Rwanda will host the 38th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP38) from 2–6 November 2026 in Kigali, bringing together governments, international organizations, industry and other partners to advance global action to protect the ozone layer and address climate change.
The meeting will take place in a significant year for Rwanda and the Montreal Protocol community, marking 10 years since the adoption of the Kigali Amendment in October 2016.
The Kigali Amendment commits countries to gradually phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), powerful greenhouse gases widely used in refrigeration and air conditioning. Full implementation of the Amendment could avoid up to 0.5°C of global warming by the end of the century, with even greater benefits possible when the transition to climate-friendly refrigerants is combined with improvements in energy efficiency.
MOP38 will therefore provide an important opportunity to review progress, strengthen implementation and encourage universal ratification of the Kigali Amendment.
Minister of Environment Dr Bernadette Arakwiye said:
“Rwanda is proud to welcome the world back to Kigali, ten years after countries came together here to adopt the Kigali Amendment. MOP38 is an opportunity to recognize the progress made, while also looking at what more is needed to fully implement the commitments we made.”
“That means continuing the transition away from high-global-warming HFCs, improving the energy efficiency of cooling equipment, expanding access to sustainable cooling and encouraging all countries to join the Kigali Amendment. These actions can deliver important benefits for the climate, but also for food security, healthcare and economic development.”
The Montreal Protocol is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful environmental agreements. It has enabled the global phase-out of the vast majority of ozone-depleting substances and put the ozone layer on a path to recovery.
Through the Kigali Amendment, the Protocol has also become an important part of global climate action. As demand for cooling continues to grow, combining low-global-warming refrigerants with more energy-efficient equipment can significantly reduce emissions while lowering energy demand and operating costs.
Megumi Seki, Executive Secretary of the Ozone Secretariat, said:
“The Montreal Protocol has demonstrated what sustained international cooperation can achieve. Ten years after the adoption of the Kigali Amendment, returning to Kigali gives Parties an opportunity to take stock of progress and strengthen implementation for the next decade.”
“Continuing the HFC phasedown, improving energy efficiency and moving towards universal ratification of the Kigali Amendment will be important to realizing its full climate benefits. We look forward to working with Rwanda and all Parties during MOP38.”
Meeting Highlights
Alongside the formal negotiations, Rwanda will host a program of activities focused on implementation, innovation and sustainable cooling. Highlights will include:
- A Technical Workshop at the African Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES), covering technologies, skills development and sustainable cooling and cold-chain systems in support of the Kigali Amendment.
- Kigali Amendment at 10 activities, marking a decade since the Amendment was adopted and looking ahead to the next phase of implementation.
- An Innovation Exhibition at the Kigali Convention Centre, showcasing climate-friendly cooling and cold-chain technologies and bringing together manufacturers, industry leaders, financiers and development partners.
- A Partnership Forum focused on advancing the future of the Montreal Protocol.
These activities will provide an opportunity to connect policy discussions under the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment with the technologies, investment and partnerships needed to deliver implementation on the ground. The 38th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol is expected to attract up to 1,000 participants.
