FRAMEWORK PRESENTED BY AGIF RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT AT THE 8TH EDITION OF THE CONFERENCE ON FIRE

1600 PEOPLE FROM MORE THAN 90 COUNTRIES PARTICIPATED IN THE LARGEST WORLD CONFERENCE ON FIRE, IN PORTO

Around 1600 people attended the 8th edition of the International Wildland Fire Conference (IWFC), whose theme was “Governance Principles: Towards an International Framework”.

At this conference, the Agency for Integrated Rural Fire Management (AGIF) announced a framework for rural fire governance, which received broad support from participating countries such as the United States of America, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and Spain, among others.

Over four days, the city of Porto received around 200 speakers and experts (decision makers, operational managers and technicians) from around the world in fire prevention and suppression, from more than 90 countries. During these days there were several moments of sharing knowledge and experiences, in favor of communities and nations more protected against the growing threat of fires.

To better prepare societies to achieve sustainable development goals and ensure lower losses from fires, the technical and scientific community that attended this 8th IWFC supported the Landscape Fire Governance Framework that contributes to a global-scale approach to fire management, in which they advocate the involvement of governments, companies, academia and members of civil society in balanced and technically supported solutions, strengthening institutional and international cooperation.

“With this Conference, we intend to achieve an international commitment to governance guidelines that will enable countries to better manage fire risk. We are all working together to propose to the United Nations a tool, a work map, with guidelines so that all nations can contribute to reducing the impact of fires”, stresses Tiago Oliveira, President of the Agency for the Integrated Management of Rural Fires ( AGIF).

In the message he sent to the participants of the Conference, the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, refers that “it is undeniable that the forest is one of the most valuable resources of a nation. The presence of thousands of specialists in this event proves the commitment of several nations with the sustainable management of the forest. Unfortunately, we have witnessed, globally, the devastating impact of fires, on an environmental and socio-economic level. Governance and its comprehensive approach is a crucial factor in tackling fires. It is essential that there is a governance model based on a long-term vision, which must endure beyond political cycles”.

“I believe that we are stronger if we join forces. Common strategies, policies and management practices will enable every nation to go further and become stronger to face the global threat of wildfires. This conference brought us a tremendous amount of information that will allow us to manage expectations, uncertainties, and ultimately transform fire governance”, says Gordon Sachs, President of the International Liaison Committee (ILC).

8th International Wildland Fire Conference by numbers:

1600 participants
200 speakers
90 participating countries
65 sessions
45 exhibitors
12 sponsors
2000 m2 of exhibition area

For the organization of the event, Portugal had the support of institutional partners, namely the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) of the United Nations, OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), Forest Europe (Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe), International Wildland Fire Association and European Forest Institute. Also present were the directors of UNEP, the US Forest Service (USA), IBAMA (Brazil), Conaf (Chile), Australia, among others..

For more information visit the website: https://pt.wildfire2023.pt/