Country: Cyprus Source: UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Representatives from across the Euro-Mediterranean region, alongside Arab Member States from beyond the Mediterranean basin, convened in Paphos this week for the 3rd Euro-Mediterranean High-Level Workshop on Fire Risks, strengthening regional cooperation to address increasingly severe and complex wildfire risks. The workshop was led by the European Union, in partnership with the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the PPRD Mediterranean Programme, bringing together civil protection authorities, policymakers, technical experts, and international partners. The participation of Arab countries from outside the Mediterranean basin marked a significant step in expanding cooperation beyond the traditional Euro-Mediterranean focus, reflecting the growing recognition that wildfire risks are increasingly transboundary and interconnected across regions. Opening remarks emphasized the urgency of addressing wildfire risks through strong ministerial leadership, coordinated policy frameworks, and sustained investment across the full disaster risk management cycle. Speakers also highlighted the importance of strengthening the link between response and recovery, ensuring that post-fire reconstruction contributes to long-term resilience and reduced future risk. Mr. Joan Borrell, UfM Deputy Secretary General said: “Wildfire risks are evolving rapidly under the impact of climate change, requiring stronger regional cooperation, coordinated preparedness, and sustained investment across prevention, response, and recovery. ” From isolated events to cascading risk systems Across the workshop, participants underscored a fundamental shift in how wildfire risks must be understood and addressed. Climate change is driving more frequent, intense, and unpredictable fire events, with impacts extending far beyond immediate damage. During Session 3 on Integrated Wildfire Risk Management, Anticipation and Early Warning, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office for the Arab States emphasized the need to move beyond event-based approaches toward a systems understanding of risk. Representing UNDRR, Ms. Rania Hammad highlighted that wildfires are part of cascading risk dynamics, where impacts unfold over time and across sectors. “Wildfires are no longer isolated seasonal events, they are systemic risks with cascading impacts on people, infrastructure, economies, and ecosystems. The challenge today is not only understanding risk, but translating that knowledge into anticipatory action. ” She further stressed that risk must be understood through the interaction of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability, and that increasing climate pressures are intensifying these dynamics across both Mediterranean and Arab regions. UNDRR called for a systems-based, multi-hazard approach that connects data, planning, and decision-making processes, moving beyond siloed responses toward integrated risk management. Strengthening prevention and risk reduction Under Pillar I – Prevention and Risk Reduction, discussions focused on integrated approaches to wildfire management, including landscape-scale forest management, fuel reduction strategies, and the role of community engagement in reducing risk. Participants highlighted the importance of combining scientific knowledge, climate information, and local practices to strengthen prevention efforts, while also investing in public awareness and behavioral change. UNDRR emphasized that effective prevention requires not only technical solutions, but also risk-informed governance systems and stronger linkages between data and policy. Advancing early warning and anticipatory action A key focus of the workshop was the role of multi-hazard early warning systems in wildfire risk management. Building on its global work under the Early Warnings for All initiative, UNDRR highlighted the importance of connecting: Risk knowledge Monitoring and forecasting Communication systems Early action mechanisms Participants stressed that early warning systems must be people-centered, ensuring that warnings are understood, trusted, and acted upon. UNDRR also underscored the importance of risk data and analytics, noting that improved data systems are essential to: Identify risk hotspots Track losses and damages Inform anticipatory action and financing Preparedness and operational readiness Under Pillar II – Preparedness and Capacity Building, the workshop explored how countries can strengthen readiness before wildfire events occur. Discussions covered preparedness planning, simulation tools, digital modeling approaches, training exercises, and lessons learned from recent wildfire seasons. Participants emphasized the need for interoperability across systems, coordination between civil protection and meteorological services, and the establishment of clear triggers for action. The example of the Cyprus Regional Aerial Firefighting Station (CRAFS) was highlighted as a model for regional cooperation, showcasing how shared resources and coordinated planning can enhance response capacity. UNDRR reinforced that preparedness is not a single intervention, but a continuous cycle linking data, planning, coordination, and action. From response to recovery resilience Under Pillar III – Response and Recovery, discussions focused on operational coordination, crisis management, and post-fire recovery. Participants examined the importance of: Real-time situational awareness Coordination across national and international actors Integration of aerial and ground response systems Effective communication in complex emergency environments A key message emerging from the discussions was the need to strengthen the connection between response and recovery, ensuring that recovery processes: Restore essential services Reduce future risk Support long-term resilience Building partnerships and scaling solutions The workshop also featured an interactive “marketplace” session, where participants presented proposals for multi-country cooperation projects, highlighting opportunities for joint initiatives and funding mechanisms, including EU programmes and international partnerships. Across all sessions, participants emphasized that addressing wildfire risks requires strong partnerships, coordinated action, and sustained investment. UNDRR highlighted the importance of regional platforms such as this workshop in enabling: Knowledge exchange Policy alignment Joint action across regions A shared path forward As wildfire risks continue to intensify across both the Mediterranean and Arab regions, the workshop reaffirmed the need to move from knowledge to action. UNDRR concluded by emphasizing that while tools and knowledge are available, the key challenge remains: Connecting data to decisions Linking early warning to early action Translating partnerships into implementation Participants agreed that “The goal is clear: to reduce risk, protect lives and livelihoods, and build resilient communities. This requires stronger collaboration, integrated approaches, and sustained investment across the entire risk management cycle. ” Themes Climate change Early warning Risk identification and assessment Country and region Cyprus
Cyprus: Euro-Mediterranean partners strengthen cooperation on wildfire risk management and preparedness
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