Guterres calls on world countries to renew commitment to preserving the ozone layer.

Arab Sea Newspaper - News Updates

Arab Sea - Follow-ups: The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, called on the countries of the world to renew their commitment to preserving the ozone layer and protecting people and the planet for future generations. In his annual message on the occasion of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, which falls on September 16 of each year, he said, "Forty years ago, countries came together to take the first step in protecting the ozone layer, guided by science and united in action. The Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol became a milestone in multilateral success. Today, the ozone layer is recovering, and this achievement reminds us that when countries listen to the warnings of science, progress is possible." Guterres urged governments to fully ratify and implement the Kigali Amendment to the Protocol, which commits to phasing out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), powerful greenhouse gases used primarily in cooling technologies, and urged them to embody this commitment in their new national climate plans, or what is known as "nationally determined contributions." He stressed the need for these measures to be consistent with limiting the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius, to include all sectors, and to prevent greenhouse gas emissions, including hydrofluorocarbons.