Target countries: Tropical countries and communities
Lead by: ITTO
Supported by: FAO and UNFF
Supported by non-CPF partners: RECOFTC and The Global Fire Monitoring Center (GFMC)
Timeframe: 2025-2028
Contributions to forest-related goals: GFGs 1, 3, 5 and 6, KMGBF Targets 1, 3, 8, 10, 15 and 16, SDGs 3, 5, 7, 12, 13, 15, and 17
The overarching objective of this JI is to reduce the drivers and increased risk of wildfire in the tropics, and to promote integrated fire management (IFM) in tropical forests and surrounding landscapes, thereby contributing to reduced GHG emissions, the sustainable management of tropical forests, biodiversity conservation, and numerous other sustainable development goals.
The JI will work toward improved and effective IFM in tropical forests and surrounding landscapes by promoting best practices and leveraging lessons learned, training materials, and guidelines developed by various global and regional fire management initiatives, the public and private sectors, and academia. Key activities include promoting the dissemination and use of fire policy and technical guidelines, strengthening capacities and developing skills among various actors, including local forest communities, and enhancing regional and global cooperation.
With a focus on the tropics, the JI’s activities include the publication of tropical community-based fire management guidelines, and the development of an online Tropical IFM Toolkit, which will link to the efforts of the Global Fire Management Hub to develop an assessment tool for IFM and the creation of a global repository of fire information. Partners will also collaborate on joint training and side events to raise awareness of emerging fire issues and practitioners’ capacities.
In 2025, the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) advanced the development of the Tropical Forest Fire Management Toolkit. Progress included the compilation of diverse resources from across the tropics, the design of an information database, and user group testing.
In May 2025, RECOFTC, in collaboration with APF-Net and Tropenbos International, convened the Southeast Asia Fire Dialogue. The Dialogue included several days of training for representatives of community groups engaged in fire management and resulted in the launch of the Southeast Asia Fire Management Mechanism Platform. This platform is intended to facilitate the exchange of best practices, experiences, and challenges related to integrated fire management (IFM) among Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in the region. RECOFTC also continued the development of its Community-Based Fire Management Guidelines (CBFiM).
In June 2025, ITTO and FFAO co-hosted a tropical fire side event during the first plenary of the Global Fire Hub. The event featured experts from the three tropical regions, who presented on changing fire dynamics in the tropics in the context of climate change and other pressures.
In October 2025, in support of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), the Government of Türkiye, organized a country-led initiative on forest fires. Although not specifically focused on the tropics, the initiative contributed to raising awareness of fire preparedness and the application of innovative technologies.
In 2026, the ITTO plans to publicly launch the Tropical Forest Fire Management Toolkit in early summer. Dissemination of the toolkit will be supported through side events at major policy forums. The release of the Community-Based Fire Management Guidelines (CBFiM), developed by RECOFTC, is anticipated in the latter part of 2026. In addition, the UNFF Secretariat will produce a guide on mobilizing financing for integrated fire management, subject to availability of funding.
In 2027 and 2028, promotion of the Tropical Fire Management Toolkit, CBFiM guidelines, and other relevant tropical fire management training materials will continue. The JI focus will shift toward more joint training and field projects. Other future activities are still to be determined.
