India’s Resolution Adopted at UNEA

Context:

At the 7th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 7) held in Nairobi, Kenya, India’s resolution titled “Strengthening the Global Management of Wildfires” was formally adopted with broad support from Member States.

Rationale Behind the Resolution:

- - In recent years, wildfires have evolved from seasonal and localized events into large-scale, recurrent disasters affecting multiple continents. This shift is driven by climate change (rising temperatures and prolonged droughts), altered land-use patterns, and human activities.
  - Citing the UNEP report “Spreading Like Wildfire”, India highlighted alarming projections indicating that global wildfire incidents could increase by 14% by 2030, 30% by 2050, and 50% by 2100 if current trends continue.

Key Features of the Resolution:

Area	Key Provisions
International Cooperation	Sharing early-warning systems and wildfire risk assessment tools using science and technology
Proactive Prevention	Shift from reactive fire suppression to planning, risk reduction, preparedness, and ecosystem resilience through Integrated Fire Management
Community Action	Promotion of community-based alert systems; capacity building and training for policymakers, forest managers, and local communities
Knowledge Sharing	Exchange of best practices, scientific research, and traditional knowledge; enhanced institutional collaboration
National & Regional Planning	Support for integrated fire management strategies aligned with regional resilience goals
Finance & Technical Support	Improved access to climate and environmental finance, technology transfer, and capacity building for developing countries

Global Implications:

Wildfires are increasingly recognised as a global climate risk, exacerbated by climate change and unsustainable land practices. The resolution strengthens multilateral cooperation to manage cross-border wildfire threats and aligns wildfire governance with global commitments under frameworks such as the UNFCCC and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Significance for India:

- - Leadership in Environmental Governance: Reinforces India’s proactive role in shaping global environmental policy.
  - Alignment with Domestic Priorities: Supports national disaster management and climate adaptation strategies amid rising wildfire risks.
  - South–South Cooperation: Emphasises equity, technology transfer, capacity building, and accessible finance for developing countries.

Conclusion:

The adoption of India’s resolution at UNEA 7 marks a significant step in global environmental cooperation. By promoting international collaboration, early-warning systems, knowledge sharing, and integrated fire management, the resolution enhances global resilience to wildfire risks while supporting sustainable development, climate adaptation, and ecosystem protection.