Country-Led Initiative on Forest Fire Preparedness and Innovative Technologies

October 24, 2025

Türkiye hosts global dialogue on wildfire management and innovation

Participants facing the stage of the eventFrom 20 to 22 October 2025, the Government of Türkiye, with support from the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF) Secretariat, hosted a Country-Led Initiative (CLI) on Forest Fire Preparedness and Innovative Technologies in Istanbul. The three-day event gathered policymakers, experts, and practitioners from around the world to explore how science, technology, and community action can help address the growing risks of wildfires under a changing climate.

Setting the stage for global cooperation

The event opened with statements from the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye, the FAO Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, the UNFF Bureau Chair, and the Director of the UNFF Secretariat, Ms. Juliette Biao, who also moderated the high-level segment. Senior officials from Azerbaijan, Finland, Hungary, Portugal, Spain, and Türkiye shared national experiences and innovations in fire prevention, preparedness, and ecosystem resilience.

Participants underscored the importance of integrated, cross-sectoral, and technology-driven approaches to wildfire management, calling for stronger international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and investment in innovation to mitigate wildfire risks.

Spotlight on key themes

The discussions focused on three central themes shaping the future of wildfire management:

  • Integrated fire management
    Experts highlighted the need for a holistic approach that balances prevention, preparedness, suppression, post-fire recovery, and the controlled use of fire. Many countries, participants noted, continue to invest heavily in suppression, calling for greater political commitment to more integrated and preventive strategies, as well as transboundary collaboration.

  • Technology and innovation
    Participants explored the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), drones, and satellite monitoring to enhance early warning, detection, and response systems. They emphasised the need for long-term investment in technology and the importance of bridging the gap between developed and developing countries in access to new tools and training.

  • Community-based fire management
    The CLI recognised that local communities are the first line of defence against wildfires. Discussions stressed the importance of combining traditional knowledge with modern practices, building community capacity, and strengthening cooperation between local actors, authorities, and national institutions.

Advancing global action

During the meeting, the Government of Brazil presented an initiative to develop a voluntary and non-prescriptive Call to Action on Integrated Fire Management and Wildfire Resilience, to be launched at the Belém Climate Summit in the context of COP30. Member States and international organisations were invited to endorse the Call at the Leaders’ level.

The outcomes of the Istanbul CLI will inform discussions at the twenty-first session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF21), to be held in May 2026 in New York, where the Government of Türkiye will present the key recommendations.

About the initiative

The Istanbul CLI was organised under the framework of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030, contributing to the Global Forest Goals by promoting integrated fire management, strengthening governance, and advancing regional and international cooperation.

The Istanbul Report on Integrated Fire Management

The Istanbul Report on Integrated Fire Management presents the key outcomes and recommendations from the international conference on Forest Fires: Preparedness and Innovative Technologies, held in Istanbul from 20 to 22 October 2025.

The report captures global perspectives on strengthening cooperation, policy coherence, and science-based approaches to integrated fire management, highlighting the importance of prevention, preparedness, and resilient landscapes.