From 25 to 27 November 2025, a regional workshop in Lomé, Togo, brought together National Ozone Officers and Customs officials from the eight member states of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) to strengthen efforts in implementing the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The amendment targets the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases.
The event was organized by UNEP OzonAction for Francophone Africa, with support from the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol. Representatives from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo participated in technical sessions, panel discussions, and experience-sharing activities.
Workshop discussions covered national obligations under the Kigali Amendment, strategies for reducing HFC consumption, and measures to combat illegal trade in ozone-depleting substances (ODS), HFCs, and related equipment. The agenda also emphasized customs cooperation and enforcement, referencing operations such as Demeter X and XI.
Participants exchanged insights from their Kigali Implementation Plans (KIPs) and addressed challenges related to cross-border trade. Key recommendations included enhancing joint training programs for ozone and customs officers, updating national legislation to ban certain substances and equipment, and increasing awareness of HFC alternatives among private sector stakeholders.
Further proposals called for integrating ozone-related content into customs training, establishing national ozone committees, and exploring digital platforms for managing import quotas.
By fostering regional collaboration and technical capacity, the workshop supported WAEMU countries' efforts to meet their Kigali Amendment commitments and contribute to global climate and environmental goals.
Source
