Europe and Central Asia Network and Enforcement Meeting for Montreal Protocol Officers and Customs Focal Points Tirana

The Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Network and Enforcement Meeting for Montreal Protocol Officers and Customs Focal Points was successfully held from 23 to 25 April 2024 in Tirana, Albania. The event brought together National Ozone Officers and customs representatives from ECA network countries to strengthen cooperation, share best practices, and reinforce enforcement of the Montreal Protocol provisions.

Objectives

The main objectives of the meeting were to:

• Facilitate dialogue and knowledge exchange between Montreal Protocol Officers and Customs Focal Points;
• Review recent developments related to the implementation of the Montreal Protocol, including obligations under the Kigali Amendment;
• Share best practices and challenges in enforcing controls on ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs);
• Discuss illegal trade trends and regional enforcement initiatives;
• Strengthen inter-agency cooperation at the national and regional levels.

Participants

The meeting was attended by representatives from over 20 countries in the ECA region, including National Ozone Officers and customs enforcement officials. Representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the World Customs Organization (WCO), and other partner organizations also participated. The host country, Albania, was represented by officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, as well as national customs authorities.

The meeting was officially opened by high-level representatives from the Albanian government, UNEP, and UNIDO. In their welcoming remarks, speakers emphasized the importance of continued regional cooperation and capacity-building to combat the illegal trade of controlled substances and support countries’ compliance efforts.

Key Sessions and Discussions

Over the course of three days, participants engaged in technical sessions, case study presentations, and group discussions. Key highlights included:

• Update on Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment Implementation: UNEP and implementing agencies provided updates on key decisions from recent Meetings of the Parties (MOPs), with a focus on Kigali Amendment implementation deadlines and national obligations.
• National Experience Sharing: Countries presented their experiences in monitoring, licensing, and controlling trade in ODS and HFCs, as well as lessons learned in tackling illegal trade.
• Customs Training and Tools: Presentations were made on the use of the UN Environment OzonAction tools, the WCO’s ENVIRONET platform, and the EU customs code systems to detect and prevent illegal shipments.
• Border Cooperation and Joint Inspections: Case studies from the region showcased successful examples of cross-border collaboration and joint inspection efforts between neighboring customs authorities.
• Practical Exercise and Group Work: Interactive sessions allowed participants to engage in scenario-based exercises to apply enforcement strategies and analyze documentation for suspicious shipments.

Outcomes and Recommendations

Participants reaffirmed the importance of strong customs-ozone officer cooperation and recommended:

• Enhancing data sharing and communication between environmental and customs authorities;
• Strengthening the use of electronic licensing systems and risk profiling;
• Continuing regional cooperation on intelligence exchange and joint actions;
• Organizing targeted training workshops for new customs officers;
• Exploring opportunities to improve traceability of refrigerants in the supply chain.

The meeting concluded with positive feedback from participants, who expressed appreciation for the opportunity to exchange experiences and reinforce enforcement capacities. Special thanks were extended to the Government of Albania for hosting the event and for their active involvement in Montreal Protocol implementation.