Global action urged for ozone protection, sustainable cooling

World Ozone Day 2026 was observed in Dhaka on Thursday with a call for stronger global action to protect the ozone layer and promote sustainable cooling.

A discussion was held at the auditorium of the Department of Environment at 11:00am, bringing together representatives of government and private organisations, professional bodies and industries.

Director General of the Department of Environment Dr Md Lutfor Rahman attended the programme as the chief guest, while Additional Director General Muhammad Solaiman Haider chaired the discussion.

Deputy Director of the Department of Environment Md Mahiuddin Manik presented the keynote paper.

This year’s World Ozone Day theme, set by the United Nations Environment Programme, is “Global action for a cooler planet-Celebrating 10 years of sustainable cooling”.

The theme highlights the progress made globally in sustainable cooling over the past decade while calling for faster action in the years ahead.

The central message of “Global action for a cooler planet” is that collective global efforts can help build a cooler, safer and more sustainable future.

Participants at the discussion exchanged views and recommendations on effective measures to protect the ozone layer.

World Ozone Day has been observed globally since 1995 to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol and raise public awareness about ozone-layer protection.

The protocol was signed by world leaders in Montreal, Canada, on September 16, 1987, with the aim of protecting the ozone layer.