Good afternoon!

It’s a pleasure to join old friends, and new ones, for this meeting of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition. I extend my thanks to the Members and Secretariat for your efforts to ensure this is a coalition of action.

One of the main successes of the coalition was the work done to secure the Kigali Amendment. Together, we pioneered the first set of 15 national hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) inventories, increased awareness to phase down HFCs and mobilized political will for an ambitious HFC phase down. From the first 20 countries that ratified the Amendment, 13 were from this Coalition.

We know the power of working together towards a goal. This is why Rwanda suggested the coalition come together and maximize the climate and development benefits of the HFC phase out.

Because this is a coalition of action, just six months later the CCAC Efficient Cooling Initiative was created. The Initiative aims to build the political will to deliver action at scale to address the climate crisis and promote development. It will do so by enhancing energy efficiency in the cooling sector while transitioning away from HFCs.

The CCAC Efficient Cooling Initiative is a great vehicle to mobilize high level political will and commitment - unlocking finance and technology innovation and activating markets. Rwanda stands ready to support the CCAC efforts in this area and champion the need to improve energy efficiency during the HFC phase down to raise ambition and respond to the 1.5°C challenge.

We will continue to work with all coalition Members and partners to build a future worthy of the aspirations of our children and grandchildren.

Thank you.