What is the Forest Fire Management in Asia Initiative?
AFoCO’s Forest Fire Management in Asia (FFMA) Initiative is a flagship five-year regional program (2026–2030), jointly supported by the Republic of Korea and France, that strengthens Asia’s capacity to prevent, respond to, and recover from forest fires. It enhances forest fire governance through institutional strengthening, ecosystem-specific training of trainers, advanced technical and graduate-level education, and multi-level capacity development for front-line officers and decision-makers.
By integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools and modern monitoring systems to improve risk assessment and operational readiness, and by promoting science-based approaches, cross-border coordination, and hands-on fieldwork, the Initiative builds a skilled regional workforce. It also encourages community participation and sustainable land management practices to address the underlying drivers of fire, ultimately enhancing the climate resilience of Asia’s forest ecosystems.
Currently, the FFMA Initiative is implemented through three key operational components and cooperation mechanisms:
Scope
Regional initiative available to all AFoCO Member States
Strategic objective
Strengthen regional capacity for forest fire prevention, detection, and response
Duration
2024–2034 (10 Years)
Pilot phase (2023–2025) → Main phase (2026–2030) → Sustainability (2030–2034)
Pilot phase (2023–2025) → Main phase (2026–2030) → Sustainability (2030–2034)
Main activities
1) Conduct national Training-of-Trainers (ToT) programs
2) Strengthen international technical partnerships
3) Develop cross-border governance protocols
4) Expand predictive modeling and remote monitoring
5) Deploy AI-based fire detection and early warning systems
2) Strengthen international technical partnerships
3) Develop cross-border governance protocols
4) Expand predictive modeling and remote monitoring
5) Deploy AI-based fire detection and early warning systems
Strategic outcomes
Technology-enabled and regionally coordinated fire management system
FFMA Main Achievements
Key Milestones of the Component 1 of the FFMA Program
| 1st TOTFFS in Tropical Forest | 2nd TOTFFS in Tropical Forest | 3rd TOTFFS in Tropical Forest | 1st TOTFFS in Peatland | 1st TOTFFS in Dryland | 4th TOTFFS in Tropical Forest | 2nd TOTFFS in Peatland | |||||||
 Host Country (2023) |
Host Country (2024) |
Host Country (2025) |
 Host Country (2025) |
 Host Country (2025) |
Host Country (2026) |
Host Country (2026) |
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|
24 ADVANCED FOREST FIRE FIGHTERS |
4 TRAINERS |
21 ADVANCED FOREST FIRE FIGHTERS |
6 TRAINERS |
18 ADVANCED FOREST FIRE FIGHTERS |
6 TRAINERS |
19 ADVANCED FOREST FIRE FIGHTERS |
8 TRAINERS |
23 ADVANCED FOREST FIRE FIGHTERS |
9 TRAINERS |
22 ADVANCED FOREST FIRE FIGHTERS |
9 TRAINERS |
23 ADVANCED FOREST FIRE FIGHTERS |
8 TRAINERS |
|
11 PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES  |
11 PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES  |
4 PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES  |
4 PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES  |
5 PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES  |
5 PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES  |
6 PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES  |
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|
2 TRAINER COUNTRIES  |
4 TRAINER COUNTRIES  |
3 TRAINER COUNTRIES  |
2 TRAINER COUNTRIES  |
3 TRAINER COUNTRIES  |
4 TRAINER COUNTRIES  |
3 TRAINER COUNTRIES  |
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Capacity Building on Enhancing Resilience to Forest Fire, and Local Livelihood and Market Linkages Main Achievement
8 Lookout Towers and Early Fire Detection Devices Installed
12 Drones Delivered
Mobile Fire Monitoring Software Installed
400 Backpack Water Pumps Distributed
6 Fire-Fighting Engines and 3 Pickup Trucks Deployed
5 Regional Fire Management Symposiums Conducted
80 ha Fire Resilient Landscape Restored
Emergency Water Tank Reservoirs Secured for Dry-Season Readiness
Reference: Internal Interim Report Submitted to the AKCF Fund (To be opened)
For More Information on Capacity Building on Enhancing Resilience to Forest Fire, and Local Livelihood and Market Linkages
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ICT for Adaptation to Climate Change and Forest Fire Management in the Mekong Region Main Achievement
1 Technical Working Group with 15 meetings conducted
Establishment of Forest Fire Management and Control Rooms
Participants in Forest Fire Awareness Campaigns *
ICT-based Forest Fire Management System Development
*These Forest Fire Management Awareness Campaigns targeted government officials and local community members in Cambodia, including activities conducted under the AKCF, SAFE, and MLC projects.
Reference: Project Implementation Results Presentation AFoCO/037/2023
For more information on the projects related to ICT for Adaptation to Climate Change and Forest Fire Management in the Mekong Region
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