Highlights and images for 4 July 2019

Thailand

  1. Negotiations
  2. Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
  3. 41st Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (OEWG 41)

Summary

Highlights for Thursday, 4 July 2019

Paul Newman, Co-Chair of SAP, analyzing some text with Bella Maranion and Helen Tope, Co-Chairs of TEAP

OEWG 41 convened for its penultimate day on Thursday, 4 July 2019, in Bangkok, Thailand.Plenary addressed the remaining agenda items, as well as outstanding issues. The remaining agenda items deliberated include the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) at risk of non-compliance with the Montreal Protocol as a result of UN Security Council sanctions, and the role the Montreal Protocol can play in the sustainability of the cold chain with a view to reducing food losses.Outstanding agenda items were discussed in contact groups and informal consultations before reporting to plenary. Highlights include:

  • an informal group discussed the Government of Italy's proposal to have a roundtable during the High Level Segment of MOP 31 regarding the Protocol’s role in the sustainability of the cold chain;
  • an informal group on the TEAP terms of reference (ToR) discussed current procedures for TEAP nominations and the matrix of expertise;
  • the contact group on CFC-11 issues emphasized addressing institutional structure and Montreal Protocol requirements to more effectively monitor potential illegal trade of controlled substances such as CFC-11; and
  • an informal group on the ToR for the 2022 Quadrennial Assessment, with discussion on assessing emissions trends, human health, and biodiversity and ecosystem health.

    • Three side events were held during day: ‘Energy efficiency in Servicing – past impacts of HPMP training and future potential’ organized by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), ‘Energy efficiency and refrigerant containment in supermarkets in Argentina’ organized by the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and ‘Actions and Opportunities in Efficient Cooling’ organized by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and its partners.As the rains came down in Bangkok, delegates toiled hard. All the agenda items for discussions had been introduced, so it remained for delegates to reach consensus on issues for consideration at the upcoming MOP. Many were concerned that despite the heavy schedule, not enough progress is being made to pave the way for a smooth MOP; others, however, seemed nonplussed, saying that at the end of the day, the crucial discussions are always deferred to the MOP.

    IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) meeting coverage, is providing daily web coverage from OEWG 41. In addition, IISD Reporting Services has published a summary and analysis from the meeting, which is available in HTML and PDF.

    Photos by IISD/ENB | Sean Wu

    For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page

    The dais during the morning session
    Yong Hui Phyon, DPRK
    Ralph Brieskorn, the Netherlands
    Jessica Escaip, New Zealand
    Tom Land, US, speaking informally with Lamia Benabbas, UNIDO
    Samuel Pare and
    Adama Sawadogo, Burkina Faso
    Epimeny Nibizi, Burundi
    Cindy Newberg and Nancy Akerman, US, in discussion with Stephen Montzka, SAP
    Delegates from Italy having a discussion during the plenary
    TEAP Co-Chair, Ian Porter, consutling with delegates from China
    Shang Baoxi, China
    Reine Marie Coly Badiane, Senegal 
    John Thompson, US, sharing a laugh with Kate Helfenstein-Louw, IISD/ENB

    Paul Newman, Co-Chair SAP, discussing a document with Bella Maranion and Helen Tope, Co-Chairs TEAP
    Tom Land, US
    Lara Haidar, Lebanon
    Contact Groups
    Parties convening for the contact group on the ToR for the study on the Multilateral Fund (MLF) replenishment
    Informal consultations on the Rome Declaration for MOP 31
    The Contact Group on CFC-11 issues
    The informal group on the review of the TEAP ToR
    The informal group on MLF Executive Committee membership
    The informal group on the ToR for the 2022 Quadrennial Assessment
    Around the Venue
    Philip Owen, EU, and the Italian delegation
    OEWG 41 Co-Chair Laura-Juliana Arciniegas, and the Colombian delegation
    Paul Krajnik, Austria, and the Finnish delegation
    Delegates from the Middle East in conversation

    Participants

    Negotiating blocs
    European Union