Rabat – The National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized an international workshop on integrated forest fire management and innovative solutions in this field on Wednesday in Rabat.
This workshop, which continues until February 15, is part of the ANEF’s international cooperation program, initiated in partnership with the FAO Committee responsible for Mediterranean forestry issues (Silva Mediterranea) and the Network of Forest Fires for the Near East and North Africa (NENEFIRE).
Aiming to establish a knowledge-sharing platform to discuss the challenges related to forest fire management, explore innovative solutions, and promote best practices, the meeting also emphasizes Moroccan initiatives and those of other member countries, particularly regarding the restoration and rehabilitation of forests post-fire.
Additionally, the workshop marks the first official gathering of the NENEFIRE network, chaired by Morocco, with the presence of representatives from the international network (Global Fire-Hub), specialized in combating forest fires.
Speaking on this occasion, the Director General of ANEF, Abderrahim Houmy, indicated that this conclave, which involves more than 18 Arab and Mediterranean countries, is part of a program aimed at creating a network among all countries concerned with fire risk management.
This event provides an opportunity to exchange experiences and initiate collective reflection on forest fire management, which poses a threat to natural resources and local populations, he emphasized, noting that this initiative will allow for the sharing of Moroccan experience, which has made significant progress, enabling Morocco to occupy a prominent position in forest fire management.
For his part, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Mohammed Al-Hiyari, highlighted the importance of this workshop, which allows for benefiting from Morocco’s expertise, particularly the early warning system that effectively contributes to fire fighting, thanks to the use of satellites, and which represents a roadmap for intervention from the very first moments of a fire, thus reducing the devastating effects of flames on vegetation cover.
For her part, the senior official for environmental and forestry programs at the FAO regional office for the Near East, Fidaa Haddad, warned that fires are becoming increasingly frequent in the region, adding that despite the relatively limited area affected, these fires have significantly impacted local communities, the economy, and ecological systems.
She continued that this workshop was an opportunity to share Morocco’s expertise and best practices in fire management and the preservation of forest areas.
The program of this event includes, in particular, a field visit scheduled for Thursday in the province of Tangier, where participants will have the opportunity to closely observe the techniques and strategies adopted by ANEF to restore and enhance affected forest ecosystems.
This workshop underscores the importance of international cooperation and the commitment of countries in the region to address the growing challenges posed by forest fires, in a context marked by climate change. It also aims to strengthen local capacities to ensure sustainable and resilient management of forest ecosystems in the face of socio-economic and environmental challenges.