Turkmen ecologists and representatives of profile departments discuss the fulfilment of Montreal Protocol by the country

Ashgabat hosted the working meeting timed to International Day of Protection of Ozone Layer and 30-year anniversary of Montreal Protocol for Ozone Depleting Substances. The event was organized by the State Committee for Natural Protection and Land Resources. Representatives ministries of justice, health protection and medical industry, education, industry, Turkmenstandartlary Service, State Concern Turkmengaz as well as non-governmental organizations and private sector took part in the event. The objective of ecological action is to share the experience, improve awareness in protection of ozone layer of the planet. 

It was mentioned during the meeting that in 1993, Turkmenistan ratified Montreal Protocol and adopted all its amendments and follows all requirements and provisions. The issue of ozone layer protection has entered the number of priority directions of the state policy. Starting from 2012, our country has been implementing the State Programme for gradual removal of hydrochlorofluorocarbons, which is aimed at conduct of the activities allowing the use of only recycled and restored substances after 2020 and in the future, by January 1, 2040, to take them out of the circulation completely. Recently, the consumption of ozone depleting substances in our country has been considerable reduced. They are still used as cooling agents in industrial refrigeration equipment, air conditioning systems but in controlled volumes and are regulated by international treaties. 

During the meeting, the sides discussed further improvement of the mechanism of implementation of the requirements of Montreal Protocol and legislation in ozone layer protection sphere. It is worth reminding that in 2009, the Law of Turkmenistan on Protection of Ozone Layer has been adopted. Later in 2015, the Law was amended for correspondence of legal standards with the provisions of international treaties and fulfilment of the country’s obligations. 

Ozone layer protects our planet from dangerous ultraviolet radiation. The results of scientific researches detected active ozone depleting substances and the substances that are acceptable for further use in national economy. It became the basis for the adoption of Montreal Protocol on the substance depleting ozone layer by developed and developing countries on September 16, 1987, which later became one of the most important international document in solution of global issue of protection of ozone layer. This document listed the main ozone depleting substances, chemical hydrocarbon compounds containing chlorine, fluorine, bromine, carbon and hydrogen. Control measures for their circulation as well as the schedule for phased reduction and further elimination of their use have been made.