Collaborative Partnership on Forests

Grow The Solution

Integrated fire management in tropical forests

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

Objective

The overarching objective of this initiative is to significantly reduce the excessive use of fire/risk of wildfires and promote integrated fire management (IFM) in tropical forests and surrounding landscapes, thereby contributing to the sustainable management of these invaluable natural assets for economic, environmental and social sustainability.   

This initiative will contribute to improved and effective IFM in tropical forests and surrounding landscapes by promoting best practices and leveraging lessons learned, training materials, and guidelines developed by different global and regional fire management initiatives, public and private sector, and academia. Key activities of the initiative include strengthening the dissemination of current fire policy and technical guidelines and frameworks, building capacities and skill development for various actors, including local forest communities, and enhancing regional and global cooperation. The Joint Initiative will also focus on producing a study and practical guide for mobilizing financing for IFM. 

With a specific focus on the tropics, this initiative will contribute and link to the Global Fire Hub’s efforts to develop an assessment tool for IFM and creation of a global repository for fire information. 

Main activities

In 2025, development of the Tropical Forest Fire Management Toolkit will begin under the lead of ITTO, with a verification meeting tentatively planned for summer 2025. RECOFTC will develop its Community-Based Fire Management Guidelines (CBFiM) and conduct planned trainings, in addition to hosting the Southeast Asia Fire Dialogue. JI partners will actively participate in the FAO-hosted Global Fire Hub Plenary, including exploring the potential to develop a sub-group focused on the tropics under the Global Fire Hub structure. A study on the landscape of forest fire financing will be initiated by UNFF, and efforts will be made to seek additional partners and collaborators for the JI.

In 2026, work will continue with further refinement of the Tropical Forest Fire Management Toolkit, along with joint training events in tropical regions, potentially through GFMC partner centers, to disseminate the ITTO Toolkit, FAO fire guidelines, RECOFTC CBFiM guidelines, and other relevant tools and training materials. The study on the landscape of forest fire financing will also be finalized by UNFF.

In 2027, promotion of the Tropical Fire Management Toolkit and other relevant tropical fire management training materials will continue through implementation of field projects in tropical regions, and UNFF will produce a Guide for Mobilizing Financing for Integrated Fire Management. Other future activities for 2027 are still to be determined.

In 2028, promotion of the Toolkit and other relevant training materials in tropical fire management will continue through field project implementation, with additional activities yet to be determined.

Expected impacts by the end of the 2025-2028 period

  1. Tropical Countries will have access to proven examples, training material and guidelines that are regionally and ecosystem-specific, and training opportunities, thus enabling them to develop strengthened policy frameworks and technical skills in IFM.
  2. Tropical Countries will have access to proven examples, training material and guidelines that are regionally and ecosystem specific, and training opportunities, thus enhancing their capacities for implementing IFM in Tropical Forests and surrounding landscapes.
  3. Strengthened Regional and International Collaboration, Information Sharing, Knowledge Management, Networking, and Outreach for Integrated Fire Management in Tropical Forests and surrounding landscapes.
  4. Study on the landscape of forest fire financing and a practical guide on mobilizing financing for Integrated Fire Management to enable countries to more sustainably implement IFM.