Purpose: The International Day of Forests observed on 21 March aims to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Some 2.4 billion people use wood-based energy for cooking. Forests help mitigate climate change and improve soil, air and water quality. If sustainably managed, forests are also a source of renewable raw materials, making a crucial contribution to building circular economies. In light of these and many other reasons to respect and safeguard our forests, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests in 2012. Countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns.
FORUM: "Forests and Innovation." International Day of Forests 2024. Forests sustain us in countless ways – from clean air and water to food and medicine, income and livelihoods, and even sustainable fashion. Being near trees and forests can inspire creativity, reduce stress, and improve your mood. The world's forests cover nearly one-third of all land, providing carbon storage and biodiversity habitat while building our resilience to withstand storms and other natural disasters. Yet despite all that they provide us, forests are often undervalued, and every year we continue to lose ten million hectares of forests. Innovations in science and technology now make it possible for countries to use remote sensing, drone technology, and artificial intelligence to monitor the health of their forests for mapping and monitoring, tree planting, measuring carbon, and early wildfire detection. At the same time, innovative forest products provide sustainable alternatives for construction materials, textiles, and new types of plastic and medical products. Exploring the possibilities for forest products in building our greener future is limited only by the breadth of our imagination. This is why the theme of this year's International Day of Forests on 21 March 2024, is "Forests and Innovation". Learn more about FAO's work in forestry and make sure to catch FAO's key messages to mark the day. Follow the conversations #IntlForestDay, #SustainingForests, #21March, #ForestsandHealth.
EVENTS: AT UNHQ in New York - On March 21st; The DESA's UN Forum on Forests Secretariat will organize a special event to celebrate the International Day of forests 2024. The event will feature senior UN and government officials, technical experts, and civil society, all sharing their perspectives on how we can promote innovation to help the world's forests. It will highlight the importance of implementing the UN Strategic Plan for Forests and achieving the Global Forest Goals by 2030. Get the Provisional Programme and watch the live event!
AT FAO HQ - The International Day of Forests 2024 high-level event will be held on Thursday, March 21st, 2024 from 13.00 to 17.30 CET online and at the Sheikh Zayed Centre, FAO Headquarters, Rome under the theme “Forests and innovation” with a livestreamed session showcasing transformative forest innovations. Discussions will focus on how innovation and technology enhance forest monitoring, reporting, protection, restoration, and sustainable use. The need to scale up innovations to halt deforestation, and empower indigenous peoples as forest guardians, will also be explored to develop new solutions for a better world. Translation will be provided in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish and Russian. Watch the webcast!
PODCASTS : Conserving and sustainably using forests is one of the best ways of protecting our planet and ourselves. Healthy forests are vital for all aspects of a healthy planet, from livelihoods and nutrition to biodiversity and the environment, but they are under threat. Let’s start the conversation on the role of forests in safeguarding a healthy planet and healthy lives. Listen to the audio-podcats!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Ten million hectares of forest were lost every year to deforestation between 2015 and 2020. Insects damage around 35 million hectares of forest annually, and fire affected approximately 98 million hectares of forest globally in 2015. It’s up to us to safeguard these precious natural resources. Participate to the 2024 Campaign "Forests and Innovation"; Get the communication materials and social media toolkits!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
The International Day of forests celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests, with countries encouraged to undertake local, national, and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees to support sustainable forest management and ensure that the use, protection, and restoration of these resources remain a key ingredient to combating climate change. Likewise, forest management also stands to contribute to the prosperity and well-being of current and future generations, while also playing a crucial role in poverty reduction and in the achievement of the SDGs.
ACTIONS
Organize or join events celebrating forests: tree plantings, symposiums, art exhibitions, photo competitions or host a student debate
Plant trees to help restore our global forests.
PARTNERSHIPS
The International Day of forests is co-organized by the United Nations Forum on Forests, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO, the International Union of Forest Research Organizations and the IUFRO World Congress 2024, the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), in collaboration with Governments and other relevant organizations in the field.