Statement by the

Head of the Japanese Delegation

at the 27th Meeting of the Parties to the

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

1 – 5November, 2015

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

(Mr. / Madam) President,

Distinguished delegates,

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the effort made by the Executive Secretary and the members of the Ozone Secretariat in organizing this important meeting, as well as to the works done by the members of subsidiary bodies including the members of the assessment panels and compliance committees and the multilateral fund. I also would like to express myheartfeltgratitude to the warm hospitality offered by the Government ofUnited Arab Emirates hosting the meeting in Dubai this year.

  1. Introduction

First, I would like to congratulate that the Vienna Convention marked its 30thanniversarythis year since its signature in 1985. Under the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol, the Parties have substantiallyreduced the production and consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs), and this achievement has undoubtedly contributed to the enhancement of Sustainable Development. No one woulddeny that the Montreal Protocol is one of the most successful multilateral environmental agreements, which have demonstrated the universal commitments by almost all of the countries in the world,as well astheeffective cooperation between developing and developed countries in tackling global environmental challenges.

  1. ODS phase out with low-GWP alternatives/ HFC amendment proposals

The priority of the Government of Japan in the Montreal Protocol is to achieve steady phase out of ODS globally, taking into account environmental and health benefits, as well as the feasibility of the alternative technologies which includes adequate energy efficiency, cost effectiveness and safety requirements. In this regard, Japan will continue its cooperation toward the implementation of the Convention and the Protocol, also its contribution to the work of assessment panels and other subsidiary bodies through our knowledge and expertise.

At present, manyparties to the Montreal Protocol are tackling the challenges of acceleratedHCFC phase-outtaking into account climate impact and energy use pursuant to MOP decision XXI/6. Since most of the ODS have high GWP, the Montreal Protocol has greatly contributed not only to the ozone layer protection but also to the global warming mitigation. In addition, how to deal with the issues posed by the alternatives to HCFCs with high GWP, namely HFCs has been intensively discussed among parties.In this regard, Japanshares the view that phasing down of production and consumption of the HFCs is in principle, necessary for the global environment.

Parties have been considering the proposals to phase down HFCs under the Protocol for six years, in terms of their legal, technical and financial aspects. This year, we have had extensive discussion onissues in relation to the management of HFCs in the Workshop on HFC management and OEWG35 in April, and continued our consideration on the feasibility and possible ways of managing HFCs under the Montreal Protocol at the inter-sessional informal discussions and OEWG36. We also had an opportunity to seekclarifications on the relevant proposals at the OEWG36. These exchanges of views have helped us gain a certain basis for further discussion on the challenges and opportunities of HFC management.

In April this year, Japan enforced the new legislation aiming to phase down the production and import of HFCs and to promote low-GWP alternatives used in products and equipment with other measures to encourage proper management of Fluorocarbon.

In any case, Japan is ready to continue to work together with otherParties on theissue of possible amendment to the Montreal Protocol in view to phase down HFCs,and wishes to engage inconstructive discussions among Parties.

  1. Financial assistance and technology transfer (MLF)

In orderto achieve steady phase out of ODSs globally, Japan recognizes that financial assistance to the developing countries through the Multilateral Fund has played a significant role in facilitating their compliance with the Protocol.

Japan, as the second largest donor to the MLF, considers it essential that this fund is used as efficiently and effectivelyas possible, in order to help ensure implementationof the Protocol by all parties.

  1. Conclusion

Distinguished delegates,

While the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol is regarded as the most successful environmental agreements, we believe it necessary to continue working with a flexible and innovative approach. In order to fully utilize what we have achieved so far under the Protocol, Japan would like to make further efforts, to be a part of the global initiative to protect the environment.

Thank you for your attention.

1