The Wildfire-Resilient Landscapes Network was launched at a reception attended by His Majesty King Charles III, on 30 November 2023 ahead of the start of COP28 in Dubai.

The network brings together Indigenous and scientific knowledge to demonstrate how to create resilient landscapes that address the increasing challenge of wildfires in fire-prone areas around the world. The network will build on the success of the Australian traditional fire management (TFM) that combined with innovative scientific methodologies has led to valuable economic, social and cultural benefits for remote Indigenous communities in northern Australia. 

“Reigniting Indigenous fire management practices is an opportunity to share our knowledge with the world, to secure all of our futures and bring us together.” - Cissy Gore-Birch, from ISFMI

The new network will be established under the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance together with the Commonwealth Secretariat. It will be coordinated through partnerships with the International Savanna Fire Management Initiative (ISFMI) and FIRE-RES.

“The Commonwealth looks forward to contributing to this timely collaboration on wildfire resilience. Our climate work is rooted in knowledge sharing – from helping vulnerable countries unlock critical access to climate finance to climate-related capacity development and the promotion of climate-resilient and sustainable land management.” - Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC

The initiative will also work with the finance industry to develop innovative financial tools to support the transition to resilient landscapes. The founding of the network was inspired by The King’s interest in linking Australia’s Indigenous fire experts with Canadian experts to share best practices following Canada’s most recent fire season.

ISFMI and its partners look forward to supporting the network to empower Indigenous communities around the world to revitalise their fire management practices for the benefit of communities, biodiversity and global goals for climate action.