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UNESCO conference in Chile addresses fire resilience for heritage sites affected by climate change

November 7, 2024

UNESCO conference addresses fire resilience and heritage protection

UNESCO is hosting an international conference in Valparaíso, Chile, from November 11 to 12, focusing on fire resilience for heritage in response to climate change.

As reported by UNESCO, the conference will highlight the increasing fire threats to cultural and natural heritage sites globally.

The event will bring together experts, policymakers, and community leaders to discuss the vital role culture can play in disaster resilience and fire risk mitigation.

The conference will also see the release of UNESCO’s “Fire Risk Management Guide for Cultural and Natural Heritage.”

This publication aims to equip stakeholders with strategies and case studies for fire prevention, mitigation, and response, providing practical tools for preserving heritage in fire-prone areas.

New global publication targets fire risk management for heritage sites

A central feature of the conference is the launch of the “Fire Risk Management Guide for Cultural and Natural Heritage,” described as the first global publication of its kind.

This UNESCO guide includes a range of strategies to help manage fire risks for heritage sites, drawing on international case studies and best practices.

This guide is intended to be a resource for policymakers, heritage professionals, and environmental groups, detailing approaches to prevent, mitigate, and respond to fires affecting cultural and natural sites.

The publication underscores the need for informed action as climate change exacerbates the vulnerability of heritage sites worldwide.

Inter-sectoral cooperation a key theme at Valparaíso conference

The two-day conference in Valparaíso aims to foster cooperation among various sectors, including cultural heritage, climate resilience, and disaster response.

UNESCO has emphasized that the forum will serve as a platform for examining past fire incidents and recovery efforts, with the goal of identifying actionable recommendations for future resilience efforts.

This collaboration among sectors is expected to generate a unified approach to fire risk management for heritage sites, taking into account cultural, environmental, and logistical considerations.

The Government of Chile is partnering with UNESCO in organizing the conference.

UNESCO strengthens fire management training in Rapa Nui

In a related initiative, UNESCO’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean recently held a fire management course on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Chile’s National Forest Corporation (CONAF).

Thirty-five members of the Indigenous Ma’u Henua community and local residents participated in the training, which included theoretical lessons and a simulated forest fire exercise.

The training covered key aspects of fire management, including topography, fuel types, and meteorological factors affecting fire behavior.

The course also included instruction on the Incident Command System (ICS) and forest fire response protocols.

“This course demonstrates our commitment to the Ma’u Henua community in preserving their cultural heritage,” said Pilar Vicuña, UNESCO’s Culture Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean.

UNESCO conference in Chile addresses fire resilience for heritage sites affected by climate change: Summary

UNESCO is organizing an international conference from November 11 to 12 in Valparaíso, Chile, focusing on fire resilience for heritage sites amid the growing impacts of climate change.

The conference aims to raise awareness of fire threats to cultural and natural heritage and explore the role of culture in building disaster resilience.

Attendees will include policymakers, heritage professionals, and community leaders, with discussions centered around UNESCO’s newly launched “Fire Risk Management Guide for Cultural and Natural Heritage.” The guide offers fire prevention and response strategies tailored to heritage sites, addressing the rising risks posed by climate change.

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