Decision 98/62

The Executive Committee decided:

1. To note document UNEP/OzL.Pro/ExCom/98/61 on matters relating to pilot projects to enhance regional atmospheric monitoring of substances controlled by the Montreal Protocol (decision 96/56);
2. To approve:
   1. The guidelines for the preparation of pilot projects to enhance regional atmospheric monitoring of substances controlled by the Montreal Protocol, contained in annex LXX to the present report;
   2. The guidelines for the implementation of pilot projects to enhance regional atmospheric monitoring of substances controlled by the Montreal Protocol, contained in annex LXXI to the present report;
   3. The template Agreement between the Executive Committee and the Article 5 country concerned for pilot projects to establish and operate a regional atmospheric monitoring station, contained in annex LXXII to the present report;
3. To establish a funding window of US $9,250,000 for three pilot projects to enhance regional atmospheric monitoring of substances controlled by the Montreal Protocol, including the preparation, implementation and capacity-building activities as specified in table 1 of document UNEP/OzL.Pro/ExCom/98/61; 
4. To request that project preparation proposals under the funding window be submitted to the 102nd meeting, and to request the Secretariat to seek the scientific guidance of the Advisory Committee of the General Trust Fund for Financing Activities on Research and Systematic Observations Relevant to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer during project review;
5. To add to the funding window the amount of US $1,800,000 for the continuation of operation of three atmospheric monitoring stations to be established with the support of the General Trust Fund, on the understanding that project proposals to access the funding would be submitted to the Executive Committee;
6. To encourage Article 5 countries to make use of the expertise of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) by selecting it as the lead or cooperating implementing agency for pilot projects to enhance regional atmospheric monitoring of substances controlled by the Montreal Protocol; 
7. To request the Secretariat, in collaboration with WMO, to develop draft agency agreements with the Executive Committee and with the Treasurer, in line with the Agreements between the Committee and the implementing agencies, and the Agreements between the implementing agencies and the Treasurer, for the Committee’s consideration and endorsement at its 99th meeting;
8. To note:
   1. That bilateral and implementing agencies of pilot projects to enhance regional atmospheric monitoring of substances controlled by the Montreal Protocol would seek the guidance of the Advisory Committee on preparing and implementing such pilot projects, and would submit a report on implementation of the respective pilot project to the 107th meeting;
   2. That the Secretariat would share relevant information from the preparation and implementation of the pilot projects referred to in subparagraph (h)(i) above with the Advisory Committee;
9. To request the Secretariat to prepare, for the 107th meeting, a paper providing an update on the status of implementation, lessons learned and recommendations, if any, from the implementation of project preparation proposals;
10. To request the Secretariat to prepare, for the 107th meeting, a paper outlining options for the duration and provision of incremental recurring costs, taking into account the information contained in the reports submitted in line with subparagraph (h)(i) above and other relevant information; and
11. To request bilateral and implementing agencies to include in their relevant business plans requests for funding for the projects specified in subparagraph (c) above for Article 5 countries that wished to undertake such projects.