Canada pledges $10 million to FAO’s Global Fire Management Hub
Iain Hoey
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Canada pledges $10 million to FAO’s Global Fire Management Hub
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has reported that Canada will provide CAD 13.5 million (nearly $10 million) to the Global Fire Management Hub to strengthen international wildfire preparedness and ecosystem protection.
The pledge supports the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter, a joint initiative launched at last month’s G7 Summit in Canada.
The charter aims to improve global cooperation in responding to extreme wildfires, and Canada’s contribution will advance the Hub’s integrated fire management efforts.
Canada’s Associate Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Cindy Termorshuizen said the country’s leadership role in the charter reflects its commitment to global fire resilience.
The Global Fire Management Hub is coordinated by FAO alongside partner agencies including the UN Environment Programme and the Global Fire Monitoring Centre.
Support for global integrated fire management
The new funds will expand the Global Fire Management Hub’s work in supporting countries to shift from reactive fire suppression to proactive fire preparedness.
The FAO said the funding will enhance the capacity of governments and agencies to collaborate across jurisdictions and disciplines during wildfire events.
The Global Fire Management Hub focuses on coordination between science, policy and local action to reduce fire risk.
According to FAO Forestry Director Zhimin Wu, the funding will strengthen cooperation to minimise the economic and environmental effects of wildfire.
Wu said: “Wildfires adversely affect biodiversity, ecological services, human well-being and national economies, and can be especially devastating for developing countries.
“Canada’s support will help strengthen and enhance global collaboration to reduce the negative impacts of wildfires on livelihoods, landscapes and global climate stability.”
G7 summit drives international commitment
The Kananaskis Wildfire Charter was endorsed by all G7 leaders, as well as leaders from Australia, India, Mexico, South Africa and the Republic of Korea.
The charter aims to build international readiness for extreme wildfires through cooperative planning, data sharing and mutual assistance.
Cindy Termorshuizen said: “Wildfire seasons are becoming longer and more extreme, fuelled by climate change.
“The Global Fire Management Hub provides an important platform to coordinate international action in response to this trend, including strengthening global capacity for more proactive and effective integrated fire management.
“Canada’s leadership of the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter, launched by G7 Leaders and endorsed by international partners at the Kananaskis G7 Summit last month, is part of this effort.
“Canada is committed to working with the Global Fire Management Hub to better prevent, fight and recover from wildfires.”
Hub’s five-pillar approach to fire resilience
Canada’s funding supports the Global Fire Management Hub’s five strategic pillars: knowledge sharing, capacity building, community resilience, risk reduction and integrated policy development.
The FAO explained that the funding would also enable the creation of an Indigenous-led fire adaptation network.
This initiative is intended to support traditional knowledge in fire management and strengthen sustainable land use practices.
The Global Fire Management Hub was launched to coordinate the transition from reactive firefighting to preventive landscape management.
The Hub also works to build national and regional capability through early warning systems, education and training.
International mascot launched for fire awareness
Earlier this month, the FAO introduced ‘Pyra the Tiger’ as the public face of the Global Fire Management Hub.
The mascot was launched during the first Plenary of the Hub and is aimed at supporting community engagement around wildfire prevention.
The Global Fire Management Hub is jointly implemented by FAO, the UN Environment Programme, the Global Fire Monitoring Centre and other stakeholders.
In addition to Canada, the Hub is supported by France, Germany, Portugal and the Republic of Korea.
FAO said the Hub will play a role in reducing the 300 million hectares burned annually worldwide and preparing for the projected 50 percent increase in wildfires by the end of the century.
Canada pledges $10 million to FAO’s Global Fire Management Hub: Summary
Canada has pledged CAD 13.5 million to the FAO-hosted Global Fire Management Hub.
The funding supports the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter, agreed at the June 2025 G7 Summit.
The Global Fire Management Hub is a joint initiative of FAO, the UN Environment Programme and the Global Fire Monitoring Centre.
The pledge aims to improve international collaboration on wildfire preparedness and prevention.
The Hub’s work is guided by five strategic pillars focused on knowledge, capacity, resilience, risk and policy.
The funds will also contribute to an Indigenous-led fire adaptation network.
Cindy Termorshuizen, Canada’s Associate Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the funding supports proactive international fire management.
FAO Forestry Director Zhimin Wu said the contribution will help reduce the impacts of wildfires on climate and livelihoods.
The Global Fire Management Hub is additionally supported by France, Germany, Portugal and the Republic of Korea.
The FAO launched Pyra the Tiger as the mascot for the Hub during its first Plenary in July 2025.