LocationsRemarks by Ms Beate Trankmann at the "Meeting to Commemorate the 2025 World Ozone Day"
September 16, 2025
UNDP Resident Representative in China, Beate Trankmann, delivered a speech at the "Meeting to Commemorate the 2025 World Ozone Day", hosted by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment
尊敬的于会文副部长，李天威司长，
(Esteemed Vice-Minister Yu Huiwen & Director-General Li Tianwei)
Ms. Megumi Seki and Ms. Tina Birmpili,
尊敬的 各位来宾， 女士们，先生们，
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
大家- 上午好！ Good morning!
我谨代表联合国开发计划署， 共同纪念国际臭氧层保护日 和 《保护臭氧层维也纳公约》的 四十周年.
On behalf of the United Nations Development Programme, I’m pleased to be here at today’s event celebrating the 2025 World Ozone Day and the 40th anniversary of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer.
Over the past four decades, China has played a critical role in advancing the mandates of the Vienna Convention, which established the initial global framework for regulating and eliminating the use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) subsequently leading to the adoption of the Montreal Protocol. China’s contributions to meeting these international agreements have been instrumental to the healing of the ozone layer, now on track for a complete recovery by the middle of the century.
But we must continue to remain vigilant. Our environment is still under threat from harmful substances, and the work to safeguard the planet remains as critical as ever.
Indeed, with the adoption of the Kigali Amendment in 2016, new targets have been set for phasing down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – potent greenhouse gases contributing to climate change.
Fully meeting these targets will require continued innovation and the roll-out of new approaches that emphasize green, low-carbon and energy-efficient technological pathways.
As the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of HFCs globally, China continues to be a vital partner in search of solutions. Its ratification of the Kigali Amendment in 2021 was an important step, accompanied by strong enforcement of policies, innovation in alternative technologies, and implementation of market mechanisms to promote the reduction of HFCs.
By the end of 2022, China’s successful phase-out of roughly 628 thousand metric tonnes of ozone-depleting substances, prevented an estimated 26 billion metric tonnes of CO2 equivalents in greenhouse gas emissions.
"Fully meeting the targets set by the 2016 Kigali Amendment will require continued innovation and the roll-out of new approaches that emphasize green, low-carbon and energy-efficient technological pathways."
These efforts are crucial, not just for the globally shared commitment to repairing the ozone layer, but also for achieving China’s ambitious “Dual Carbon” goals – to peak emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.
As the lead international agency for implementing the Montreal Protocol in China, UNDP has been closely supporting progress in this area. For over 30 years, we have collaborated with partners on a total of 194 projects, helping to phase out harmful substances and transform critical industries and sectors to be more environmentally friendly.
Moving forward, we are committed to building on these efforts and continuing to support China to achieve its targets under the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment.
We also stand ready to support international exchange and cooperation with other countries to advance efforts to realize these important agendas globally, drawing on China’s technology, expertise, and experience gained over the last several decades.
Indeed, with this year also marking the United Nations’ 80th anniversary as well as UNDP’s 60th anniversary, the Montreal Protocol is a reminder of how critical international cooperation is. Ratified by all UN member states, it stands out as one of the most exemplary cases of successful multilateral cooperation under the UN framework, demonstrating the value of collective global efforts to sustainable development and the protection of our planet.
With that, I want to express my thanks to FECO, as well as the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, for organizing today’s meeting, and let me close with an ancient Chinese saying:
“行百里者半九十，致胜利者积跬”
(The last leg of a journey is the most challenging—ultimate success comes from steady and continuous effort.)
In the last mile towards 2030, let us work together to raise ambitions and accelerate momentum towards a healthier and more prosperous planet for future generations.
Related
content
content
