September 16, 2021. Tashkent. The celebration of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer was held at Lotte Hotel in Tashkent. The event was organized by the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Ecology and Environmental Protection, the UNDP, the GEF and the Ministry for support of mahalla and family. The event was also attended by the winners of the contest among women-entrepreneurs in the field of Refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC), technical specialists and representatives of the media.

The theme for 2021 - Montreal Protocol: Keeping us, our food and vaccine cool, which encourages us to continue our joint efforts under the Montreal Protocol to achieve the healing of the ozone layer. This year, the Day intends to remind that the protocol has a much wider scope and is expected to improve the energy efficiency of equipment used for refrigeration and air conditioning, which plays a vital role in medicine and food safety. In addition, the improvement of cooling systems and the use of natural refrigerants (freons) will ensure the wider use of green technologies, that has zero harm to the ozone layer, preventing climate change and improving the environmental situation in general.

HCFCs are widely used in refrigeration and air conditioning applications worldwide in domestic and commercial refrigeration, cold storage, food processing, transport and industrial refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps, chillers, and mobile air conditioning. Globally, this sector has been dominated by specialists and technicians who are predominantly male, while this fast-growing sector can equally offer a wide range of successful careers for women as well.

In this regard, the joint project of State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Ecology and Environmental Protection, UNDP and GEF “Complete HCFC Phase-out in Uzbekistan through Promotion of Zero ODS Low GWP Energy Efficient Technologies”, in cooperation with the Ministry for support of mahalla and family, held a contest "The Best Startup project" among women and girls in four regions of Uzbekistan. To ensure a quality approach to the topic, the project organized trainings on basic knowledge in the field of RAC and on the basics of business plan development for future women-entrepreneurs interested in RAC sector. During the event, the winners were awarded certificates for equipment and tools for the provision of services in the RAC sector, as well as other valuable prizes. 

Moreover, a master class was conducted by Khuriyatkhon Tojiboeva, one of the few women technicians working in RAC sector in Uzbekistan. Participants observed her work with a deep interest in the process of diagnosing refrigeration equipment and asked questions about the connection between household appliances (refrigerators/air conditioners) and ozone layer depletion. Also, Khuryatkhon Tojiboeva shared her story of choosing a professional career and the experience of how she became professional in this field.

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The ozone layer, as a protective umbrella for the planet, acts as a shield for life on Earth and keeps the ultraviolet radiation of the sun from affecting the surface of the Earth, thereby preserving life on the planet. Most of the ozone layer is found in the stratosphere at an altitude of 10 to 50 km above the Earth's surface.

On September 16, 1987, the UN General Assembly signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. This date, in 1994, was declared by the General Assembly as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. Since 1995, this ecological holiday has been celebrated by the entire world community. Traditionally, this day is dedicated to raising awareness of specific actions - both at the country level and at the level of every citizen of the Earth - that are aimed at protecting and preserving the ozone layer.

Uzbekistan joined the Montreal Protocol in 1993 and ratified all four amendments to it. Since then, our country has been fulfilling all its obligations. As a result of the effective implementation of the Montreal Protocol obligations, 99.95% of ozone-depleting substances have been phased out in Uzbekistan.