On the 21st to the 27th May 2026, the Training of New National Ozone Officers and National Ozone Unit Staff, Network Meeting of the Pacific Island Countries National Ozone Officers, and Thematic Workshop on Strategy, Policy Recommendations and Action Plan for the Life-cycle Management of Controlled Substances took place in Majuro, Marshall Islands. This significant meeting was represented by the National Environment Service delegate – Ngatupuna Kae, highlighting this meeting as “fruitful and productive”. The meeting introduced the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment, including country obligations and the role of National Ozone Units, Provided updates on key Montreal Protocol issues and allowed the Pacific Island Countries to share experiences and good practices, focused on strategies and actions for managing refrigerants throughout their life-cycle, including recovery, storage and disposal.
The Quota and Licensing System was a key topic that was raised from the meeting. This focused on countries’ obligations to the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment and to see the status of each country’s monitoring system. For the Cook Islands, the discussions provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen understanding of quota allocations, licensing processes, and data reporting requirements. The sessions also highlighted the importance of maintaining accurate import records, timely submission of Country Programme (CP) and Article 7 (A7) data, and strengthening collaboration between National Ozone Units, Customs, and importers to ensure compliance with international obligations.
Another key aspect was the support from Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA). They offered support for Pacific Island Countries by taking unwanted used refrigerants for disposal and destruction, as they have the facilities and resources to safely manage these substances. This work is expected to take place through the Moana Taka Programme, which focuses on the
transboundary movement of waste within the Pacific region. Discussions highlighted the importance of developing systems for the collection, storage, transport, and disposal of refrigerant waste, particularly as Pacific Island Countries begin to strengthen life-cycle refrigerant management practices. While further information is still being gathered on how the programme will operate, it presents a significant opportunity for the Cook Islands to explore options for the safe disposal and destruction of unwanted refrigerants that currently have limited end-of-life management options within the country.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for participants to learn from regional experiences and identify practical actions that can be applied within their own countries. Key areas discussed included strengthening national legislation and policies, improving data management systems, enhancing stakeholder engagement, increasing awareness of low Global Warming Potential (GWP) alternatives, and improving enforcement measures to prevent illegal trade in controlled substances. Overall, the meeting reinforced the importance of regional cooperation and knowledge sharing in supporting Pacific Island Countries to meet their obligations while protecting the ozone layer and addressing climate change.
