For information only – not an official document
UNIS/SGSM/1620
11 September 2026
Ten years ago, the world added a new chapter to one of its greatest environmental success stories. Building on the Montreal Protocol, which put the ozone layer on the path to recovery, nations adopted the Kigali Amendment to tackle a new threat: hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – potent greenhouse gases used for cooling.
This year’s theme, “Global action for a cooler planet”, highlights a defining climate challenge. As temperatures rise and extreme heat becomes more common, access to efficient cooling saves lives. We must meet that need fairly and sustainably.
Fully implemented, the Kigali Amendment alone could avoid up to 0.5 degrees Celsius of global warming by the end of the century – and twice as much when paired with energy-efficient cooling. This is essential for health, food security, livelihoods, and climate resilience.
On this World Ozone Day, I urge all countries to ratify and implement the Kigali Amendment, accelerate the shift to sustainable cooling, and protect people and planet.
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The thirteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) will be held from 19 to 23 October 2026 at the Vienna International Centre, Austria.
The Fifteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice concluded today with more than 60 countries agreeing time-bound actions to strengthen criminal justice responses, expand access to justice and improve international cooperation to tackle global crime threats.
The Fifteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice opened today with the adoption of the Abu Dhabi Declaration, a forward-looking global framework to strengthen international criminal justice cooperation against fast-evolving crime challenges and exploitation of digital technologies.
"It's time to choose dialogue over division, diplomacy over confrontation, and disarmament over destruction. States that possess nuclear weapons must honour their disarmament obligations and commit to the total elimination of nuclear weapons." — António Guterres
