The government of the Maldives plans to ban the import of HCFC-based equipment from 1 July 2014. Minister of State for Environment and Energy, Mr. Abdul Matheen Mohamed, announced this at the closing ceremony of a national media training workshop on ozone and climate held in Maldivian capital Malé today. The workshop was aimed at sensitizing the media about climate and energy efficiency benefits of HCFC phase-out for the industry and households in the Maldives.

At the closing ceremony, Ms. Miruza Mohamed, the National Ozone Officer, announced a new media award for excellence in ozone/climate related media products carried in print, broadcast and web media in the Maldives. The USD 1,000 award is open to all Maldivian journalists and broadcasters working in Divehi and English.