WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION

UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME

ZIMBABWE

INTRODUCTION

Zimbabwe is attending this meeting for the first time and we note with appreciation the need for such a forum. This meeting enables Parties to the Vienna Convention in collaboration with World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other related Organisations to undertake ozone research and monitoring in order to effectively protect the ozone layer.

Zimbabwe is a signatory to both the Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. We have also ratified the London and Copenhagen Amendments. This just shows our commitment to the protection of the ozone layer.

MONITORING

In Zimbabwe, the Department of Meteorological Services is the focal institution responsible for weather and climatic monitoring. The issue of ozone monitoring is still new and we need bilateral or multilateral assistance to enable the Department to build capacity to monitor the ozone. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism is currently setting up an Ozone Office to coordinate the implementation of the Country Programme to phase out ozone depleting substances (ods) This Office which is being supported financially by the Multilateral Fund will enable the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to develop amongst other things, strong collaboration with the Meteorological Office and seek their active participation in ozone monitoring.

RESEARCH

Ozone research has not yet received high priority within the field of environmental research. This is attributed to the fact that the subject is relatively new. There is therefore need to direct both financial and human resources in this area. We have to mobilise the support of our Research Institutions and Universities to address this area. This will be the other role of the Ozone Office. We also need to asses our capacity to undertake such research and it is likely that we will need technical assistance. This however does not mean that we are not doing anything in this area. Zimbabwe has for the last two years with United States Assistance, carried some Country Studies on Climate Change with specific focus on agriculture,particularly the sector's adaptability vulnerability and mitigation.

CONCLUSIONS

Zimbabwe has a long way to go in order to build capacity to undertake ozone research and monitoring. Accordingly we would like to take this opportunity to welcome any financial and technical assistance to develop such a programme which may not only benefit Zimbabwe but our Region as a whole.

Through our participation at such forums we will be able to learn and apply relevant experiences and techniques to our own situation. We recommend that such meetings be also held at Regional levels to enable Parties to share experiences at that level.