April 3, 2006

Multilateral Fund meeting opens in Montreal

The 48^th Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol was opened today by Mr. Khaled Klaly of the Syrian Arab Republic who is serving as Chair of the Executive Committee during 2006.  Mr. Klaly recalled that in 2006 the Multilateral Fund celebrates 15 years of “creating a real change for the environment” and he thanked the Government of Canada for its generous support in providing a home for the Multilateral Fund in Montreal. The Multilateral Fund is the first United Nations environment body to be hosted by the Government of Canada.

At this first Executive Committee Meeting in 2006, delegates will decide how to plan the Committee’s business over the next three years and how to allocate the replenishment budget of US$ 470 million for 2006 – 2008 earmarked to assist developing countries eliminate the production and consumption of harmful ozone depleting substances (ODS).  Despite an impressive track record the success of the Multilateral Fund will be measured by the extent to which developing countries comply with the Montreal Protocol’s targets for the phase-out of ODS.   With 2010 set as the Montreal Protocol phase-out target for CFCs and halons, the two most commonly used ODS, Mr. Klaly stressed that it was imperative that the Committee base the Fund’s financial and business planning on the needs of developing countries to comply with the Montreal Protocol.

The 48th Meeting of the Executive Committee is being held from 3-7 April 2006 in Montreal, Quebec.  The Meeting will be attended by representatives of the following countries that are members of the Executive Committee:  Brazil, Burundi, Guinea, India, Mexico, the Syrian Arab Republic and Zambia (developing countries) and Australia, Belgium Czech Republic, Italy, Japan, Sweden and the USA (developed countries).

Background information  

The ozone layer which absorbs ultraviolet radiation harmful to living organisms and human health, is in danger from several chemicals currently used in industry and agriculture such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform and methyl bromide.

The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol began its operation in 1991. The main objective of the Multilateral Fund is to assist developing country parties to the Montreal Protocol whose annual per capita consumption and production of ozone-depleting substances is less than 0.3 kg to comply with the control measures of the Protocol. These countries are referred to as Article 5 countries.

The Fund is managed by an Executive Committee chaired in 2006 by Khaled Klaly of Syria. The Committee is assisted by the Fund Secretariat which is based in Montreal.  Activities are implemented by four international agencies (UNDP, UNEP, UNIDO, World Bank) and a number of bilateral government agencies.  Responsibility for overseeing the operation of the Fund rests with the Executive Committee comprising seven members each from Article 5 countries (Brazil, Burundi, Guinea, India, Mexico, the Syrian Arab Republic and Zambia) and non-Article 5 countries (Australia, Belgium Czech Republic, Italy, Japan, Sweden and the USA).  Since 1991, the Multilateral Fund has approved activities including industrial conversion, technical assistance, training and capacity building worth over US $2 billion.

For further information, please contact:

Julia Anne Dearing
Information Management Officer
Secretariat of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol
1800 McGill College, 27th floor
Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 3J6
Phone: +1-(514) 282-1122
Cell : +1 514 568  9375
Fax: +1 (514) 282-0068
Email: secretariat@unmfs.org
Website:  www.multilateralfund.org