The Regional Ozone Network for Europe and Central Asia (ECA network) will hold its annual meeting in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on 26-27 May 2016.

The meeting aims to share best practices and provide expert support to countries, helping them meeting their commitments under the Montreal Protocol. It will be attended by ozone officers from 11 ECA network countries and seven associate countries with economies in transition, as well as experts from bilateral partner organisations.

The event will be preceded by a customs cooperation meeting on 24-25 May, during which the winners of the ECA Ozone Protection Award for Customs & Enforcement Officers will receive their medals and certificates in recognition of their work. The award will be provided to the customs and enforcement officers from Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Croatia, the European Union, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

Between May 2014 and April 2016, the award winners reported 32 successful seizures of 10,156 refrigerant cylinders containing more than 68 metric tons of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and mixtures. In addition, the informal Prior Informed Consent consultations prior to the issuance of trade licenses prevented 16 unwanted/illegal shipments of more than 174 metric tons of ODS and ODS mixtures.

For more information write to halvart.koppen@unep.org