Rome - Iran and Russia have agreed to deepen cooperation on sustainable forest management, forest restoration and wildfire prevention, with the two sides also discussing measures to facilitate timber imports from Russia.

 

Iran’s Deputy Agriculture Minister and head of the Forests, Range and Watershed Management Organization, Reza Aflatooni, held talks with a Russian delegation on the sidelines of the 28th Session of the FAO Committee on Forestry (COFO28).

 

The talks focused on joint efforts in sustainable forest management, forest development and restoration, integrated wildfire management, and the development of early warning systems for forest-fire risks.

 

The two sides also discussed ways to facilitate timber imports from Russia and expand bilateral cooperation in the forestry sector.

 

The Russian delegation welcomed Iran’s draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) on forestry cooperation. Under an agreement reached at the meeting, Iran will submit the final draft to Russia, with the two sides expected to proceed with its signing as soon as possible.

 

Aflatooni and the Russian delegation also emphasized the need to tap the two countries’ technical and professional capacities to strengthen forest protection, restoration and sustainable management, while enhancing joint efforts to prevent and combat forest fires.