July 17, 2006

36 developing countries receive funds to eliminate substances that harm the ozone layer

A further US $21 million has been provided from the Multilateral Fund to 36 developing countries to phase-out over 1,143 tonnes of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as CFCs, carbon tetrachloride, halons, and methyl bromide. The Multilateral Fund has a mandate to assist developing countries to comply with the timetable for the phase-out of ODS set by the Montreal Protocol.  Funds approved at the 49^th Meeting of the Executive Committee ranged from between US $10.8 million to India to progress the gradual phase-out of production and consumption of carbon tetracholride, a common ozone-depleting solvent that was formerly used in large quantities in many cleaning applications, down to US $44,000 to provide additional institutional support for five Pacific Island Countries that are facing challenges to phase-out CFCs used in critical refrigeration servicing sector applications such as food preservation.  In addition the Executive Committee earmarked a further US $2.7 million for a number of performance-based national phase-out plans that, when implemented, will phase-out ODS in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Syrian Arab Republic and Tunisia.

While the majority of developing countries are well-positioned to comply with the timetable for ODS phase out set by the Montreal Protocol, the  Executive Committee members were reminded that several countries must still confront a number of challenges.   In order to maintain the Multilateral Fund’s success, it is vital that projects and activities in the business plans of the Fund’s implementing agencies are approved and subsequently implemented in a timely and sustainable manner.  

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 Mr. 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 implementing agencies of donor countries.  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