The Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), in collaboration with the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MOEFA) and the Korea Forest Service (KFS), officially launched the Forest Fire Management in Asia (FFMA) Initiative on 29 October 2025, during the 13th Session of the AFoCO Assembly in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
This milestone marks the transition of FFMA from its pilot phase (2023–2025) to a full-scale implementation (2026–2030). The initiative reflects the joint commitment of AFoCO, France and Republic of Korea to strengthen regional capacities for forest fire prevention, suppression, and management while advancing sustainable forest management and climate resilience across Asia.
From Agreement to Partnership: Advancing Regional Cooperation
The FFMA Initiative was first piloted in 2023 and later formalized through the Letter of Intent (LOI), signed on October 30, 2024, during the 11th Session of the AFoCO Assembly. This agreement marked the beginning of a structured, tripartite collaboration among AFoCO, Korea, and France, establishing an official framework for coordinated regional efforts in forest fire management.
Following the 1st Project Steering Committee Meeting on September 22 2025, which endorsed the Five-Year Work Plan (2026–2030), the official launching ceremony was convened alongside the 13th AFoCO Assembly to celebrate the Initiative’s transition from pilot to full-scale operation.
Ceremony Highlights and Key Remarks
The launching ceremony brought together distinguished delegates from AFoCO Member Countries, partner institutions, and representatives of the Governments of France and Republic of Korea. The ceremony featured congratulatory remarks from the Minister of the Korea Forest Service, the Deputy Ambassador of French Embassy in the Republic of Korea, and the Executive Director of AFoCO.
Dr. In-ho Kim, Minister of Korea Forest Service, reaffirmed Korea’s commitment to working with AFoCO and France to strengthen regional collaboration. He noted that Korea’s ICT-based forest-fire management systems and France’s long-standing operational expertise would create strong synergy through the FFMA Initiative.
“FFMA embodies our shared vision to strengthen Asia’s capacity for forest fire prevention and management. Together, we will foster the next generation of experts equipped with the technology, skills, and passion to protect our forests and communities.”
Mr. Bertrand JADOT, Deputy Ambassador of French Embassy in the Republic of Korea, emphasized that FFMA represents a tangible result of the strong partnership between France, Korea, and AFoCO under France’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. He highlighted the initiative as a model of practical cooperation that fosters shared expertise and joint capacity building across Asia.
“When nations join forces, practical solutions to complex challenges emerge. France will continue to support AFoCO and its Member Countries through expertise, capacity building, and education, to help shape a safer, greener, and more resilient Asia.”
Dr. Chongho Park, Executive Director of AFoCO, expressed that the FFMA launch builds on AFoCO’s decade of experience in fostering regional cooperation and capacity development. He introduced FFMA as an integrated cooperation platform that links training, research, and policy exchange to deliver practical outcomes for Member Countries.
“Today’s launch is more than a project, it is a shared commitment to protect Asia’s forests and communities. Through FFMA, AFoCO will strengthen human resources, expand policy linkages, and deliver tangible results that contribute to sustainable forest management across the region.”
FFMA at a Glance (2026–2030)
The FFMA Initiative serves as a comprehensive cooperation framework that integrates education, research, and policy collaboration to enhance forest fire resilience in Asia.
Over the next five years, AFoCO will train more than 500 forest fire management experts and practitioners across all Member Countries, strengthening their ability to respond to the growing challenges of climate induced forest fires.
- Research & Governance: Collaborative research and policy exchanges connecting regional universities, training centers, and institutions to share best practices.
- Training Programs: Two-week Training of Trainers courses and six-week advanced programs conducted in France and Republic of Korea to enhance operational and technical capacities.
- Educational Programs: Joint degree pathways and specialized short-term programs designed to develop professional expertise in forest fire management.
AFoCO’s Role in Driving Regional Cooperation
Through the FFMA Initiative AFoCO, working closely with France and Republic of Korea, will lead the establishment of a comprehensive cooperation framework covering all phases of forest fire management. By combining advanced technology with field-based training, AFoCO aims to foster knowledge transfer, enhance research collaboration, and institutionalize effective fire management systems across Member Countries. Building on the achievements of the pilot phase, FFMA will expand practical training and demonstration activities in designated countries, while advanced courses will continue in France and Republic of Korea. The Initiative also aligns closely with AFoCO’s strategic programs such as the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF) and the Mekong-Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF), ensuring synergy and broader regional impact.
Paving the Way for Forest Fire Management Cooperation in Asia
The official launch of the FFMA Initiative marks a new chapter in AFoCO’s efforts to strengthen regional preparedness and resilience against forest fires. By bridging science, technology, and policy through multilateral cooperation, AFoCO is setting a new benchmark for international collaboration in forest fire management. Through the FFMA initiative, AFoCO and partners are working to protect Asia’s forests, reduce the impacts of climate change, and foster resilient ecosystems that will benefit future generations.
Submitted by Kiwon Kim, Program Officer, Capacity-Building and Evaluation Team