For more than three decades, the Multilateral Fund (MLF) has collaborated with partners worldwide to address the depletion of the ozone layer and take action to mitigate climate change. Working side-by-side with international agencies, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the World Bank, as well as industry partners, it exemplifies the power of international cooperation in driving positive change.
The MLF’s four implementing agencies liaise with the National Ozone Offices (NOUs) of Article 5 countries (developing countries) and support them in the design of project proposals and the relevant preparatory work and enabling activities. The implementing agencies collaborate with the MLF Secretariat in the review of project proposals and participate in the Executive Committee meetings. They are responsible for conducting project implementation, monitoring and reporting. They also support capacity-buiding in Article 5 countries through institutional strengthening projects.
- UNEP supports Article 5 countries with their national plans to help them comply with the Montreal Protocol schedules. It also leads the implementation of projects in most of the low-volume consuming (LVC) countries. UNEP’s Compliance Assistance Programme manages regional networks of Ozone Officers, which promote both intra- and interregional cooperation and exchange.
- UNDP and UNIDO implement technical assistance, investment, and demonstration projects to assist Article 5 countries in complying with their phase-out and phase-down obligations under the Montreal Protocol.
- The World Bank designs and implements mainly large-scale projects in both the consumption and production sectors, mostly in non-LVC countries.
Bilateral agencies also engage in a range of project activities such as training, technical assistance, and the introduction of ozone and climate-friendly technologies.