The Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines, through the National Ozone Unit within the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning, Sustainable Development and Information Technology, will host the Regional Network Meeting of Ozone Officers for the English speaking Caribbean and Haiti, from May 28 – June 1, at the Beachcombers Hotel.

During this week, the government will also host the first regional training workshop for Customs and Excise Officers in E-licensing for the implementation of the phase-out management plans under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

The meetings will be convened with support of the Compliance Assistance Program of the UN Environment.The objectives of the meeting are:

•  To assist countries in strength ening and enhancing their capacities to achieve and sustain their Hydrochloroflu orocarbon (HCFC) phase out management plan.
• To providing guidelines for theearly ratification of the Kigali Amendment and subsequent Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phase down management plans.

Through the sharing of experiences, participating National Ozone Officers will become more knowledgeable of the benefits of adapting to low global warming potential; climate friendly, energy efficient technologies; and strengthening of capacity amongst customs officers to combat illegal trade of ozone depleting substances.

In addition to National Ozone Officers, representatives of key regional and international partners, United Nations agencies, the Multilateral Fund and Ozone Secretariat will be in attendance.

The week’s activities are as follows:Monday, May 28 – Tuesday, May 29 – Training Workshop for new Ozone OfficersWednesday, May 30 – Official Opening of the Sub- Regional Network MeetingThursday, May 31 – Friday, June 1 – Customs and Ozone Officers and E-License Training Workshop