The Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) has been advancing the Forest Fire Management in Asia (FFMA) Initiative in response to the rapidly increasing risks of forest fires across Asia driven by climate change. During its three-year Pilot Phase, AFoCO conducted regional Training of Trainers (TOT) programs in Thailand, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan, strengthening the field response capacities of Member Countries and establishing a foundation for regional cooperation and knowledge sharing.
Building on these achievements, AFoCO officially declared the launch of the FFMA Main Phase (2026–2030) at the 13th Session of the AFoCO Assembly held in October 2025. The Main Phase aims to establish a comprehensive five-year regional cooperation framework covering suppression, prevention, preparedness, and recovery, while integrating field-based capacity building, advanced technologies, policy alignment, and higher education and research collaboration.
As part of this strategic transition, AFoCO officially commenced the 4th Training of Trainers on Forest Fire Suppression in Tropical Forest (TOTFFS) on 19 January 2026 in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. This marks the first flagship operational activity of the FFMA Main Phase. The training is being implemented in collaboration with the Royal Forest Department (RFD) of Thailand, while the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MOEFA) and the Korea Forest Service (KFS) participate as core partners of the FFMA Initiative.
For this program, a total of nine (9) expert trainers from French MOEFA, KFS, and VALABRE have been deployed to lead curriculum design, lectures, field instruction, safety management, and simulation-based training throughout the two-week course. The two-week program, running from 19 to 30 January 2026, brings together 22 forest fire officers and practitioners from five (5) AFoCO Member Countries. These participants were selected as future trainers who will lead national forest fire suppression training and contribute to regional cooperation upon their return home.
Opening Ceremony in Kanchanaburi: Marking the Official Launch of the FFMA Main Phase
The Opening Ceremony brought together representatives from Thailand, France, and the Republic of Korea, symbolizing a shared commitment to collective action against the escalating threat of forest fires in Asia. The event signified not only the start of a training program, but the official operational launch of the FFMA Main Phase (2026–2030).
Mr. Patpong Samittipat, Deputy Director General of the Royal Forest Department of Thailand (RFD), delivered welcoming remarks on behalf of the host government. He emphasized that forest fires transcend national borders and require a coordinated regional response. Highlighting key technical elements of the course, such as fire behavior analysis, prescribed burning, and the use of GIS and remote sensing he described the participants as a core group entrusted with the responsibility to train future firefighters in their respective countries. He reaffirmed Thailand’s continued contribution to the Mekong region and climate action, and formally declared the 4th TOTFFS.
Mr. Vincent Pairault, Civil Protection Attaché of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MOEFA), emphasized that this course represents the first official activity of the FFMA Main Phase. He noted that climate change is making forest fires more frequent and complex, and stressed the need for a system-based approach integrating prevention, preparedness, and response. He also reaffirmed France’s continued commitment to the FFMA partnership and encouraged participants to actively share experiences and apply lessons learned in the field.
Mr. Park Kwangbok, Team Leader of the Forest Aviation Head Quarters under the Korea Forest Service (KFS) reaffirmed Korea’s role as a core strategic partner of the FFMA Initiative. He highlighted the importance of field-based, safety-first training and introduced Korea’s efforts to integrate modern technologies such as satellite monitoring and real-time data analysis into forest fire management. He pledged continued technical cooperation and wished all participants a safe and productive training experience.
Technical Focus: Science, Practice, and Safety
The training integrates scientific understanding with practical field application. Participants are learning about fire behavior characteristics in tropical forest ecosystems, including how weather, terrain, vegetation, and human activities influence fire spread. They are also receiving instruction in GIS and satellite-based fire monitoring, early detection, and post-fire assessment techniques. In parallel, hands-on training covers fireline construction, cross-fire tactics, and prescribed burning under controlled conditions. Simulation-based exercises and real-world field drills are being conducted in tropical forest and plantation landscapes around Kanchanaburi, with strong emphasis on safety protocols, teamwork, and standardized operating procedures.
Regional Knowledge Sharing and Country Presentations
As part of the program, participants from Bhutan, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Viet Nam, and Thailand presented their respective country profiles, including national forest conditions, fire characteristics, and recent wildfire trends. The session highlighted both ecological and institutional diversity across the region, while underscoring common challenges such as climate change, land-use pressures, and increasing fire risks. Through mutual learning, participants deepened regional understanding and strengthened the foundation for cooperation.
FFMA Alignment and Regional Impact
As the first flagship activity of the officially launched FFMA Main Phase, this program contributes to strengthening regional forest fire management networks, promoting cross-border knowledge exchange, and enhancing technical and operational standards among AFoCO Member Countries. Through this training, a comprehensive training module for fire suppression in tropical forest is expected to be developed, along with a policy-oriented report containing lessons learned and recommendations for national and regional strategies. By fostering a network of trained trainers across Member Countries, the program is expected to enhance a more coordinated and resilient forest fire response system in Asia.
Toward Safer Forests and Stronger Regional Preparedness
The 4th TOTFFS represents a significant milestone in deepening cooperation among the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Korea Forest Service, and AFoCO Member Countries. AFoCO expressed sincere appreciation to the Royal Forest Department of Thailand (RFD) for its hospitality and leadership in hosting this training. Deep gratitude was also extended to French MOEFA and the Korea Forest Service for their continued cooperation and technical support, which have played a critical role in advancing the FFMA Initiative.
Moving forward, AFoCO will continue to implement practical and inclusive capacity-building programs under the FFMA Main Phase, contributing not only to forest fire management but also to the protection of forests, biodiversity, and communities across Asia.
Submitted by Kiwon Kim, Program Officer, Capacity-Building and Evaluation Team