HON. DR REDDY'S REMARKS AT STAKEHOLDER MEETING ON FIJI’S ROADMAP TO HYDROCHLOROFLOROCARBON (HCFC) PHASE-OUT AND TRANSITION TO LOW GWP (GLOBAL WARMING POTENTIAL) ALTERNATIVES

Distinguished Guests, 
Our Private Sector Partners, 
The Enforcement Agencies, 
Ministry Staff 
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Bula Vinaka and very good morning to you all. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I’m honored to be amidst all of you this morning to mark the first stakeholder meeting for our Refrigeration and Air- conditioning sector for 2019. It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this meeting. This meeting reflects on our commitment as a nation to deal with the threat of ozone depletion and as such further reminds us of the vital role our environment plays in determining our quality of life. Most importantly your presence here today illustrates our combined efforts to achieve commitments under the Montreal Protocol. 

Ozone constitutes a very small yet vital part of our atmosphere. The concerns around ozone depletion and its consequent impacts such as global warming and climate change have always been at the forefront of the international environmental agenda for several years. The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, requires the complete phasing out of the Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) in accordance with agreed schedules to which are signatory since 1987 . We have come a long way since we have ratified this protocol, and I take this opportunity to thank you all for playing an integral role in achieving our national targets under the Montreal Protocol. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,
In our endeavors to meet the obligations under the Montreal Protocol, Fiji has developed regulations, namely Ozone Depleting Substances Act 1998 and ODS Regulations 2010, to assist us phase-out and manage ozone-depleting substances. Furthermore, appropriate measures are put in place to monitor and control any importation of ODSs in the country. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, We have phased out CFCs, carbon tetrachloride, pure halons and put a restriction on non- quarantine use of Methyl bromide and HCFCs. Fiji, over the years, has worked together with UN Environment, the Multilateral Fund and UNDP in the implementation of the Montreal Protocol at the national level. Phasing out ODS as scheduled under the Montreal Protocol has been a national priority and will continue to be a priority for Ministry of Waterways and Environment. 

Fiji continues to be committed in the phasing out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons or HCFCs by 2030. Our meeting today is also yet another reaffirmation on our collaboration and to better inform ourselves on the current work done in the management of refrigerants, and be updated on plans and policies in place for a smoother transition to alternatives low GWP when HCFC is phased out.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Not all is over yet. More needs to be done and events like this mark the continuous effort we are putting in place to safeguard the ozone layer and environment as a whole. Over the last decade, we have seen an effective introduction of environmentally friendly alternatives, i.e. non- ozone depleting substances that can be used as refrigerants etc. Ministry of Waterways and Environment appreciates and applauds you all for your readiness to make transistion to Low GWP (Global Warming Potential) alternatives as per the targets under Montreal Protocol. 

While such undertaking is often impeded by technological challenges, your support in working together with the Ministry in its work manage ozone-depleting substances (ODS) has ensured that the transition to ozone-friendly and low-GWP technologies are achieved.
Ladies and Gentlemen,

To successfully execute the monitoring and the phasing out stages of HCFC in various sectors, I urge and encourage the stakeholders from the Refrigeration and Airconditioning industry, the Fishing Industry, our Enforcement, and Monitoring Agencies and our key inline Ministries to work together and ensure that our commitments in the phasing out of HCFC is achieved. 

To further support HCFC phase out, Ministry of Waterways and Environment will be handing over equipment to the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Association today. This equipment will be used as service tools in the RAC sector. The main objective of this initiative is to provide technical support through the provision of “right” equipment to service technicians for the implementation of recovery and reclamation program. It also furthers the Ministry’s commitment to introduce and demonstrate procedures that eliminate refrigerant emissions during preventive and unscheduled maintenance and at the same time promote the proper recovery and storage of ODS gases. 
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Ministry of Waterways and Environment is currently working towards the ratification of the Kigali Amendment and I, therefore, call upon everyone’s support, in strengthening climate protection by harnessing the power of the Montreal Protocol to make progress in minimizing the Global Warming caused by hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), the fastest growing of the greenhouse gases. In supporting the Kigali Amendment, the Ministry reaffirms its commitments under the Protocol. These actions also furthers the commitment under the Paris Agreement of 2015 and the Sustainable Development Goals in its efforts to address climate change.

Therefore we, all the stakeholders need to collaborate in our path to phase out Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) and Transition to Low GWP (Global Warming Potential) Alternatives. My challenge to you ladies and gentlemen today is to maintain a close working relationship for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol and to synergize climate action efforts during technology transfer. By working together, we can build a safer, healthier, more prosperous and resilient world for all while at the same time protecting our planet… our only home. 

Thank you.