ROME, July 27, 2024 – The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has launched new guidelines to help countries manage the risks of destructive wildfires, which are projected to increase by 50% by the end of the century due to climate change.
On July 26, 2024, the FAO released the “Integrated Fire Management Voluntary Guidelines” at a side event during the 9th World Forest Week in Rome. The guidelines provide a framework for countries to adopt proactive strategies to prevent and prepare for wildfires, rather than just responding to them.
The guidelines emphasize the importance of involving Indigenous Peoples and local communities in fire management decisions and promote gender inclusion. The release of the guidelines marks the debut of the Global Fire Management Hub, a new initiative launched by FAO and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to unite the global fire management community and enhance national capacities.
The Fire Hub has received nearly $5 million in funding from key partners, including Canada, France, Germany, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, and the United States.
“The guidelines and the Fire Hub are crucial tools in our fight against devastating wildfires, which threaten people, the environment, and sustainable development,” said Zhimin Wu, Director of FAO’s Forestry Division.