The keynote lecture, “Fostering Fire Resilience in a Changing Climate through the Shared Heritage of Humanity,” was presented by Juan Cusanero Elías, a member of the Kaqchikel Maya community from Guatemala. He addressed the topic from a philosophical to a practical perspective, emphasising the cosmogonic view of fire, its integrated management, the involvement of stakeholders with specific roles, collective management, and traditional governance.
Additionally, specialists and community representatives from Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Botswana, Chile, Croatia, Egypt, Spain, the United States, France, Guatemala, Malaysia, Peru, South Africa, Suriname, Uganda, Uruguay, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela participated.
The launch of the guide marked the beginning of a pilot project supported by UNESCO’s Heritage Emergency Fund. This project will be implemented at the Valparaíso World Heritage Site and in Los Alerces National Park in Argentina, where the guide’s recommendations will be adapted as part of a comprehensive strategy to mitigate risks and strengthen local capacities.