Portugal Forum Culminates In Framework To Tackle Global Change
BY Tiago Oliveira is chair of the AGIF board of directors
The 8th International Wildland Fire Conference, held in Porto, Portugal, May 16-19, was a significant milestone in addressing the challenges posed by wildfires worldwide.
More than 1,300 participants from 90 countries gathered in 65 sessions with more than 200 speakers who covered all steps of integrated fire management and discussed principles toward an international landscape fire governance framework.
For almost a week, the international community showcased the best of its collaborative spirit toward complexity and uncertainty posed by wildfires.
The significant attendance, diverse range of speakers, global representation, extensive sessions, exhibitors, sponsors, and exhibition area all contributed to fostering meaningful discussions, knowledge sharing, and the advancement of fire governance and management practices. Participants recognized the urgent need to develop institutional arrangements, public policies, and guidelines to mitigate the consequences of environmental changes, socioeconomic factors, and climate change on fire regimes. The conference served as a catalyst for international collaboration and the development of a fire governance framework.
A crucial output emerged in the form of the Landscape Fire Governance Framework – Guiding Principles for Adjusting Strategies, Policies, and Management to Global Change (https://www.wildfire2023.pt/ conference/framework). This document, which had been prepared, circulated, and discussed among experts and government and non-government institutions, gained significant traction among the participants. After international consultations on the framework text, it was unanimously agreed that the document should be formally recognized as a guiding set of principles and goals for enhancing governance in integrated fire management. Consequently, delegates proposed that the framework be brought forward to the United Nations and international and regional intergovernmental organizations, with the aim of securing its official endorsement.
The international liaison committee, responsible for stewarding the International Wildland Fire Conferences, played a pivotal role in co-ordinating the development of the global statement and framework. The committee, along with its individual and organizational members, committed to working toward the endorsement of the Landscape Fire Governance Framework by appropriate UN bodies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), with the support of the Wildland Fire Advisory Group and the Global Wildland Fire Network.
The impact of the conference extended beyond its immediate outcomes. The principles for a landscape fire governance framework received widespread international support, attracting attention from prominent nations and organizations. Countries such as the United States, Germany, Brazil, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Spain actively participated in discussions on the framework principles and expressed their commitment to continued collaboration on integrated landscape fire management. Additionally, international organizations including the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the United Nations acknowledged the significance of the framework and pledged their support for enhanced international cooperation in this domain.
Notable figures and leaders of the above organizations also acknowledged the importance of effective governance in addressing the global wildfire challenge, emphasizing the conference’s objective of proposing governance guidelines that empower countries to better manage fire risk. The aim was to develop a work map, aligned with the United Nations’ agenda, that would enable nations to contribute collectively to reducing the impact of fires.
Taking stock on the diversity of attendees and scope of the conference, OECD also took the chance to present its latest flagship report, Taming Wildfires in the Context of Climate Change, which provides a global assessment of wildfire risk, underlining the need to scale up climate change adaptation efforts, limiting wildfire risk. This report was based on a cross-country comparative analysis and, also provides a set of policy recommendations to support countries in wildfire risk reduction, and therefore was quite in line with the conference’s topic and tone.
There was also an opportunity for Portugal’s Agency for Integrated Rural Fire Management, which is known by the acronym AGIF, to present the evolution of the system that has been in the works since 2017, and share the results and next steps toward international best practices. It should be noted that the existing system in Portugal, and AGIF’s activities, closely follow those contained in the framework.
Last, but not least, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) announced its FireHub initiative, which will bring together the best knowledge and practices on integrated wildfire management; the hub will be a good development ground for the framework’s principles as more countries join its activities.
The president of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, highlighted the invaluable resource that forests represent and the devastating impact that fires have on the environment and socio-economic well-being. Rebelo de Sousa stressed the importance of governance based on a long-term vision, transcending political cycles, to effectively tackle wildfires.
Gordon Sachs, chair of the international liaison committee, emphasized the strength that arises from collaboration. Sachs underscored the significance of common strategies, policies, and management practices in enabling nations to combat the global threat of fires effectively. Sachs also expressed his belief that the conference had provided invaluable information to guide expectations, manage uncertainties, and transform fire governance.
The success of the 8th International Wildland Fire Conference can be attributed to the collaboration and dedication of numerous stakeholders, including the institutional partners who supported the event’s organization. The involvement of institutions such as the FAO, OECD, GFMC, Forest Europe, the International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF), and the European Forest Institute contributed to the conference’s success and its ability to foster global cooperation and knowledge exchange.
The conference provided a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and the formulation of strategies to mitigate the impact of wildfires on the environment, society, and security.
The outcomes of the conference have the potential to shape international policies, institutional arrangements, and public strategies related to fire management, as the framework gains recognition and support from relevant international organizations. The conference paved the way for increased collaboration, co-operation, and the adoption of balanced and technically supported solutions to manage fire risk effectively.
The 8th International Wildland Fire Conference stands as a testimony to the shared determination of the global wildfire community to mitigate the impact of wildfires, protect ecosystems and communities, and ensure the sustainable management of fire-prone landscapes. Through continued collaboration and the implementation of effective fire governance practices, nations can collectively work towards a safer and more resilient future.
Attendance: The conference attracted a substantial gathering of 1,345 attendees. These participants included fire management experts, policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and representatives from various organizations, all united in their commitment to addressing the complex issues associated with wildland fires.
Diverse speakers: With 200 speakers contributing their expertise and insights, the conference provided a platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and innovative approaches to fire management. The diverse range of speakers ensured a comprehensive exploration of topics vital to understanding and mitigating the impact of wildfires.
Global representation: The event witnessed representation from 90 countries, highlighting the truly international nature of the conference. This global participation further emphasized the shared challenges faced by nations worldwide and the necessity for collaborative efforts in addressing the consequences of wildfires.
Extensive sessions: The conference featured an impressive lineup of 65 sessions, covering a wide range of topics relevant to fire governance and management. These sessions served as avenues for in-depth discussions, knowledge exchange, and the exploration of innovative strategies to enhance fire resilience.
Diversity: With roughly two-thirds of the presentations about integrated fire management, and the rest about its governance, this was a step forward from previous conferences, discussing topics related to wildfires that are not usually debated in such events. Another milestone was about gender balance, as women accounted for about 40 per cent of the presentations.
Exhibitors: A total of 47 exhibitors showcased their products, technologies, and services related to fire management and mitigation. The 2,000 -square-meter exhibition area provided an opportunity for participants to engage with cuttingedge solutions and advancements in the field, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Sponsorship: The conference enjoyed support from 15 sponsors, whose contributions played a crucial role in facilitating the event’s organization and success. The sponsors’ commitment demonstrated their recognition of the conference’s significance and their dedication to promoting effective fire governance worldwide.
