Today marks the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Vienna Convention and World Ozone Day, highlighting the importance of scientific research and international cooperation in protecting the ozone layer.

The Montreal Protocol, adopted to phase out ozone-depleting substances like CFCs and HCFCs, has been instrumental in the ozone layer's recovery, with a 99% reduction in harmful chemicals and projections of full recovery by the middle of this century.

Since its inception, the Montreal Protocol has expanded to include the Kigali Amendment, ratified by Mongolia in 2022, which aims to reduce HFCs—potent greenhouse gases—helping to combat climate change and potentially limiting global temperature rise.

Mongolia is strengthening its regulatory framework through licensing, registration, and monitoring, in collaboration with international organizations, to support the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances.

Mongolia's ratification of the Kigali Amendment underscores its commitment to climate action and ozone protection, aligning with global efforts to address environmental challenges.

Despite significant progress, ongoing efforts remain crucial as the ozone layer continues to recover, with protocols now also targeting greenhouse gases like HFCs to mitigate climate change.

Public awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagement, including youth, government, private sector, and civil society, are vital components of Mongolia's strategy to promote sustainable environmental practices.

Mongolia conducts annual training for customs officers, refrigeration engineers, and technicians to ensure effective implementation of international ozone protection agreements.

The success of the Montreal Protocol, with accelerated timelines for phasing out substances like HCFCs, demonstrates the power of global collaboration in environmental conservation.

This year's World Ozone Day theme, 'From Science to Global Action,' emphasizes translating scientific research into effective policies and collective international efforts to protect the ozone layer.

The ozone layer, located in the stratosphere, acts as Earth's shield against harmful UV radiation, which can cause health issues like skin cancer and damage ecosystems.

Human activities, especially the release of chemicals such as CFCs used in refrigeration and aerosols, caused significant ozone depletion, leading to the discovery of the ozone hole over Antarctica in the 1980s.