"The development of dedicated policies and implementation strategies can make forest fire management efforts more effective and efficient. We are committed to strengthen our capacity for co-ordinated response to combat forest fire, and welcome the OSCE's assistance in this regard," said Zahid Hasanov representing the State Fire Protection Service of Azerbaijan's Emergency Situations Ministry, reports Trend. Mr Hasanov was talking at a fire management training in Baku.
Another speaker at the opening of the trainings, Emmanuel Huntzinger, the Head of the Economic and Environmental Unit at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office in Baku stated: "Due to increasing number of emergencies in the region related to extreme weather and as a result of climate change, expected prolonged droughts, forest fires are expected to occur more often."