3rd Euro-Mediterranean Workshop on Wildfire Risks Held in Cyprus

The 3rd Euro-Mediterranean Workshop on Wildfire Risks took place in Cyprus on 7–8 May 2026, co-organized by the European Commission, the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU and the Union for the Mediterranean. The workshop provided a high-level platform for strategic dialogue and technical exchange on strengthening preparedness, prevention, and response to wildfire risks and other climate-induced hazards across Mediterranean, Arab, and Gulf regions.

As the implementer of the PPRD Med – Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural and Man-Made Disasters in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries project, the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) provided support to the organization and implementation of the workshop.

Mr. Alexandre CUSTAUD, PPRD Med Team Leader, emphasized that “strengthening wildfire resilience across the Euro-Mediterranean region requires not only operational cooperation, but also the accelerated integration of advanced technologies, shared situational awareness, and long-term regional preparedness frameworks capable of addressing increasingly complex climate-driven risks.”

The event brought together representatives of civil protection authorities and wildfire experts from PPRD Med partner countries, EU Member States, Union Civil Protection Mechanism participating countries, the League of Arab States, Gulf Cooperation Council countries, as well as representatives of international organizations.

The workshop also included a high-level ministerial segment, reaffirming the political importance of regional cooperation in addressing the growing impact of climate change, extreme heat, droughts, and large-scale wildfire events.

Discussions focused on the increasing exposure of the Euro-Mediterranean region to large and fast-evolving wildfires, prolonged droughts, extreme heatwaves, and other compound climate-driven hazards. Participants exchanged views on how advanced and emerging technologies can support wildfire prevention, preparedness, and response, including space-based technologies, AI – artificial intelligence, early warning tools, and real-time situational awareness.

The workshop also addressed the importance of regional coordination and shared operational approaches. In this context, participants highlighted the important role of the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), and the EU’s new initiative to strengthen wildfire management in the region — the Cyprus Regional Aerial Firefighting Station (CRAFS).

 Participants reaffirmed their strong commitment to the launch of the next phase of PPRD Med. It was also noted that the programme could be expanded geographically and further enhanced, including through stronger support for volunteerism and improved management of marine incidents.

Through PPRD Med, ISTC continues to contribute to strengthening disaster risk management capacities, promoting regional cooperation, and supporting partner countries in enhancing preparedness and response to natural and man-made hazards.

Co-funded by the European Union. The contents of this post are the sole responsibility of ISTC and do not necessarily reflect the views of the EU.