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Statement by Ad Melkert, UN Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator, United Nations Development Programme At 19th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on the 20th Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol.

Monday 17 September 2007


Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honour to address the 19th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol as the global community celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Protocol, a groundbreaking international agreement that ushered in a new era of environmental responsibility. By any measure, the Protocol has been a resounding success. Its 191 signatories have together phased out more than 95% of ozone-depleting substances, and we expect the Earth’s protective ozone layer to return to its pre-1980 levels in the second half of this century which still shows how frighteningly long it takes before the impact of decisive action shows. 

I take pride in having played a very small part in that success: As a member of the Dutch Parliament, I helped ratify the Protocol. Many of us, back in 1987, asked would it be possible to persuade people to forsake useful household and personal goods—to change their everyday habits--in the interest of preserving an invisible chemical layer miles above the highest clouds in the sky? Could governments, communities and industries adapt in the name of the environment? Given the celebratory nature of the gathering here today, it is obvious that the answer was a resounding ‘yes’.

UNDP is proud to be associated with this success. Our organisation is committed to advancing the goals of the major environmental conventions, including the Montreal Protocol, and supporting countries to reconcile global challenges with national priorities, translating multilateral agreements into action and ultimately, meaningful change in the lives of people.  This is in particular challenging for developing countries that are still faced with enormous and justified demands to provide access to work, income, water and energy to the one third of the world population for whom daily existence needs are of more direct concern than the long term condition of the planet.  Yet the two are inseparable. This is recognized in UNDP’s focus in the support to capacity development, specifically to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. 

One of the most notable aspects of Montreal’s success is its engagement of both the developed and developing worlds in reducing ozone-depleting substances.  UNDP, with the financial help of the Multilateral Fund, has put into operation a global programme in over 100 countries that has contributed to the phase-out of over 63,000 tonnes of ozone-depleting substances. In assisting countries to address their obligations under the Montreal Protocol, UNDP has adopted an inclusive approach, working both with large, as well as small-scale, consumers of ozone-depleting substances. With respect to the latter, UNDP is especially proud of the results that the services it has provided have yielded with respect to encouraging sustainable human development. We have reached out to small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), small-scale technicians and agricultural producers, working with them to design programmes that could best tackle their specific concerns and circumstances. UNDP has spear-headed projects that promote better economies of scale, greater cost-effectiveness, incentive-based initiatives, and socio-economic progress. Building synergies in support of sustainable development has been key to the effort.

From a forward-looking perspective, given the issues before this body, it is clear that the Protocol is poised to address changing needs while also seeking to ensure sustainability of past efforts.

There are key challenges being faced by the Parties as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Protocol which signal an opportunity to strengthen environmental protection for sustainable development and enhance partnership potential. In this context, it is critical that Parties address measures to accelerate the recovery of the ozone layer, recognizing that accelerated commitment to non-ODP energy efficient alternatives can serve to diminish our environmental footprint. The UN system stands ready to provide services and support to make this happen.

Twenty years after the signing of the Protocol, at the mid-point of the drive to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, the outcomes of Montreal demonstrate how multilateral cooperation can improve the environment and the lives of people who depend on it. As the international community gears up to determine our post-Kyoto course we need the same cooperative spirit, ambitious intent, and inclusive approach of the Montreal Protocol. Most of all the international community needs to recognize that the poor are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and that we do not need to compromise economic growth or development goals to reduce emissions. With this recognition, and a commitment to change, we might be able to repeat the success of Montreal.

UNDP looks forward to responding to the changing needs of this successful Protocol and continuing to serve the interests of its Parties.