Joint training session in Ashgabat organized by representatives of the Turkmenian Ozone Unit and UNIDO Project for HCFC phase-out in the Russian Federation
November 24, 2013
On November 21–22, 2013, Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, saw a two-day training session dedicated to the use of natural refrigerants as alternatives to ozone depleting substances being under phase-out. The organizers were members of the Ozone Unit under the Turkmenian Ministry of Environment Protection and UNIDO project for HCFC phase-out in the Russian Federation. The session was timed to the 20th anniversary of signing the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol by Turkmenistan.
On the first day of the session, representatives of various decision-making ministries, organizations, agencies, and public offices took part.
Consideration was given to provisions and development of the international and Turkmenian legislation in the area of protection of the ozone layer and Earth’s climate, and possible alternatives to ozone depleting substances and greenhouse gases to be used in Turkmenistan. The representatives of the Turkmenian party also communicated the situation in HCFC phase-out activities in Turkmenistan and implementation progress of the respective UNIDO/Turkmenistan project.
The Russian representatives shared their success in implementation of the project for HCFC phase-out in the Russian Federation. Special interest attracted development of the Russian legal framework, elaboration of by-laws, and technical regulations and standards of the Russian Federation and Customs Union. At least equal attention was given to collaboration between MNRE, FCS and MOI of the Russian Federation, and UNIDO-Business working group aimed at improving the legislation, suppressing illegal ODS importation, creating training centers, training HVAC&R installation technicians, holding federal competitions dedicated to the environment protection, etc.
On the second day, participants of the training session met representatives of the Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Environment Protection of Turkmenistan, largest public procurement authorities, foreign companies and representatives working on the territory of the country, and of the HVAC&R and construction sector (companies engaged in supply, installation and maintenance of refrigerating systems).
The meeting looked into the Turkmenian ozone layer protection legislation in detail. The UNIDO representatives dealt with matters of using natural refrigerants in Turkmenistan and existing international practice in application of refrigerating systems in hot countries. They also covered thermodynamic properties of natural refrigerants, their advantages, disadvantages, areas of successful application, global trends of their market development, and energy-efficient solutions using natural refrigerants.
Representatives of LG, GREE (Peyman commerical company), and Midea presented the situation on the Turkmenian HVAC&R market and working models of using refrigerants in the country.
Head of the Turkmenian Ozone Unit G. Joraeva showed the first training stand prepared with support of the UNIDO representatives for training of refrigeration technicians.
Then, students of Ashgabat college No. 4 held the first skill building session using the stand and rapid-response analyzer that determines the refrigerant type and composition. In December 2013, the Turkmenian Ozone Unit will deliver more up-to-date rapid-response analyzers for training of customs and other services engaged in control over the ODS use.
The session finished with group photos
The two-day training session resulted in recommendations on standardization, creation, and development of professional trade associations; training of specialists in the matters of environmentally safe refrigeration and air-conditioning; training of specialists in the matters of suppression of illegal importation and control over the ODS use (customs service, state committee for standardization); elaboration of systems for technicians’ certification, and exchange of experience in HCFC phase-out; and in other fields related to adoption of environmentally safe technologies.