On October 30, 2024, AFoCO Secretariat hosted a significant milestone in enhancing Asia’s forest fire resilience. As a central facilitator, AFoCO played a pivotal role in formalizing this collaborative effort through a Letter of Intent with Korea and France, aiming to build a more comprehensive forest fire prevention and management framework across 15 AFoCO Member Countries. This tripartite agreement represents a key advancement in AFoCO’s mission to strengthen regional capacity for sustainable forest management and climate resilience.
The signing ceremony gathered key officials, including Dr. Lim Sang-seop, Minister of the Korea Forest Service; Mr. Philippe Bertoux, French Ambassador to Korea; and Dr. Park Chongho, Executive Director of AFoCO Secretariat, along with representatives from AFoCO Member Countries. This agreement establishes a foundation for cooperative action in forest fire prevention, firefighting, research, and technology exchange, underscoring AFoCO’s commitment to address the pressing challenges of climate-induced forest fires in partnership with leading global experts.
Specialized Programs for Strengthening Forest Fire Expertise by 2030
Under this agreement, AFoCO will organize specialized training, degree, and research programs in forest fire management for AFoCO Member Countries, to be completed by 2030. These programs will combine Korea’s advanced forest fire response technologies with France’s extensive expertise. The goal is to provide participants with practical, field-based knowledge that is essential for strengthening forest fire resilience across Asia. To support this initiative, AFoCO has been testing prototype training programs since 2023 in collaboration with the Republic of Korea and France.
AFoCO Executive Director: “A Vital Alliance for Asia’s Forest Resilience”
In his welcoming remarks, AFoCO Executive Director Dr. Park Chongho highlighted the partnership’s importance, stating, “This agreement is a crucial step in bolstering Asia’s resilience against the rising threat of climate-induced forest fires. By aligning with AFoCO’s mission, it strengthens our regional capacity for comprehensive fire prevention, swift response, and effective recovery. This collaboration, born from the collective needs of our member countries, empowers AFoCO to foster resilient forest ecosystems and protect communities across Asia.”
France’s Commitment to Collaborative Forest Fire Management
French Ambassador Mr. Philippe Bertoux expressed France’s commitment to the partnership, highlighting France’s extensive experience in managing forest fires both in Europe and tropical regions. He noted that this collaboration with AFoCO and Korea would enable France to share its expertise, supporting capacity-building across Asian countries. He emphasized that this partnership aligns with France’s longstanding dedication to forest preservation and reinforces AFoCO’s shared mission to reduce disaster risks and foster sustainability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Korea’s Vision for Leading Asia in Forest Fire Prevention
Dr. Lim Sang-seop, Minister of the Korea Forest Service, emphasized the importance of AFoCO as Korea’s most valued partner among international organizations, acknowledging AFoCO’s role in bridging Korea with AFoCO Member Countries. He highlighted Korea’s ICT-based disaster management systems and France’s extensive experience in forest fire management across diverse climates, noting that this partnership marks a unique collaboration to train skilled forest fire experts across Asian countries. Dr. Lim expressed hope that this initiative will further expand this cooperation in forestry and foster capable forest fire management professionals throughout the AFoCO Member Countries.
Looking Ahead: 2026-2030 AFoCO-Led Core Programs
Following the signing, AFoCO, together with Korea and France, will guide the implementation of three core initiatives from 2026 to 2030, aimed at strengthening forest fire resilience across Asia through practical support and capacity-building:
- Training Programs: A localized ‘Training of Trainers’ program will develop a network of forest fire suppression specialists across diverse environments, equipping them to share best practices region-wide.
- Educational Programs: Degree courses and specialized short-term programs will be offered, allowing participants to gain certification in forest fire management and build long-term resilience in AFoCO Member Countries.
- Research and Governance: By fostering innovative forest fire management solutions and governance structures, these programs will integrate the latest research and sustainable practices to support robust management systems across the region.
Key AFoCO Member Countries, including Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and Thailand, will host these programs, which will directly benefit local experts and strengthen forest fire management systems throughout Asia. Advanced-level training programs will be further conducted in the Republic of Korea and France.
Paving the Way for Forest Fire Management Cooperation in Asia
This agreement establishes a critical foundation for sustainable forest management across Asia countries, where forest fire risks are increasingly severe. As the central coordinating body, AFoCO, alongside Korea and France, will focus on protecting Asia’s forests, reducing the impacts of climate change, and fostering resilient ecosystems that will benefit future generations. Through this strengthened partnership, AFoCO is leading the effort to set a new standard in international forest disaster management, promoting sustainable forest conservation and resilience across the region.
Submitted by Kiwon Kim, Assistant Program Officer, Capacity-Building and Evaluation Team