Lebanon: renewal of institutional strengthening (UNEP/Ozl.Pro/ExCom/31/24)
Mexico: renewal of institutional strengthening (UNEP/Ozl.Pro/ExCom/31/24)
Uruguay: renewal of institutional strengthening (UNEP/Ozl.Pro/ExCom/31/24)
Venezuela: renewal of institutional strengthening (UNEP/Ozl.Pro/ExCom/31/24)
Having considered the recommendations of the Sub-Committee on Project Review (UNEP/OzL.Pro/ExCom/31/21, paras. 16 and 17), the Executive Committee decided:
- To approve the above four project proposals at the level of funding indicated in annex V to the present report;
- To express the following views to the Governments of the countries concerned:
Lebanon
The Executive Committee has reviewed the information presented with the institutional strengthening renewal request for Lebanon. The Executive Committee takes note, with appreciation, of the fact that the most recent data available to the Secretariat suggest that Lebanon will meet its freeze requirement and, with the projects already approved by the Fund, appears to be in a good position to meet the 2005, 50 per cent reduction required by the Montreal Protocol. In its submission, Lebanon reported on a number of important initiatives it has undertaken over the last few years, including the establishment of liaison with local institutions and the private sector, institution of a ban on halon imports, and the preparation of draft legislation for implementing a system to regulate the import and export of equipment bearing ozone-depleting substances, and the licensing of imports and exports of ozone-depleting substances. These and other activities reported are very encouraging, and the Executive Committee greatly appreciates the efforts of Lebanon. The Executive Committee also expresses the expectation that, during the two years covered by the institutional strengthening renewal, Lebanon will move forward to finalize its regulations and implement its import/export licensing programmes to help ensure compliance with the Protocol’s reduction requirements.
Mexico
The Executive Committee has reviewed the information presented with the institutional strengthening renewal request for Mexico. The Executive Committee takes note, with appreciation, of the fact that the most recent data available to the Secretariat suggest that Mexico will meet its freeze requirement and, with the projects already approved by the Fund, appears to be in a good position to meet the 2005, 50 per cent reduction required by the Montreal Protocol. In its submission, Mexico reported on a number of important initiatives it has undertaken over the last few years, including the establishment of national regulations, a ban on the import of commercial and domestic refrigeration equipment using CFCs, reductions amounting to 370 tons of methyl bromide, and institution of a licensing system. These and other activities reported are very encouraging, and the Executive Committee greatly appreciates the efforts of Mexico. Along with the data submitted to this meeting of the Executive Committee were data that raised issues about the level of consumption of halons in Mexico. The Executive Committee wishes to express appreciation for the statements of Mexico that it continues to work hard on this issue, and feels certain that it will comply in a timely fashion with related Protocol requirements. The Executive Committee also notes with appreciation that over the next two years Mexico intends to work on a strategy to deal with CFC production, and establish methyl bromide quotas designed to ensure that it will meet the requirements of the Montreal Protocol.
Uruguay
The Executive Committee has reviewed the information presented with the institutional strengthening renewal request for Uruguay. The Executive Committee takes note with appreciation of the fact that the most recent data available to the Secretariat suggest that Uruguay will meet its freeze obligation under the Protocol and, with the projects already approved by the Fund, appears to be making good progress toward meeting the 2005, 50 per cent reduction required by the Montreal Protocol. In its submission, Uruguay reported on a number of important initiatives it has undertaken over the last few years, including the implementation of a project for a refrigerant management plan, the establishment of a clear implementation agreement with the World Bank, and the execution of agreements with 13 enterprises using ozone-depleting substances to execute projects to reduce use of ozone-depleting substances. These and other activities reported are very encouraging, and the Executive Committee greatly appreciates the efforts of Uruguay. In its plan for the next two years, Uruguay notes its intent to undertake a number of activities at the national level, including gaining approval of a decree to ban production, import and export of equipment using CFCs, and coordinating with the national customs office to implement an import/export licensing system. The Executive Committee expresses the expectation that during the two years covered by the institutional strengthening renewal, Uruguay will move forward with these planned initiatives which are critical to helping ensure compliance with the Protocol’s reduction requirements.
Venezuela
The Executive Committee has reviewed the information presented with the institutional strengthening renewal request for Venezuela. The Executive Committee takes note, with appreciation, of the fact that the most recent data available to the Secretariat suggest that Venezuela will meet its freeze requirement, and, with the projects already approved by the Fund, appears to be well on its way to meeting the 2005, 50 per cent reduction required by the Montreal Protocol. In its submission, Venezuela reported on a number of important initiatives it has undertaken over the last few years, including implementation of national regulations regarding gathering and reporting of data on ozone-depleting substances, operation of a national halon bank, and implementation of a new decree establishing maximum allowable levels of production and import of ozone-depleting substances. The Executive Committee greatly appreciates these activities which should help to ensure compliance with Protocol obligations. The Executive Committee also appreciates Venezuela’s intent to work toward early phase-out of all ozone-depleting substances to achieve early compliance with the Protocol’s requirements.