On Monday, May 19, 2025, as part of efforts to finalize the ratification process of the Kigali Amendment and ensure the implementation of the second phase of the Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) Management and Elimination Plan in Haiti, the National Ozone Office (NOO) of the Ministry of the Environment organized a workshop to revitalize the Government Ozone Committee (COGO).

The opening ceremony was chaired by Joseph Emmanuel Philippe, Director General of the Ministry of the Environment, and attended by ministry officials and representatives from several government institutions, including the Bureau of Mines and Energy (BME), the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Trade and Industry, National Education, Public Health, Economy and Finance, and Planning, as well as representatives from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

In his remarks, Joseph Emmanuel Philippe recalled that the COGO is a key structure in the monitoring and implementation of the Montreal Protocol in Haiti.

Ratified by Haiti, this protocol represents a strong environmental commitment, but also a promise to future generations. He also highlighted the significant progress made since the protocol's adoption in 1987, which has significantly reduced the use of ozone-depleting substances, such as CFCs and HCFCs, thus contributing to the gradual restoration of the protective shield against ultraviolet rays.

The COGO is an interministerial steering committee responsible for supporting the NOU in the implementation of international commitments and national policies regarding ozone-depleting substances. Its missions include:

• Supporting the ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol;

• Supporting the implementation of the second phase of the Phase-Out Management Plan (HPMP);

• To strengthen the legal and institutional framework related to the use of refrigerants, particularly through an improved system of import licenses and quotas.

The Committee comprises 10 members, chaired by the Director General of the Ministry of the Environment. The other members are drawn from key sectoral ministries with specific mandates related to regulation, training, planning, health, awareness-raising, and cooperation.

Following this workshop, representatives of the relevant institutions worked in groups to formulate operational guidelines designed to strengthen the coordination, transparency, and effectiveness of the implementation of the Montreal Protocol in Haiti.

This revitalization of the COGO represents an important step in the process of protecting the ozone layer, but also in preventing health and climate impacts related to regulated chemicals. It demonstrates the Government's commitment to strengthening its environmental governance while respecting its international commitments.

HL/ HaitiLibre