8 November 2009: The 21st Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (MOP-21) took place in Port Ghalib, Egypt, from 4-8 November 2009.

MOP-21 adopted 30 decisions, including on: examining alternatives to hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs); guidance to the Executive Committee on institutional strengthening; essential uses; environmentally sound management of ozone depleting substance (ODS) banks; methyl bromide; programme and budget; and data and compliance issues. Delegates also considered a North American proposal to amend the Montreal Protocol to phase-down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), but after China, India and several Arab countries disagreed with discussing HFCs under the Montreal Protocol, the amendment proposal was withdrawn from the discussion. [IISD RS meeting coverage]