Innovative Steps for the Future of Forests: Sustainable Solutions Discussed at Istanbul Forest Innovation Week

Organized under the leadership of the Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture, in collaboration with FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and UNFF (United Nations Forum on Forests), the Istanbul Forest Innovation Week brought critical issues to the agenda such as sustainable forest management, disaster response, climate change adaptation, and digital forest technologies.

Throughout the event, experts, academics, and industry representatives from around the world — led by the Istanbul Gelisim University Technology Transfer Office (IGU TTO) — shared their knowledge and experience through panels, workshops, exhibitions, and technical field visits.
New Horizons in Digital Forest Technologies and Disaster Management
Within the program, the role of advanced technologies in combating forest fires, the adaptation of forests to climate change, and the concept of the “digital forest” were discussed from multiple perspectives.

Participants explored the effectiveness of innovative technologies in forest management through case studies and presented concrete examples of how academic research can contribute to sectoral transformation.
Technology-Focused Collaboration Between IGU TTO and the General Directorate of Forestry (OGM)
During the event, the Istanbul Gelisim University Technology Transfer Office (IGU TTO) met with the technical team of the General Directorate of Forestry (OGM) to hold an in-depth discussion on early fire detection, fire spread prevention, and response technologies.
The discussions particularly focused on the applicability of innovative solutions in forest fire management, including:

Fire spread analysis
UAV-supported monitoring systems
Early intervention methods using autonomous aerial vehicles
AI-assisted risk mapping models

From Theoretical Knowledge to Social Benefit: IGU TTO’s Strategic Vision
IGU TTO’s participation in this event demonstrated that the institution is not limited to academic knowledge production; it is also dedicated to transforming this knowledge into social benefit and establishing strong collaborations within the forest and environmental technologies ecosystem.

With its goal of developing and integrating technological solutions for forest fire management into the field, IGU TTO continues to contribute to sustainable environmental policies.