16/09/2026
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ - ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐
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๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐:
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), through its Meteorological Division, commemorated World Ozone Day 2026 at the Meteorological Office, Mulinuสปu, under the theme โGlobal Action for a Cooler Planetโ.
The annual commemoration provided an opportunity to recognize Samoaโs continued commitment to protecting the ozone layer and to highlight the importance of sustainable cooling practices. This yearโs commemoration was particularly significant as it marked 10 years since the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which strengthened global efforts to reduce hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and promote more energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling solutions. The year 2026 also marks 39 years since the adoption of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, highlighting nearly four decades of international cooperation to protect the ozone layer.
For Samoa, these international commitments are supported by a national legal and institutional framework. The National Ozone Unit under the MNRE plays an important role in coordinating and implementing Samoaโs obligations under the Montreal Protocol, guided by the Ozone Layer Protection Regulations 2006 (OLPR 2006) and the Meteorology, Geoscience and Ozone Act 2021 (MGOA Act 2021). Together, these national instruments provide an important foundation for regulating and managing controlled substances, supporting compliance, and strengthening national implementation of Samoaโs ozone protection commitments.
The Acting Assistant Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) for the Meteorology Services Division, Namulauulu Taua Aroni, delivered the keynote address and, emphazised on the importance of sustained national action and collaboration in advancing environmental protection. โThe protection of the ozone layer is a clear example of what can be achieved through sustained international cooperation and collective national action.
As we mark ten years of the Kigali Amendment, Samoa must continue to strengthen our technical capacity, support responsible practices within the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector, and ensure that our communities and young people understand their important role in protecting our environment. Global commitments become meaningful when they are translated into practical action at the national and community levels.โ
Samoaโs national ozone legislation, including the OLPR 2006 and MGOA Act 2021, supports the NOU in implementing and enforcing Samoaโs Montreal Protocol obligations through the regulation and management of controlled substances and stakeholder engagement.
A key feature of the programme was a presentation on โ10 Years of the Kigali Amendment, Celebrating a Decade of Global Action for Sustainable Cooling.โ The presentation reflected on progress made over the past decade and reinforced the continued importance of transitioning towards cooling solutions that are both environmentally responsible and energy efficient.
The commemoration also recognised participants of the Good Servicing Practices Training for Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning (RAC) Technicians, with certificates of participation presented to acknowledge their contribution to strengthening technical capacity within the sector.
Building on the technical focus of the training, RAC sector technicians conducted a live demonstration on refrigerant recovery and good servicing practices. The practical demonstration highlighted the importance of proper refrigerant management, safe handling and responsible servicing practices in supporting Samoa's efforts towards more sustainable cooling.
World Ozone Day continues to serve as an important platform for strengthening public awareness of ozone protection and promoting collective action towards environmental sustainability. For Samoa, the 2026 commemoration provided an opportunity to reflect on 39 years of global action under the Montreal Protocol and adecade of progress under the Kigali Amendment, while highlighting the importance of strengthening national technical capacity, promoting responsible practices within the refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) sector, andcontinuing to strengthen the implementation of Samoaโs national ozone protection framework through the OLPR 2006 and MGOA Act 2021.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment acknowledges the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for its continued support towards ozone protection initiatives, as well as the RAC technicians, participating schools, students, government representatives and all stakeholders who contributed to the successful commemoration of World Ozone Day 2026.
The Ministry further recognises the valuable contribution of all participants whose engagement helped reinforce the shared responsibility for protecting the ozone layer and promoting sustainable environmental practices.
END.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Samoa