KIGALI, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The world should pass an ambitious amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances, which would represent the most significant global action to reduce climate change since the adoption of the Paris Agreement.
Rwanda made the call on the occasion of marking the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer Thursday.
More than 1,000 international leaders and ozone preservation and low carbon development experts are expected in Rwanda next month for the 28th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, known as MOP28.
The MOP28 will take place from Oct. 6-14 at the Kigali Convention Centre.
Participants will discuss an amendment to the Montreal Protocol which, if passed, will result in the early phase down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) -- strong greenhouse gases used mainly in refrigeration, solvents, propellants and aerosols with a high global warming potential.
A successful amendment to the protocol would signal the international community's commitment to practical action to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement -- limiting global warming to 2 degrees Celsius, and the more ambitious target of 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Vincent Biruta, Rwanda's Minister of Natural Resources said in a statement Thursday that his government looks forward to welcoming all Parties to the Montreal Protocol to Kigali in the spirit of international cooperation.
"We are pleased to see so many countries supporting an ambitious amendment, and are confident that it will be passed when we meet in Kigali in October. Rwanda stands ready to work with all Parties to find common ground and make the amendment a reality," Biruta said.
The Montreal Protocol is a global agreement that protects the ozone layer by phasing out the production of substances responsible for ozone depletion and climate change.
There has been a 98 percent reduction in ozone depleting chemicals globally thanks to the Montreal Protocol, and the ozone layer is now healing and expected to recover by 2050.
