Transforming Global Wildfire Response : From Suppression to Prevention


The Korea Forest Service (KFS), led by Minister KIM In-ho, participated virtually in the 4th Global Fire Management Hub Steering Committee Meeting, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from February 4 to 5.


The Global Fire Management Hub is a key platform jointly led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on global wildfire response. This meeting brought together key countries and institutions to extend Integrated Fire Management (IFM)* globally, which focuses on wildfire planning, prevention, and response in the era of the climate crisis. Participating countries with strong interests in wildfire management included the Republic of Korea, the United States, Germany, Canada, Brazil, and Zimbabwe.
* Integrated Fire Management (IFM): A forest fire management principle adopted by major developed countries, including Korea, and international organizations. IFM is an approach that enables the effective management of forest fires through the integration of all phases of the fire management cycle: ① planning, ② prevention, ③ preparedness, ④ response, and ⑤ recovery.


The KFS showcased the Assuring the Future of Forests with Integrated Risk?Management (AFFIRM), a collaborative project with FAO, and emphasized the importance of wildfire data around the world and knowledge sharing. Also, participating countries discussed mutual cooperation measures among countires regarding human and material resources for firefighting, as well as wildfire management response methods based on traditional knowledge and field experience led by local communities.


Nam Song-hee, Director General of the International Affairs Bureau of Korea Forest Service said “By reinforcing global cooperation on wildfire management, the Korea Forest Service will broaden its sharing of Korea’s advanced wildfire policies and scientific technologies, and further enhance our wilddfire response capability.”