Kigali:Kenya has chaired a significant international meeting focused on addressing compliance challenges under the Montreal Protocol, as countries gear up to review progress in protecting the ozone layer.
According to Kenya News Agency, the 77th Meeting of the Implementation Committee (ImpCom) took place on October 30, 2026, in Kigali, Rwanda. The meeting was chaired by Linda Kosgei, Director of Multilateral Environmental Agreements at the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, in her capacity as President of the Committee.
The meeting convened Committee members to evaluate outstanding compliance issues, review challenges countries face in implementing the protocol, and recommend measures to strengthen its enforcement. The discussions precede the 38th Meeting of the Parties (MOP38) to the Montreal Protocol, scheduled for November 2-6, 2026, also in Kigali, where the Committee’s recommendations and proposed decisions will be considered for adoption.
The Implementation Committee holds a crucial role in ensuring countries fulfill their obligations under the Montreal Protocol’s Non-Compliance Procedure, which offers a framework for addressing actual or potential violations through dialogue, cooperation, and mutual support. Its mandate includes reviewing submissions from countries, identifying compliance difficulties, and recommending interventions such as technical and financial assistance when necessary.
The Committee’s approach takes into account the varying capacities and circumstances of member countries, especially developing nations, while promoting accountability and enhancing international cooperation to protect the ozone layer. During the meeting, Kosgei reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to executing its mandate impartially and constructively, guided by international cooperation and mutual trust. She also highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between member countries and the Ozone Secretariat to ensure the effective implementation of the Protocol.
The Montreal Protocol is lauded as one of the most successful international environmental agreements, having established a global framework for controlling substances that deplete the ozone layer. Kenya’s leadership of the Implementation Committee underscores its role in international environmental governance and commitment to sustaining global efforts for ozone layer protection. Kosgei praised Committee members for their constructive engagement and contributions, urging continued dedication to the shared responsibility of safeguarding the ozone layer for current and future generations.
