On March 10, 2022, in Bishkek, a kick-off seminar for the UNEP/UNDP project to develop a new State program to phase down hydrofluorocarbons for 2024-2029 was held. The seminar was attended by representatives of the following government bodies:
Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Control of the Kyrgyz Republic;
Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic;
Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic;
National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic;
State Agency for Architecture, Construction, Housing and Communal Services under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic;
State Border Service of the Kyrgyz Republic;
State Customs Service of the Kyrgyz Republic;
Fire Supervision Service under the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic;
Center for Standardization and Metrology under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic;
UNDP office in the Kyrgyz Republic;
Representatives of the refrigeration sector, educational institutions and non-governmental organizations.
A report on the topic “Preparation of a draft State program for the phase down of HFC use in Kyrgyzstan” outlining the main strategies for phasing out HFCs, policies and new legislation in the field of regulation and use of HFCs was done. Participants learnt about activities to build the capacity of the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps sector (RAC HP) to reduce HFC consumption and introduce alternatives.
At the meeting participants discussed the following issues:
– Participation of state bodies in the development of the State program to phase down of hydrofluorocarbons for 2024-2029, the role and obligations of each ministry and department in this program;
-Revision of the current regulatory framework for ODS/HFCs and possible policy options in the field of HFC regulation;
– The problem of personnel training and certification of specialists in the safe handling of natural refrigerants and modern refrigeration equipment;
– Implementation of systemic reporting on the circulation of HFCs, accounting of cooling equipment operating on HFCs and control over the registry of refrigerants and equipment; – Responsibilities of the border and customs services, environmental and technical supervision service of the MPRETN to control the import/export of HFCs;
– Introduction of new safety standards for alternative technologies based on natural refrigerants.
At the meeting, it was decided to elaborate short-term and long-term policies to reduce HFC consumption based on the provisions of the Kigali Amendment with the participation of leading experts from government agencies. It was recommended to invite employees of interested organizations to further discussions of issues of cooperation and joint actions in the implementation of the obligations of Kyrgyzstan on the regulation of HFCs.