United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and WALTON signed an agreement on Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) phase out project, today on 29 December at the latter’s office in Dhaka.

Sudipto Mukerjee, Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh and SM Ashraful Alam, Managing Director, Walton Hi-Tech Industries Limited signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations.

After the ratification of the Montreal Protocol in 1990, UNDP has been working with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and private industries to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion.

In line with that UNDP and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, with funding from the Montreal Protocol, will support WALTON, the largest refrigerator manufacturer in Bangladesh to phase out HFCs.  These are mainly used in refrigerators and air conditions, which are  contributing to global warming rapidly. Earlier in 2011, MoFCC and UNDP, supported WALTON to phase out HCFC.

Attending the signing ceremony, Sudipto Mukerjee Said, “UNDP is proud to partner with WALTON in the world’s single largest private sector conversion project to save the planet and help to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 12-Sustainable Consumption and Production.” He also thanked the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Montreal Protocol for partnering with UNDP.

SM Ashraful Alam highlighted WALTON’s effort to keep Bangladesh green. “Conservation of environment is always our top priority and we are glad to take part in this journey with UNDP to save the Ozone layer”

Among others Khurshid Alam and Shaila Khan, Assistant Resident Representatives, UNDP, Mamunur Rashid, Climate Change Specialist, UNDP and other high officials from UNDP and WALTON were present.