India’s Resolution on ‘Strengthening the Global Management of Wildfires’ adopted at UNEA-7, in Nairobi

India's resolution on 'Strengthening the Global Management of Wildfires' was today adopted at the 7^th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi, Kenya. The resolution, moved by India, received wide support from Member States, reaffirming global recognition of the urgent need to address the rising threat of wildfires worldwide.

India underlined that wildfires have emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges globally. The resolution aimed at strengthening international cooperation and coordinated action for wildfire management. It highlighted that regions across the world are witnessing a steady rise in the number, scale and intensity of wildfires, which were once limited to seasonal occurrences. Wildfires have now become frequent and prolonged, driven largely by climate change, rising temperatures, extended droughts, and human activities.

Each year millions of hectares of land are affected by fires, causing enormous destruction to forests, biodiversity, water resources, soil health, air quality, and livelihoods. Wildfires also release significant greenhouse gases, weaken carbon sinks, and heavily impact forest-dependent communities and national economies.

India drew attention to UNEP's global report 'Spreading Like Wildfire', which warns that wildfires may rise by 14% by 2030, 30% by 2050 and 50% by 2100, if current trends continue. These projections, India stressed, make it clear that wildfires represent a long-term, climate-driven global risk requiring urgent coordinated international action. India emphasized a call for a shift from a reactive response to proactive prevention, through better planning, early-warning and timely risk reduction measures.

The global approach, India stated, is now moving towards Integrated Fire Management, anchored in early warning systems, risk mapping, satellite-based monitoring through collective efforts of local communities and frontline personnel. India underscored the critical role of UNEP in helping countries strengthen wildfire adaptation, develop integrated fire management strategies, and undertake ecosystem restoration. The Global Fire Management Hub, established in 2023 by FAO and UNEP was acknowledged as a key mechanism for supporting international efforts.

Key Provisions of India's Resolution

The resolution aims to reinforce ongoing global activities under the Global Fire Management Hub and calls for:

• Strengthened International Cooperation: Development of early warning systems, risk assessment tools, and satellite- and ground-based ecosystem monitoring, besides promotion of community-based alert mechanisms.

• Enhanced Regional and Global Collaboration: Mechanisms supporting prevention, post-response recovery, and ecosystem restoration.

• Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building: Creation of platforms for best practices, along with training and capacity-building programmes stakeholders.

• Support for National and Regional Action Plans: Assistance to Member States in developing and implementing integrated fire management and wildfire resilience strategies.

• Facilitating Access to International Finance: Support to Member States in preparation of project proposals to access funding through multilateral mechanisms and results-based schemes.

India reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with UNEP, Member States, and international partners to strengthen global preparedness, prevention, and resilience in the face of escalating wildfire risks.

*****

VM