More than 400 students from 17 educational institutions, alongside public and private sector representatives, participated in the Sustainable Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Fair 2025, held on 15–16 October in Panama. The event aimed to strengthen technical capacities and encourage the adoption of clean, energy-efficient technologies in line with the country's commitments under the Montreal Protocol.
The fair was organised by the Ministry of Health through the National Ozone Unit (NOU), in collaboration with the Instituto Técnico Superior Especializado de Panamá (ITSE), and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The two-day event featured panel discussions, conferences, and technical demonstrations on topics such as energy efficiency, predictive maintenance, handling of A2L refrigerants, district cooling systems, sustainable construction, and alternative substances. Seventeen companies showcased advanced equipment and solutions, promoting exchange between academia and industry.
Cristina Vaca, Head of NOU Panama, highlighted the educational value of the fair: “This fair allowed us to build a bridge between education and science, bringing young people closer to the technologies that will shape the future of sustainable refrigeration and air conditioning.”
A key highlight was the Women in Refrigeration panel, where professionals shared experiences and addressed gender perspectives in a sector critical to climate action.
The interactive exhibition “What cools the air but warms the sky?”, designed by UNEP OzonAction and first presented in Chile in August 2024, was also featured. It offered a participatory experience on ozone layer protection, gender mainstreaming, and the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment frameworks.
Cristina Vaca expressed appreciation to OzonAction for their support: “The exhibition enabled participants — children, young people, and adults alike — to gain an engaging and reflective understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved in the transition to sustainable refrigeration.”
At the event’s close, the NOU launched a web-based application to register importers and exporters of controlled substances, aiming to strengthen national monitoring and support compliance with international obligations.
Anne-Maria Fenner, OzonAction Information Manager, thanked the Panamanian government for hosting the exhibition and emphasised its role as an effective educational tool. “Education is the most powerful tool we can use to protect our planet for future generations,” she said.
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