World Refrigeration Day 2025 Event Brings Global Experts Together in Paris to Advance Sustainable Cooling Solutions

On June 18, 2025, the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) hosted the World Refrigeration Day event at Salons Hoche in Paris, bringing together nearly 170 high-level participants from governments, industry, academia, and international organizations across more than 60 countries. The event celebrated the pivotal role of refrigeration and heat pump technologies in enhancing human well-being, animal welfare, and climate sustainability.

This year’s event marked a significant milestone—exactly one year after the launch of the IIR’s 2024–2028 strategy—and reinforced the organisation’s mission to foster global collaboration and knowledge exchange in the refrigeration sector.

Expert Panels and Global Perspectives

The program featured four thematic sessions with contributions from government officials, scientists, industry leaders, and international organisations:

Session 1: High-Level Country Perspectives
Government representatives discussed national priorities for refrigeration technologies:

• Mr. Ayman Eltalouny, Multilateral Fund for the Montreal Protocol

• Prof. Rokhmin Dahuri, Former Minister, Indonesia

• Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, Energy Commission, Nigeria

• Prof. Kouamé Georges Kouadio, Ministry of Environment, Côte d’Ivoire

• Ms. Mame Coumba Ndiaye, Energy Management Agency, Senegal

• Mr. Arno Kaschl, European Commission, DG Climate Action

• Mr. Priya Ranjan, Ministry of Agriculture, India
  Moderated by Mariana Castaño Cano

Session 2: Science Perspective
Members of the IIR Scientific and Technical Council discussed the science behind refrigeration:

• Dr. Aleš Srnka, Czech Academy of Sciences

• Dr. Andy Pearson, Star Refrigeration, UK

• Prof. Judith Evans, London South Bank University

• Dr. Richard Lawton, University of Salford

• Prof. Xianting Li, Tsinghua University, China

• Ms. Amal Kasry, UNESCO

• Mr. Gérald Cavalier, President, IIR STC
  Moderated by Souhir Al-Hammami, IIR

Session 3: Industry Innovation
Leaders from the private sector shared trends and solutions in sustainable cooling:

• Mr. Lionel Pourcheresse, Carrier Transicold

• Mr. Damien Destremau, CEO, Chereau

• Mr. Martin Dieryckx, Daikin Europe

• Ms. Andrea Voigt, Danfoss Climate Solutions

• Mr. Dave Malinauskas, CIMCO Refrigeration

• Mr. Alois Mhlanga, UNIDO

• Mr. Gilles Labranque, Sofrigam
  Moderated by Mariana Castaño Cano

Session 4: International Cooperation
Global organisations explored collective efforts for inclusive refrigeration:

• Dr. Emmanuelle Soubeyran, World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)

• Ms. Ruth Zugman Do Coutto, UNEP

• Ms. Krystyna Dawson, BSRIA

• Ms. Ellen Michel, GIZ Proklima

• Mr. Alessandro Flammini, FAO

• Ms. Martina Otto, Climate and Clean Air Coalition

• Ms. Oxana Megglé, IFC

• Ms. Franziska Menten, UNIDO

• Prof. Min-Soo Kim, President, IIR General Conference
  Moderated by Marco Duran, IIR

Honouring Refrigeration's Legacy and Future

A special exhibition showcased rare historical documents and milestones from the IIR’s long-standing history since its founding in 1908, tracing the evolution of refrigeration technologies and their societal impact.

Yosr Allouche, Director General of the IIR, welcomed attendees and highlighted the significance of the event:

“Your presence reflects your commitment to a sector pivotal for human well-being — from health utilities and food safety to energy security — while advancing animal welfare and climate sustainability.”