The air conditioning in an office, the refrigerator preserving food in a household, and the cold storage keeping vaccines safe in a health facility may appear to have little in common with the protection of the Earth's atmosphere. Yet all are connected to one of the world's most important environmental agreements.The chemicals historically used in refrigeration, air conditioning, aerosols and other industrial applications contributed to the depletion of the ozone layer, the Earth's natural shield against harmful ultraviolet radiation. Their replacement by other chemicals, however, introduced a new climate challenge: some alternatives, particularly hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), are powerful greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.It is this intersection between protecting the ozone layer, addressing climate change and ensuring access to sustainable cooling that brought nearly 1,200 delegates, technical experts and partners from close to 200 Parties to Kigali from 2 to 6 November 2026 for the 38th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (MOP38).The meeting was particularly significant for Rwanda, as the country’s Minister of Environment, Dr. Bernadette Arakwiye, was elected to serve as the President of the MOP38 Bureau, placing Rwanda at the helm of global climate diplomacy for the session. Ten years earlier, in October 2016, the country hosted the historic negotiations that resulted in the adoption of the Kigali Amendment, extending international action under the Montreal Protocol to include the gradual phase-down of HFCs.A decade later, the world's attention returned to the same city, and the same historic venue, to assess progress, address outstanding challenges and renew the collective commitment to protecting the atmosphere.Why protecting the ozone layer mattersAlthough often discussed alongside climate change, ozone depletion and global warming are two different environmental challenges.The ozone layer is a naturally occurring concentration of ozone gas in the stratosphere, approximately 20 to 30 kilometres above the Earth's surface. It functions as an invisible protective shield, absorbing most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation before it reaches the planet's surface.Without this protection, increased exposure to UV radiation would have serious consequences for human health and the environment. It can increase the risk of skin cancer, cataracts and other eye conditions, while also damaging crops, disrupting ecosystems and affecting marine life.The threat became particularly evident in the 1980s, when scientists discovered severe thinning of the ozone layer over Antarctica, commonly known as the ozone hole.In response, countries adopted the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer in 1985, followed by the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987. The Protocol established a global framework for controlling and progressively eliminating the production and consumption of these harmful substances. Over time, this framework evolved to address modern climate realities, most notably through the adoption of the historic Kigali Amendment in 2016. By target-setting the global phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), this amendment added a massive climate mitigation dimension to the Protocol, with the potential to avoid up to 0.5°C of global warming by 2100 while driving the transition to energy-efficient cooling.Kigali puts global commitments to the testThe MOP38 preparatory segment, held from 2 to 4 November, was followed by the high-level segment on 5 and 6 November, which opened in the same room at the Kigali Convention Centre where the Kigali Amendment was adopted in 2016.One of the most consequential issues before the Parties was the replenishment of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol for the 2027–2029 period.The Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) estimated the funding requirement at between US$1.230 billion and US$1.692 billion, including support costs.The negotiations are critical because developing countries require predictable financial and technical assistance to meet their obligations. Ultimately, the Parties reached a historic consensus agreement in Kigali to replenish the Multilateral Fund with over US$1.03 billion, consisting of US$695 million in new contributions and US$335 million in carry-over funding, providing robust and predictable financial backing for Article 5 (developing) countries to meet upcoming climate targets. The resources will support the phase-out of HCFCs, the phase-down of HFCs, stronger national regulatory systems, technology upgrades and the training of refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians.The funding will also help countries strengthen refrigerant management, improve monitoring and reporting systems, introduce digital tools and address illegal trade in controlled substances.International delegates highlighted the growing threat of illegal cooling trade, and the urgency to integrating Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) into national frameworks as a vital mechanism to curb the illegal trade of cooling appliances. As the global phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) accelerates under the Kigali Amendment, strengthening the lifecycle management of cooling equipment has become a pivotal defense against smuggling, product dumping, and greenhouse gas emissions. Speaking on behalf of the United Nations system in Rwanda at the host country welcome reception, Mr. Mohamed Aw-Dahir, FAO Representative, welcomed delegates and described the occasion as a homecoming for the international community.He underscored the critical role of multilateralism in addressing global environmental challenges, stating, “Multilateralism is not an abstract concept. It is our most functional and successful tool for planetary survival.”Recalling the significance of the Kigali Amendment, he cautioned against complacency, stressing that the achievements of the Montreal Protocol must be supported by adequate and predictable resources.Replenishing the Multilateral Fund, he explained, should not be viewed merely as an environmental expenditure, but as an investment in developing countries' capacity to transition towards sustainable technologies, strengthen cold chains and build more resilient economies. At the opening of the high-level segment, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva called on countries to move beyond commitments and deliver tangible results.He emphasised that the next decade must focus on making climate-friendly cooling technologies accessible and affordable, particularly in developing countries.