The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has, by proclamation, declared Wednesday, September 16, 2026, as “International Ozone Day,” to be observed throughout the country as a working holiday.
The proclamation calls on citizens, government ministries and agencies, foreign residents, as well as national and international organizations to join the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in undertaking appropriate programs and activities befitting the occasion.
According to a Foreign Ministry release, the United Nations General Assembly designated September 16 as the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The agreement is aimed at protecting human health, the environment, and future generations from the harmful effects of ozone-depleting substances.
The proclamation emphasizes that the ozone layer serves as a vital shield against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Its protection, the President noted, is essential to safeguarding human health, agriculture, terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and the overall well-being of the planet.
Furthermore, the proclamation describes the Montreal Protocol as a landmark example of effective international environmental cooperation. It demonstrates that nations, guided by science and united by a common purpose, can successfully address global environmental challenges and achieve measurable results.
The proclamation also highlights the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, adopted in 2016, as a historic commitment by the international community to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)—potent greenhouse gases widely used in refrigeration and air-conditioning—while promoting energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable cooling solutions.
As 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the Kigali Amendment, the occasion provides an important opportunity for the international community to reflect on progress made over the past decade and renew its commitment to sustainable cooling, climate action, technological innovation, and environmental stewardship.
The Liberian Government, according to the proclamation, recognizes that protecting the ozone layer and reducing climate-warming emissions are integral to the country’s pursuit of sustainable development, climate resilience, environmental protection, public health, and an inclusive green economy.
Moreover, Liberia, as a party to the Montreal Protocol and its amendments, remains committed to fulfilling its international environmental obligations. The government also pledged to strengthen national measures for the responsible management and phase-down of ozone-depleting substances and refrigerants with high global-warming potential.
The proclamation further notes that Liberia’s growing demand for refrigeration and air-conditioning services makes the transition to efficient, climate-friendly, and ozone-safe cooling technologies particularly important for households, businesses, health facilities, the agricultural sector, schools, industries, and communities across the country.
It stresses that the successful implementation of sustainable cooling solutions will require strong collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians, importers and distributors, academic and technical institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, youth, and local communities.
Against this backdrop, the official celebration of International Ozone Day 2026 will be observed under the global theme: “Global Action for a Cooler Planet.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia.
