Forty years ago, in Vienna, one of the most extraordinary examples of international cooperation came to life: the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. Signed by every country in the world, it was the first universal treaty dedicated to environmental protection and paved the way for the subsequent Montreal Protocol, which regulates the substances responsible for ozone depletion.
UNIDO’s latest campaign, 40 Years – 40 Voices, launched just a few days ago, features contributions from leading figures currently engaged in this global effort. Among them is Madi Sakandé, President of the Pan-African Association U-3ARC and lecturer at Centro Studi Galileo for more than a decade. In his statement, Dr. Sakandé spoke about the “hidden pillars” that link all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the global objectives adopted by the United Nations in 2015 under the 2030 Agenda.
The Protocol was born out of the work of the scientific community, which had been monitoring the atmosphere since the 1950s. Long-term measurements in Antarctica revealed an unprecedented phenomenon: the progressive thinning of the ozone layer, linked to emissions of CFCs and other chemical substances. What at first appeared to be an unlikely hypothesis soon proved to be irrefutable scientific evidence, prompting a rapid mobilization of the international community. Today, four decades later, that work continues in research centers around the world. Monitoring networks constantly measure overall atmospheric ozone levels, ultraviolet radiation, greenhouse gases, and ozone-depleting substances. These activities make it possible to detect unexpected emissions and trigger timely global alerts. With climate change profoundly affecting atmospheric composition and ozone holes reappearing over Antarctica each spring, such vigilance remains crucial.
The Montreal Protocol, now celebrating its 40th anniversary, stands not only as a historic success but also as a reminder: only through shared and continuous commitment will it be possible to confront the environmental challenges that lie ahead.