International Days and Observances
International Day
for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
16 September
"Ozone for Life”
Ozone Day theme for 2020
On 19 December 1994, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 16 September the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date, in 1987, on which the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed.
Countries devote the Day each year to promote, at the national level, activities in accordance with the objectives of the Montreal Protocol and its amendments.
By the end of 2009, the Montreal Protocol had resulted in the elimination of over 98 per cent of historic levels of ozone-depleting substances.
On this International Day, let us strengthen our commitment to the full compliance with the Montreal Protocol by developed and developing countries alike. And let us hope that the enormous gains that have been made under this agreement will inspire the parties to other multilateral environmental agreements to implement those obligations as well.