FAO and Morocco’s Water, Forest Agency Unite to Tackle Wildfire Challenges

ANEF Director described the workshop as an opportunity to consolidate cooperation among countries that are susceptible to wildfire danger.

Rabat – The National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) brought together officials and experts in Rabat on Wednesday for an international workshop on forest fire management.

The workshop, running through February 15, focuses on creative solutions and transboundary coordination to address wildfire threats.

Organized in collaboration with the FAO’s Mediterranean Forestry Committee (Silva Mediterranea) and the Near East and North Africa Wildland Fire Network (NENEFIRE), the workshop serves as a platform for discussions on fire prevention, response strategies, and post-fire rehabilitation.

With Morocco presiding over NENEFIRE, the forum is also the network’s first official meeting, drawing participation from more than 18 Arab and Mediterranean countries.

ANEF Director General Abderrahim Houmy described the workshop as an opportunity to consolidate cooperation among countries that are susceptible to wildfire danger.

“This initiative helps us share knowledge and build a network that enhances collective responses to forest fires,” he said in his remarks at the forum. Houmy recalled the progress Morocco has made in prevention and response to fires, becoming a top country in the region.

Mohammed Al-Hiyari, Secretary-General of Jordan’s Ministry of Agriculture, also spoke at the event, pointing to Morocco’s early warning system as a model for the region.

“The use of satellites allows for swift intervention, reducing the destruction caused by fires,” he noted.

For her part, Fidaa Haddad, a senior FAO official specializing in environmental and forestry programs, warned of the increasing numbers of wildfires.

“Even when the burned areas remain limited, the damage to communities, economies, and ecosystems proves significant,” she said.

As part of the program, participants will also take a tour of Tangier province to observe ANEF’s forest restoration efforts.

The workshop elevated the importance of international cooperation and enhanced regional capacities to address wildfire risk, particularly given the increasing threat from climate change.