Amman, Sept. 16 (Petra) – Jordan is continuing efforts to protect the ozone layer and expand the use of sustainable, energy-efficient cooling technologies as part of its climate and green economy policies, Minister of Environment Ayman Suleiman said Wednesday.
Suleiman made the remarks during a ceremony marking World Ozone Day, observed annually on September 16, under the theme "Global Action for a Cooler Planet." The event also marked the 10th anniversary of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and brought together ambassadors, representatives of United Nations agencies, the industrial sector, and national partners.
He said implementation of the Kigali Amendment and the transition to more sustainable cooling technologies support Jordan’s climate action, energy-efficiency, and sustainable development objectives.
Suleiman added that Jordan views its international commitments as an opportunity to modernize productive sectors, develop national expertise, encourage innovation and technology transfer, and reduce the use of substances with adverse environmental and climate impacts.
He stressed the importance of cooperation with the private sector, national institutions, and international partners to develop the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector, expand training and capacity-building, and increase the use of alternative refrigerants and modern technologies.
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Jordan Sheri Ritsema-Anderson said Jordan’s progress in protecting the ozone layer reflects cooperation among the government, UN agencies, the private sector, and development partners. She called for further efforts to expand access to affordable sustainable cooling solutions and accelerate climate action.
A panel discussion held during the event examined Jordan’s implementation of the Montreal Protocol, the future of sustainable cooling, energy efficiency, innovation, technology transfer, financing, and partnerships supporting the green transition.
Participants included Ministry of Environment Secretary-General Omar Arabiyat, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) representative Sulafa Madanat, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Deputy Resident Representative in Jordan Majida Assaf, UNDP representative Randa Aboul-Hosn, and representatives of the industrial sector and national institutions.
Arabiyat called for expanding cooperation among government institutions, the private sector, and international organizations to support sustainable cooling, innovation, technology transfer, and national capacity-building.
Madanat said UNIDO would continue supporting Jordan’s implementation of the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment through technology transfer, industrial modernization, technical capacity-building, and efforts to mobilize green financing.
Assaf said UNDP is working with the government and partners to move beyond pilot projects and develop financing mechanisms that enable businesses to adopt sustainable cooling solutions.
She cited projects at the Aqaba Marine Reserve and the new Amman Customs Center in Madouneh as practical examples of the use of natural refrigerants, adding that future efforts would focus on linking such technologies with financing, skills, and partnerships needed for wider adoption.
Participants said Jordan’s ozone-protection efforts have included the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances, modernization of technologies and production lines, capacity-building for workers in the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector, and strengthened monitoring and training systems.
The discussion also addressed the implementation of the Kigali Amendment and wider adoption of energy-efficient cooling alternatives with a lower climate impact, as well as links between ozone protection, climate action, energy efficiency, and industrial development.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Arabiyat, deputizing for the environment minister, honored institutions, companies, and national partners involved in implementing Montreal Protocol programs and projects in Jordan.
//Petra// AO
