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Update:
On
the first day of MOP-11/COP-5, delegates met in Plenary to hear opening
addresses, adopt the agenda and consider presentations on: the supplementary
report on replenishment of the Multilateral Fund; the report on a fixed
currency rate mechanism for the Multilateral Fund; and the Technology
and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) report on HFCs and PFCs. Participants
then considered the EU proposals on adjustments and amendment to the Montreal
Protocol and the replenishment of the Multilateral Fund. The Budget Group
met in the afternoon.
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Delegates
rushing to their seats moments before the opening of MOP-11 |
| Representatives
of the children of China delivered a message calling on all people
to work hand-in-hand to protect the Earth. |
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Xie
Zhenhua, Minister of the State Environmental Protection Administration
of China, attributed progress in addressing ozone depletion to international
cooperation. |
| View
from the back of the plenary hall |
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Shafqat
Kakakhel, Deputy Executive Director of UNEP, highlighted draft decisions
before COP-5/MOP-11, including the EU proposed adjustments and amendment
to strengthen controls on HCFCs and to cap methyl bromide (MB) for
quarantine and pre-shipment (QPS) applications, ozone-depleting substances
(ODS) for basic domestic needs and new ODS. He also drew attention
to several draft decisions.
Part
one Part
Two |
| Co-Chair
Jukka Uosukainen (Finland) introduced the provisional agenda and proposed
additional items on: the supplementary report on replenishment of
the Multilateral Fund; the report on a fixed currency rate system
for the Multilateral Fund; and the TEAP Report on HFCs/PFCs. |
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CHINA introduced a draft Beijing Declaration and, with Brazil,
India and Antigua and Barbuda, requested that the Declaration be included
on the agenda. The agenda was adopted with this additions. |
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Lambert Kuijpers, Co-Chair of the TEAP, introduced the supplementary
report on the assessment of the funding required for the replenishment
of the Multilateral Fund for the period 2000 - 2002. . |
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Theodore Kapiga, Fund Management Officer, UN Office at Nairobi,
introduced key findings of the supplementary report on the use of
a fixed currency rate mechanism for the replenishment of the Multilateral
Fund, which applied a previous study on this issue to the actual replenishment
period 1994 - 96. He noted, inter alia, the finding of the supplementary
report that the net effects of a fixed currency rate mechanism on
the Fund could fluctuate negatively or positively, depending on prevailing
exchange rates. |
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Stephen Andersen, Chair of the TEAP HFC/PFC Task Force, presented
a report on the implications to the Montreal Protocol of the inclusion
of HFCs and PFCs in the Kyoto Protocol. Among the 32 findings of the
report, he highlighted, inter alia, that, while HFCs are critical
to the phase out of ODS, the implementation of the Montreal and Kyoto
Protocols need not interfere with each other. He said that consolidated
information and investment on ozone and climate was needed. |
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In the ensuing
discussion, SWITZERLAND
said the TEAP report went beyond its mandate by producing an analysis
rather than just information. He expressed concern over the analysis
of national HFC regulations, which he said were too general and did
not reflect the complexity of the issue. |
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GREENPEACE INTERNATIONAL called for agreement on a global cap
on HFC production, and for a legally-binding contract between governments
and industry stating that industry will pay the full cost of any damages
resulting from HFC use. He said chemical manufacturers are over represented
in the TEAP and that Parties should ensure balanced representation.
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The EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
on behalf of the EU, outlined
its package of proposals for adjustments and amendment to the Montreal
Protocol. Topics addressed in the proposals include HCFCs, methylbromide,
new ozone-depleting substances and CFC production for basic domestic
needs. |
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NIGERIA,
on behalf of the G-77/ CHINA, and supported by a number of other Article
5 Parties, called for replenishment funding of not less than US$500
million, and insisted that concessional lending not be considered.
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Right and below:
scenes from the reception hosted by the Chinese Government in honour
of the opening of MOP-11
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