African delegates discuss illegal trade in ozone depleting substances |21 June 2011

They are discussing the different ongoing illegal trade in ozone depleting substances faced by regional countries.

The four-day workshop, being held at the International Conference Centre, was officially launched yesterday by the principal secretary for environment Didier Dogley.

Through this network meeting, the countries taking part will also be more informed on the techniques that are being used to detect these illegal trades.

This meeting is also a key tool to review progress of the Montreal Protocol being carried out at the regional, sub-regional and national level.

It will also assist ozone unit officers and customs officers more in the monitoring of illegal trade.

Other important issues relating to the carrying out of the ozone agreement will also be discussed such as the status, review of the 2010 work plan and presentation of the 2011 business plan for Africa.

Present at the opening ceremony were head of OzonAction of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), division of technology, industry and economics Rajendra Shende, representative from the Ozone secretariat Gilbert Bankobeza and senior regional coordinator UNEP regional office for Africa Jeremy Bazye.

Others included Minister for Health Dr Erna Athanasius, vice-chancellor of the University of Seychelles Dr Rolph Payet, principal secretary for industry Lucy Athanasius, director general of the Climate and Environmental Services Division Wills Agricole and representatives from key government agencies and partners.

Two of these meetings are organised annually, for the English and French speaking African countries, and at the end of the year another one is hosted where all countries meet.

National ozone coordinator Inese Chang-Waye said during these workshops officers discuss options and strategies which have been or can be taken to phase out this illegal trade in ODS.

She said the meeting also aims to develop capacity building for the national ozone officers whereby they can learn from other countries.

Mrs Chang-Waye said though a small country, Seychelles has been able to deal with illegal trade in ODS.

“This has not been too difficult for us as we do not have any borders with other countries and we have only two ports of entry,” she said.

She added that customs officers have been trained on a regular basis as they are the first to detect if there is illegal trade.

She said public awareness is very important and is being done locally especially in schools and training is also done with several technicians.

Addressing those present, Mr Dogley said by hosting this meeting, Seychelles has been provided with an excellent chance to generate awareness among government agencies, its local partners and the public on ozone issues and the national phase-out policy and strategy of the ODS.

He said the meeting aims to provide a regular forum for the national ozone officers to interact with each other to strengthen and improve their capacities to carry out the Montreal Protocol.

This protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer ranks as one of the great success stories of international environmental diplomacy.

Seychelles, along with many other English-speaking African parties to the Montreal Protocol community, has accomplished major milestones in fulfilling their obligations under the protocol.

Mr Dogley gave examples of Seychelles’ successes such as phasing-out the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are highly ozone depleting substances.

This was done by meeting its Montreal Protocol obligations and targets three years ahead of the scheduled deadline of 2010.

He added that a series of policies and measures were carried out in order to achieve these successes, which include the country programme, the refrigeration management plan and the terminal phase-out management plan of CFCs.

Mr Dogley said Seychelles has already worked on a HCFC phase-out management plan – including a detailed assessment of the HCFCs use at national level.

During the ceremony, Mr Shende was presented with a token of appreciation for his hard work and devotion throughout the years as he will be retiring at the end of next month.

Others who addressed the delegates at the ceremony were Messrs Shende, Agricole and Bankobeza.