Ifrane Model Forest Represents the Network at the Workshop on Integrated Fire Management in Rabat
The Workshop on Integrated Fire Management: Good Practices and Knowledge Sharing in the Near East and Mediterranean Countries took place from February 12 to 15, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco. Organized by Silva Mediterranea and FAO’s Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (FAO RNE), in collaboration with Morocco’s National Agency of Water and Forestry (ANEF), the event gathered key stakeholders to enhance regional collaboration and knowledge exchange on fire management strategies.
As part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), the workshop focused on building capacities in fire management and post-fire restoration, providing a platform to review the NENFIRE Five-Year Roadmap for Integrated Fire Management (2024–2029). Participants shared best practices for restoring fire-affected landscapes and visited key sites showcasing Morocco’s advancements in post-fire restoration.
Abdelkrim Marzouk, President of the Ifrane Model Forest, represented the Mediterranean Model Forest Network (MMFN) at the event. He engaged with representatives from the International Global Fire Hub, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in tackling the increasing challenges posed by wildland fires, particularly in the context of climate change.
The workshop also featured field visits, including one to Tangier province, where participants observed ANEF’s techniques and strategies for restoring fire-damaged forest ecosystems. Another visit took place at the National Center of ANEF for Fire Detection and Response in Rabat, which collaborates with local universities as an early-warning system and serves as a coordination hub for emergency fire response efforts.
