Said El Harch, Vice-President of the Union of Associations of African Actors in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (U-3ARC), delivered the overall conclusions of the technical workshop marking the 10th anniversary of the Kigali Amendment in Kigali, Rwanda, on November 1, 2026. His remarks highlighted progress in HFC phase-down, the importance of energy efficiency and the need to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during the transition to alternative refrigerants.
El Harch also led Session 2, “Supporting SMEs during technology transitions,” while U-3ARC President Madi Sakandé participated in Session 3 on energy efficiency. Across six sessions, participants reviewed HFC phase-down progress in Article 5 and non-Article 5 parties, the adoption of low- and zero-GWP alternatives in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps, and the safety standards and training required to address flammability and toxicity risks.
Energy efficiency was another focus of the workshop. El Harch emphasized that reducing refrigerant GWP without improving equipment efficiency limits the potential climate benefits. Discussions addressed the integration of HFC phase-down measures with minimum energy performance standards and broader sustainable cooling strategies.
SMEs were identified as essential participants in lifecycle refrigerant management, including servicing, recovery, recycling, reclamation, tracking and end-of-life handling. El Harch outlined four priorities for supporting these businesses: affordable financing, practical training and certification, access to tools and recovery equipment, and clear, straightforward regulations.
The conclusions also emphasized the shared responsibilities of governments, industry, academia, the Multilateral Fund and implementing agencies. El Harch encouraged participants to carry the workshop’s findings and case studies into the 38th Meeting of the Parties (MOP38) in Kigali. Reflecting on the anniversary, he stated: “Ten years ago, in this very city, the world made a promise. Today we spent a day asking ourselves honestly: how are we keeping it?”
