The Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), in collaboration with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Royal Forest Department (RFD) of Thailand, successfully launched the 3rd Training of Trainers on Forest Fire Suppression (TOTFFS) on January 26, 2025, in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. This two-week program, running until February 6, brings together 19 participants from AFoCO Member Countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand) and 9 trainers from France, Republif of Korea, and Thailand. The training integrates theoretical sessions and hands-on exercises to strengthen forest fire suppression capabilities and foster regional cooperation.

Building on the success of the 1st and 2nd Training of Trainers programs held in 2023 and 2024, this 3rd TOTFFS offers a more advanced and refined curriculum based on lessons learned from the previous training programs. Jointly organized by AFoCO, French MOFA, and RFD of Thailand, the program represents a significant step toward improving AFoCO Member Countries forest fire management capacities and addressing climate change-induced challenges.
The opening ceremony featured remarks by Dr. Yeongjoo Lee, Head of the AFoCO Regional Education and Training Center (RETC), who emphasized the program’s goals and importance. Additional remarks were delivered by Mr. Jean-Michel Dumaz, Regional Attaché from the French Embassy in Singapore, and Mr. Surachai Achalaboon, Director General of the Royal Forest Department, both of whom congratulated the participants and highlighted the critical need for effective forest fire management.
The training covers essential topics such as forest fire behavior analysis, the application of prescribed burning techniques, and the use of GIS and remote sensing technologies for forest fire management. Participants will engage in theoretical lectures, hands-on field exercises, and scenario-based training to develop practical skills and enhance their readiness to address forest fire challenges.
This program also serves as a cornerstone for the AFoCO Forest Fire Management in Asia (FFMA) Initiative, which seeks to strengthen regional collaboration and capacity-building in forest fire management. As a newly launched initiative, FFMA aims to reduce forest fire risks, promote sustainable forest management, and enhance the resilience of AFoCO Member Countries to climate change. The knowledge and experience gained through this training will significantly contribute to the initiative’s success and serve as valuable assets for its ongoing implementation.
Forest Aviation Headquarters, Korea Forest Service
The collaborative efforts of AFoCO, France, and Thailand in organizing this program exemplify the importance of international partnerships in tackling shared challenges such as forest disasters. Additionally, this training lays the groundwork for two more forest fire training programs scheduled later this year. Over the next two weeks, participants are expected to strengthen their expertise and generate meaningful outcomes that will advance regional forest fire management efforts.
Submitted by Kiwon Kim, Assistant Program Officer, Capacity-Building and Evaluation Team