19. The Secretariat introduced document FO: NEFC/2004/5 which highlighted the role of fire in the land-use system and natural ecosystem processes, the FAO Forestry Department’s work on forest fires, and the importance of networks and efficient collaboration at all levels to control fires or reduce their damaging impact. The document provided information on a global agreement on wildfires, as promoted by the International Wildland Fire Summit held in Australia in 2003. The importance of community participation in combating fires and, in particular, in fire prevention was stressed by participants. It was recalled that donors were already supporting participatory forest fire management in the region.
20. The Commission emphasized the significance of bilateral arrangements to address problems occurring across borderlines during fire-fighting operations. Regional agreements were, however, needed for promoting information networks and experience exchange, particularly on post-fire operations. The obligations and constraints of any agreement or convention were recalled.
21. The importance of selecting an institutional framework for implementing any proposed regional or international arrangement was stressed. The Commission recognized the validity of developing fire agreements and recommended that COFO 2005 discuss the principle of establishing bilateral and regional agreements for combating wild fires.