“ Cooling is essential to everyday development. Reliable refrigeration helps farmers preserve their produce and reach markets, while temperature-controlled storage ensures that vaccines and essential medicines can reach communities safely. Rwanda's Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES) is an example of how international commitments can be translated into practical solutions” said  Right Honorable Prime Minister, Dr. Justin.He also called for stronger South-South cooperation, emphasizing that developing countries must be active participants in shaping and driving the transition. Initially birthed as a direct legacy of the Kigali Amendment, ACES is strategically designed to serve the entire African continent by accelerating the uptake of sustainable, cutting-edge cold chain solutions, reducing post-harvest food losses, and strengthening vaccine distribution networks.Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UNEP, underscored the progress already achieved under the Kigali Amendment.“The implementation of action points decided in Kigali 10 years ago, had helped avoid more than 78 million tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions, while 176 Parties had ratified the Amendment, bringing it closer to universal participation” “The importance of the Multilateral Fund is very instrumental in helping countries establish the institutional frameworks, regulatory systems and technical capacity required to meet their commitments”. Emphasizing the escalating climate crisis, Ms. Mrema called on the scientific and international community to accelerate research and technology transfer tailored to developing regions facing severe heat stress, ensuring that vulnerable communities have access to sustainable, energy-efficient cooling solutions. Beyond the funding negotiations, Parties considered technical and institutional matters, including improvements in atmospheric monitoring of controlled substances and the continuing discrepancy between reported and derived emissions of HFC-23, a highly potent greenhouse gas generated as a by-product of certain industrial processes. To address these issues, the meeting approved an initiative under the Vienna Convention General Trust Fund to expand atmospheric monitoring stations in under-represented regions like Africa, Asia, and Latin America using open-access "FAIR" data principles, while directing the Scientific Assessment Panel (SAP) and TEAP to investigate unaccounted HFC-23 byproduct emissions. Crucially, the Parties endorsed eight compliance decisions, established Azerbaijan’s Kigali baseline, and adopted the "Advancing Resource-Efficient Operations" decision, which streamlines organizational costs by shortening future Open-Ended Working Groups to 4 days, shifting TEAP reporting to virtual pre-sessions, and introducing AI-assisted translation. Finally, the meeting confirmed that MOP39 will be hosted in Nairobi, Kenya, from 25 to 29 October 2027.The discussions underscored that maintaining progress requires more than international agreements. It also demands effective monitoring, accountability, scientific cooperation and sustained investment.The United Nations is working with the Government of Rwanda and national partners, including the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), to strengthen these efforts through technical cooperation, capacity development and support for national implementation strategies.For countries with relatively low consumption of controlled substances, this support is equally important. Strengthening national licensing frameworks, training specialised technicians and preventing illegal trade are essential to ensuring that no country is left behind in the transition.The successful hosting of MOP38 also demonstrated the importance of partnerships in advancing global environmental commitments.Through the Rwanda SDG Fund, the United Nations system, contributed $75,135 US Dollars towards the organisation and hosting of this impactful conference.The contribution supported conference’s technical and coordination assistance to the Government through REMA, as well as communication, visibility and outreach activities to profile Rwanda's leadership in ozone-layer protection and the implementation of the Kigali Amendment.The support was particularly significant given the scale of the meeting, which brought together approximately 1,200 international delegates, experts and partners.Beyond facilitating the conference, the contribution helped strengthen Rwanda's engagement in multilateral environmental diplomacy and reinforce the country's position as a global reference point in the transition towards climate-friendly technologies.The initiative also directly contributed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025–2029, particularly Strategic Priority 1 on Economic Transformation and Outcome 1, which seeks to advance competitive, diversified, resilient and inclusive economic growth through sustainable production and consumption.Mr. Aw-Dahir, on behalf of the UN System, thanked the Government of Rwanda for its leadership and the Ozone Secretariat for its stewardship of the Montreal Protocol process, calling for renewed international commitment to sustaining the achievements of the past decade.The next decade must deliver more than promisesAs MOP38 concluded in Kigali, the significance of the gathering extended beyond the anniversary celebrations. The discussions placed a fundamental question before the international community: can countries sustain the political commitment, financial resources and technical cooperation required to deliver on the promises made ten years ago?The transition to climate-friendly cooling is no longer an issue confined to environmental negotiations. It is central to how countries will protect public health, strengthen food systems, expand access to essential services, create green employment and build resilience in an increasingly warming world.For Rwanda, the meeting offered another opportunity to demonstrate that global environmental leadership can be translated into practical national development priorities.For the international community, it was a reminder that multilateral agreements deliver their greatest value when countries work together, invest in implementation and remain accountable for their commitments.As the world looks towards the Montreal Protocol's 40th anniversary in 2027, the challenge is not simply to celebrate what has been achieved, but to sustain and build upon it.A cooler planet, a healthier population and a more sustainable future will depend on the choices countries make today.