World likely to be freed from ozone-depleting substances by January 2010

The world has been cleaned from 85 per cent of the ozone-depleting substances (ODS), while remaining 15 per cent will be eliminated by January 2010. This was stated by Federal Environment Minister, Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi, while addressing a seminar organised to commemorate the International Ozone Day, 2008, here on Thursday.
Secretary Ministry of Environment Khushnood Akhtar Lashari and UNIDO country representative Shadia Yousif Bakait were also present. Every year 193 nations of the world join together under the auspices of the United Nations and reiterate their commitment to global efforts for the preservation of ozone layer.
Addressing the participants, the minister said that it is encouraging to note that the parties to the Montreal Protocol are determined to protect the ozone layer. "The concert efforts of the parties to the Montreal Protocol are not only facilitating the recovery of ozone layer but also contributing towards the reduction of the global warming. The parties indeed deserve our heartiest congratulations on their remarkable achievements", he remarked.
Depletion of ozone layer is a serious problem confronting the global community today along with other environmental problems such as drought and desertification, loss of forests, loss of biodiversity, degradation of ecosystems, disposal of solid and liquid wastes and various kinds of pollution. Afridi said that the ministry is fully conscious of the challenges faced by environment and is trying to bring practical solutions.
In order to fulfil its International obligations, Pakistan has signed 14 International Environmental Conventions and Protocols including the Montreal Protocol. Earlier, Khizar Hayat Khan, Joint Secretary, International Co-operation, said that this year's theme of the International Ozone Day for the preservation of Ozone Layer is "Montreal Protocol Global Partnership for Global Benefits".
It calls upon all the parties to the Montreal Protocol to accelerate efforts to protect the planet and future generations. Furthermore, he apprised that Ozone Cell has played proactive role with the co-operation of national and International key players for replacing the use of ozone depleting chemicals in the foam, refrigeration, metal cleaning and fire fighting sectors.