Symposium
"Ozone Depletion: from its discovery to Envisat and Aura"

At the invitation of UNEP, WMO, EESC, IO3C, the Academy of Athens, the BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION, ACADEMY OF ATHENS and the National Observatory of Athens, a core group of speakers who have played an important role in the success of the Montreal Protocol from its very beginning, will gather together in Athens, between 23-26 September 2007, to present state of the art scientific results and discuss the success of the implementation of the Montreal Protocol

Based on the outcome of the Symposium, a statement will be prepared and presented to the international community. The statement will highlight the vital role of scientific contributions in establishing the reality of the ozone threat and drawing attention to the need for action; the importance of realistic measures and cooperative elements in implementing the Protocol; the necessity for technological innovation in providing solutions; and the value of objective assessment of scientific, environmental, technological and economic factors in fostering consensus and the experience gained to address future global environmental threats.

THE MEETING

During the Symposium and following the Opening Ceremony, delegates will hear keynote speeches by eminent scientists and will be invited to participate in a Plenary round table debate on the interdependent roles of science, policy and technology in responding to global environmental change.

SESSIONS

There will be a review on the accomplishments of the scientific community in facilitating the negotiation of the Montreal Protocol and a description of the development of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) ozone depletion theory.

Also there will be discussions on:

• the most recent Montreal Protocol scientific assessment (Les Diablerets, 2006)
• highlights of the Montreal Protocol as an international model for implementation of protocols, science development in tandem with policy making, the complementarity of private and national interests, and positive media contributions.
• innovations and lessons learned in the Montreal Protocol process

SYMPOSIUM STATEMENT

A draft statement outlining the anticipated outcomes of the Symposium will be distributed to participants at the beginning of the meeting. On the following day, interested participants may meet informally to comment on and finalize the text.

REGISTRATION FEE

Those interested to participate will be charged a modest registration fee of 400 euro. The fee includes admission to the Symposium sessions and break areas, one copy of the Symposium Proceedings, a Welcome and a Farewell dinner. Participants are expected to finance their own travel and accommodation expenses.

REGISTRATION

If you wish to participate in the Symposium and receive more information, please submit the following information to the Symposium Secretariat by email (info@20yearsMontrealProtocol.org)
or fax: +30 210 3490120 until May 15, 2007.