The first Extraordinary Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (ExMOP) opens today in Montreal, Canada. Delegates will consider items that were not resolved at the Fifteenth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (MOP-15), which took place from 10-14 November 2003 in Nairobi, Kenya. These items relate to methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting substance (ODS) used as a pesticide. Issues include: further specific interim reductions; nomination for critical-use exemptions (CUEs); conditions for granting CUEs; and consideration of the work procedures of the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee (MBTOC) relating to the evaluation of critical-use nominations (CUNs). 

Above photo L-R: Marco González, Executive Secretary of the Ozone Secretariat being interviewed by ENB.