The international community will celebrate International Day for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (September 16) and the 20^th anniversary of signing and implementing the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

It is expected that all articles in the Montreal Protocol will be realised between 15-20 years.

Considered as one of the most successful international protocols on the environment, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer achieved a remarkable record, including removing 97 percent of the production and usage of substances that deplete the ozone layer such as CFC, halon and CTC from 1.5 billion tonnes in 1989 to 52 million tonnes in 2007. All these substances will be completely excluded by the end of 2009.

Vietnam is one of 191 countries and the European Community to ratify and implement the Montreal Protocol. Vietnam signed the protocol in 1994. It is predicted that Vietnam will consume 75 tonnes of substances that deplete the ozone layer in 2007 but the volume will diminish completely by 2040.