qatar since the accession of the State to the Club of the recipient countries of the Fund. These achievements includes issuance of legislation and laws to implement the conventions The law aims at regulating the import, re-export, transfer and storage of devices, equipment and products that have been developed for control and complete disposal of ozone-depleting substances and the replacement of safe alternatives.
The State shall periodically inform the Secretariat of the Convention and the Multilateral Fund Secretariat of the total and sectoral consumption of each substance.
For its part, the ministry is cooperating with the state agencies concerned with monitoring the imports and exports of HCFCs, as well as monitoring illegal practices in the trade of depleting substances, tightening market controls and holding training programs for various stakeholders.
“This year’s celebration of the International Day for the Protection of the Ozone is under the theme” Keep calm and continue, “said Hussein Kubaisi, the National Focal Point for the Montreal Protocol and Director of the Environmental Monitoring Department of the Ministry.
