Message of Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on the occasion of World Ozone Day 16 September 2024
Message of Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on the occasion of World Ozone Day 16 September 2024
Today, we join the international community in taking stock of our efforts to protect the ozone layer, which protects every living thing on the planet from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, and express our commitment to continue doing so. do.
Unfortunately, the ozone layer has been seriously affected by human activities and has caused a crack in it. The crack in the ozone layer has endangered every living thing on the planet, including humans. However, as a result of global efforts through the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol under the United Nations, the success in reducing the ozone layer to a considerable extent is encouraging.
Pakistan played a key role in these international initiatives to protect the ozone layer of the international community.
Pakistan ratified the Montreal Protocol in 1992 which reflects our commitment to phase out Ozone Depleting Chemicals (ODS). Since then, Pakistan has crossed significant milestones in this regard. In 1996, the Government of Pakistan specially established a National Ozone Unit (NOU) to continue the efforts to protect the ozone layer. Under this unit, through its joint efforts with Pakistan Customs, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry, Ministry of Commerce, technical experts and engineers, importers and traders, the eleven phases of the Montreal Protocol have been successfully completed.
Pakistan has phased out the first category of ozone-depleting chemicals by 2009 and has achieved a target of 50% reduction in HCFCs by January 2020. At the same time, we are on track to meet the 67.5% reduction target by 2025 by shifting many of our industries to ozone-friendly technologies. Our collective commitment to environmental protection continues in full force as we prepare for the HFC phase-down under the Kigali Amendment.
I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our government’s unwavering commitment to ongoing joint initiatives for environmental protection. Our collective efforts to protect the ozone layer reflect our responsibility for environmental protection and our commitment to sustainable development. Let us pledge to continue our united efforts to protect the planet for future generations under the theme this time “Montreal Protocol – Advancing Climate Actions”.
