Brasília, December 10 – With a strong call to action, the first Regional Workshop of the Technical Working Group of the Amazon Network for Integrated Fire Management (RAMIF) began today at the headquarters of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO). This meeting, which will run until December 12, brings together delegates from member countries and marks a significant step forward in combating the wildfires threatening the Amazon biome.
Established in 2023 as part of the commitments outlined in the Belém Declaration, RAMIF aims to foster effective regional cooperation through sustainable practices and preventive strategies. Held in a hybrid format, this workshop focuses on developing a joint operational protocol, a regional training program, and a communication strategy to raise awareness of the impacts of fire on the Amazon.
An Innovative Model to Protect the Amazon
In the opening ceremony, ACTO Secretary-General Martin von Hildebrand emphasized the importance of this collective effort. “We are building an innovative regional model focused on prevention and integrated fire management. This workshop represents the beginning of a necessary shift to protect the Amazon and the communities that depend on it,” he said.
Ecuador’s Ambassador to Brazil and RAMIF President, Carlos Velástegui, highlighted the alarming increase in wildfires in 2024, which rose by 150% compared to the previous year. “This workshop not only facilitates the exchange of experiences but also serves as a platform to design concrete responses to the challenges we face. Our goal is to strengthen member countries’ capacities and ensure a coordinated response by 2025,” he stated.
Franziska Tröger, First Secretary for Sustainable Development and Forests at the German Embassy in Brazil, stressed the importance of international cooperation in this initiative. “RAMIF is a robust example of tackling a global challenge. We are committed to supporting strategies that combine technology, scientific knowledge, and local practices in fire management,” she emphasized.
Shared Challenges, Joint Solutions
According to ACTO data, the Amazon region faces increasing wildfire frequency and intensity, driven by deforestation and extreme droughts. Carlos Salinas, ACTO’s Environmental Coordinator, stressed the urgency of coordinated action. “Wildfires are a persistent threat, but with a regional strategy, we can mitigate their impact and strengthen our preventive capacities,” he said.
During the workshop, representatives from member countries will present their recent experiences, while thematic panels will address technical capacity building and the promotion of social changes necessary for sustainable fire management.
The event is supported by the CoRAmazonia project, reaffirming the international commitment to protecting the Amazon biome.
International Commitment and Next Steps
The results of this workshop will be essential in defining RAMIF’s next steps, including a second meeting in Ecuador in 2025. This collective effort positions the Amazon as a central topic in global climate change debates, particularly in the lead-up to COP30 in Belém.
