NAIROBI, Kenya, 13 July 2020: Parties and other stakeholders to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone will convene for online technical sessions from July 14 to 16 to discuss one key item on the agenda of the 42^nd Open-ended Working Group (OEWG42) meeting, the Multilateral Fund said through a Press release. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 travel and meeting restrictions, the parties will convene virtually for the first time in history, the Fund added.

According to the release, the parties will discuss the replenishment of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol for 2021–2023, focusing on the report of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel. The parties have been providing comments on the report through an online forum established for reviewing documents.

According to the release, the Multilateral Fund provides support to developing economies to enable them to meet their obligations under the Protocol to phase out ozone-depleting substances. The Fund is financed by contributions from developed countries and is replenished every three years. The parties will review and discuss a report developed by the Technology and Scientific Assessment Panel (TEAP) that estimates the level of funding required by the Article 5 parties (developing countries) for 2021-2023, and also provide indicative amounts for the two further triennia.

According to the release, another issue selected out of the agenda for the OEWG42 to make progress before the 32^nd Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, is the review of critical-use nominations for methyl bromide. Through the online forum, parties have been able to review and submit comments on the report of the TEAP on their evaluation and recommendations on the nominations submitted by a small number of countries that still use methyl bromide for critical uses. Bilateral meetings are expected to take place between the nominating countries and the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee, and a final report will be prepared for further consideration by the parties.

Previous to the OEWG42, the 64^th meeting of the Implementation Committee took place online from July 7 to 9. The Committee discussed and made recommendations on issues related to non-compliance under the Montreal Protocol.