World Refrigeration Day in Albania: From the Importance of Cooling in Modern Life tothe Technologies of the Future

Albania’s National Ozone Unit celebrated World Refrigeration Day through a series of activities that brought together around 40 refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) technicians, economic operators, importers, academics and institutional representatives. Organized in cooperation with Tirana College of Technology and with the support of UNIDO and UNEP, the activities were held within the framework of the global “Cool Intelligence” campaign.

This year’s theme highlights the integration of technology with professional knowledge and the skills of the people who design, install and maintain cooling systems, with the aim of accelerating the transition towards more sustainable cooling solutions.

Participants learned about the significance of World Refrigeration Day and the essential role the refrigeration sector plays in modern life. The presentations highlighted the contribution of cooling to food security, the preservation of medicines and vaccines, the operation of data centres, industrial processes and a wide range of services on which everyday life depends. It was also emphasized that the Day seeks to raise awareness of the importance of the refrigeration sector and the professionals who keep it running.

Participants were also introduced to the latest low-GWP refrigerant alternatives and their role in implementing the Kigali Amendment. They learned about the direction in which the global refrigeration industry is evolving, the technologies that are gradually replacing high-global-warming-potential refrigerants, and the new requirements these developments bring for technicians, economic operators and importers.

The programme also included a certificate award ceremony for 24 refrigeration and air conditioning technicians trained and certified by Centro Studi Galileo (Italy). Certification according to European standards confirms that technicians possess the professional competencies required for the installation, maintenance, refrigerant recovery and leak detection of RAC systems using fluorinated refrigerants.

The certificates are officially recognized throughout the European Union and represent an important recognition of professional skills in the sector. To date, 58 Albanian technicians have obtained this certification. Their names are entered into the European Technicians Registry, enabling verification of their professional qualification and facilitating access to employment opportunities in the European RAC sector.

The activities concluded with a reception organized by the National Ozone Unit, where participants continued discussions on the latest developments in the sector and the challenges associated with the transition towards more advanced and climate-friendly cooling technologies.