Türkiye has unveiled a major new initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s defences against climate change and wildfires. The $400 million Climate-Resilient Forestry Project, developed in partnership with the World Bank, was formally announced by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumaklı during the International Workshop on Enhancing Cooperation for Integrated Forest Fire Management, held in Ankara on June 16.
Describing it as “one of the most comprehensive and strategic projects in the history of Turkish forestry,” Minister Yumaklı said the initiative will cover 7 million hectares across 14 provinces, directly or indirectly benefiting around 7 million people.
Climate Crisis and the Need for Resilience
Minister Yumaklı stressed the growing urgency of the climate crisis, highlighting wildfires as a global threat with serious social, economic, ecological, and strategic impacts. “This highlights the importance of international collaboration, information sharing and experience exchange,” he said.
Türkiye has emerged as a regional leader in wildfire response, with heavy investment in AI-based decision systems, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and public awareness campaigns. The new forestry project expands this leadership by focusing not just on fire prevention but also on building long-term forest resilience.
Key Project Components
- Climate-adapted tree species will be introduced, supported by new genetic labs and biobanks.
- Forest schools will be established to educate young people on environmental stewardship.
- A new digital radio communication system will be rolled out to ensure uninterrupted emergency response across all 14 target provinces.
- Support packages will benefit 16,500 households affected by recent earthquakes, with an emphasis on micro-enterprise funding for women to boost local economic participation.
Fast and Equipped Fire Response
Yumaklı highlighted Türkiye’s rapid advancements in wildfire intervention. Average response time has dropped from 40 minutes to just 11 minutes over the past two decades.
The country now fields its largest-ever aerial firefighting fleet, consisting of:
- 27 firefighting planes
- 105 helicopters
- 14 UAVs
- Access to 4,796 fire pools and reservoirs
In addition, the OTAĞ aircraft, designed for in-field coordination, has been fully integrated into Türkiye’s operational fire management system.
On the ground, 25,000 personnel, 1,786 fire trucks, and 2,742 initial response vehicles will be on duty for the 2025 fire season.
International Collaboration and Future Events
The ministry confirmed that European Forest Week will be hosted in Istanbul from October 20–24, 2025. Following the celebration, Türkiye will also host an international event focused on wildfire preparedness and innovative forest technologies.
Forestry Director General Bekir Karacabey praised the collaboration with the World Bank, noting its value in shaping more effective, internationally-informed forest strategies. “Diverse perspectives on fire management will help us build stronger, more resilient forests for the future,” he said.
With its blend of technology, education, climate science, and community support, the new initiative marks a bold step in Türkiye’s commitment to sustainable forestry and disaster preparedness.
Source: Daily Sabah
