Advanced, science-based expertise is increasingly essential to complement field-level firefighting capacity, as forest and peatland fires grow more frequent and severe across Asia due to climate change, land-use change, and prolonged dry seasons. Addressing these challenges requires practitioners who can apply scientific tools and methods to fire risk forecasting, prevention, suppression, and post-fire ecosystem recovery.
In this regard, AFoCO, in collaboration with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MOEFA), the Korea Forest Service (KFS), and PSL University (EPHE-PSL), is pleased to invite Member Countries to the “2026 AFoCO FFMA Science and Technology Exchange Partnership (STEP) Program,” scheduled for 26 October to 4 December 2026 in France.
Organized under the FFMA Initiative, the program will combine academic instruction, laboratory work, and field-based practical sessions to strengthen advanced technical and research capacities in forest fire management. The program will focus on fire behavior analysis and modeling, risk forecasting, prevention and suppression strategies, and post-fire ecosystem restoration. The training is open to AFoCO Member Countries, with each country encouraged to nominate one (1) participant.
The countries are requested to STRICTLY FOLLOW the nomination criteria:
◎ English Proficiency: Sufficient command of English to participate fully in an international training course conducted in English.
◎ Professional Relevance: Professional background and experience relevant to forest fire management, prevention, or related disaster risk fields.
◎ Role Suitability: A current position and responsibilities that would allow the candidate to benefit from and apply the knowledge and skills gained through the Program.
To facilitate preparations, we kindly request that all nominations, together with the Nomination Form (Attachment-2) and the candidate’s CV and passport copy, be submitted to Kiwon Kim (Email: [email protected], Tel: +82-2-785-1683) by 25 September 2026.