OEWG 32 met in morning and afternoon plenary sessions on Wednesday. In the morning, the US, Canada and Mexico, and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) introduced their respective proposals for amendments to the Montreal Protocol related to hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Discussion on this matter was deferred in the afternoon pending a discussion between the OEWG Co-Chairs and a small group of countries on the potential establishment of a contact group on “a dialogue on possible actions by the Protocol to minimize the introduction of high-GWP HFC alternatives relating to the phasing-out of HCFCs.”

Delegates also discussed nominations for essential use exemptions for 2013 and several items under other matters, including: feedstock uses; assessment of a new potential ODS, RC-316c; and the mobilization of financing from sources other than the Multilateral Fund for maximizing the climate benefit of the accelerated phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).