Rome, 18 June 2025 – Forest and land fires are no longer just local or regional issues—they have evolved into global threats that undermine biodiversity, accelerate climate change, and disrupt food security across continents. Against this backdrop, the first-ever Plenary of the Global Fire Management Hub, held from 10 to 12 June 2025 at FAO Headquarters in Rome, stood as a critical moment for international collaboration in Integrated Fire Management (IFM).
This high-level event gathered experts, practitioners, and decision-makers from around the world to forge a new path in wildfire governance. More than a forum for technical discussions, it focused on “connecting capacities”—building bridges between nations, organizations, and sectors to strengthen global resilience from early planning to on-the-ground action.
Among the key voices from Southeast Asia was Prof. Dr. Bambang Hero Saharjo, Professor at the Faculty of Forestry and Environment, IPB University, and Executive Director of the Regional Fire Management Resource Center for Southeast Asia (RFMRC-SEA). A well-known figure in the realm of fire prevention and environmental law enforcement, Prof. Bambang brought valuable insights drawn from Indonesia’s decades-long struggle against peatland and tropical forest fires.
From Response to Prevention: A Paradigm Shift in Fire Governance
Prof. Bambang underscored the urgency of shifting from reactive to preventive approaches. He emphasized that many countries are still caught in a “firefighting” mentality—responding only when fires break out—rather than building systems for early detection, strict law enforcement, and post-fire rehabilitation.
“We cannot remain reactive while fires grow out of control. Prevention must be strengthened—through legal enforcement, education, and empowering local communities,” he asserted.
He also addressed the lack of accountability faced by perpetrators of forest burning, calling for strong legal sanctions as both deterrence and justice. In addition, Prof. Bambang emphasized the importance of ecosystem restoration, warning that neglected burnt areas risk becoming future hotspots and suffering further degradation, erosion, and climate vulnerability.
Fire Hub: A Global Platform for Resilient Futures
Launched in 2023 by FAO and UNEP, the Global Fire Management Hub, or Fire Hub, was designed as a collaborative platform to support countries in building capacity for Integrated Fire Management (IFM). Rather than a reactive mechanism, the Hub serves as a nexus of science, policy, and grassroots experience—bridging the gap between knowledge and action.
The Hub’s work focuses on five strategic pillars:
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Knowledge and data sharing across nations and institutions;
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Capacity building at technical and institutional levels;
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Empowerment of fire-resilient communities;
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Risk assessment and early warning systems;
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Policy support and cross-sectoral coordination.
For countries like Indonesia—where wildfires intersect with complex socio-economic and land tenure dynamics—the Fire Hub’s approach is especially relevant. Prof. Bambang’s contributions highlighted how global strategies must adapt to local realities, balancing enforcement with community engagement.
Bridging Science, Tradition, and Innovation
One of the Fire Hub’s strengths lies in its inclusive and cross-sectoral approach. Wildfires are not only technical challenges but also social, cultural, and political phenomena. The Hub therefore seeks to integrate scientific research, traditional knowledge, and policy innovation to build solutions that are holistic and durable.
Prof. Bambang emphasized the importance of learning across cultures and systems:
“We believe in collaboration that respects not only modern science but also the wisdom of indigenous communities and practitioners on the ground. The world must learn from one another, because fire knows no borders.”
A Long Road to Global Resilience
As climate change, deforestation, and land-use pressures increase wildfire risks globally, the Global Fire Management Hub Plenary 2025 is more than a conference—it is a collective commitment to action. Through nine plenary sessions and nine side events, delegates laid the foundation for a more connected, adaptive, and proactive global fire governance system.
Prof. Bambang’s presence at the event reinforced Indonesia’s position as a key player in the global wildfire management architecture. With decades of field experience, academic rigor, and bold advocacy for environmental law, he gave voice not only to his country, but also to the millions of hectares of tropical forest facing the threat of fire each year.
Conclusion
The Global Fire Management Hub Plenary 2025 reminds us that wildfires are a global challenge that demands global solutions. In a world increasingly threatened by fire, cross-border collaboration, interdisciplinary learning, and shared responsibility are the only way forward.
Because fighting fire is not just the job of firefighters—it is the duty of all humanity.
More on the event’s agenda: FAO Fire Hub Plenary 2025 Agenda