Date: Thursday, 21 March 2024; 11th Anniversary.
Coordinators: United Nations Forum on Forests;
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Objectives:
International Day of Forests is annually observed for the following purposes:
- To celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests and of trees outside forests.
- To strengthen the sustainable management, conservation, and development of all types of forests and trees outside forests.
- To promote concrete activities related to all kinds of forests and trees outside forests in regional, national, and local contexts.
Inception:
International Day of Forests was observed for the first time on March 21, 2013.
History:
A proposal supporting the establishment of World Forestry Day on March 21 of each year was initially made at the 16th session of the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization in November 1971.
From 2007 to 2012, the Center for International Forestry Research, in close cooperation with other members of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, convened a series of six Forest Days and an International Year of Forests (2011).
On 21 December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/67/200, officially declaring 21 March of each year the International Day of Forests.
How to observe International Day of Forests
Learn, share, and take action!
Since 2013, states, organizations, and communities have been encouraged to undertake efforts to organize local, national, and international campaigns and activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting, on International Day of Forests. Various educational and promotional events, including seminars, lectures, conferences, and social media campaigns, are also hosted to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests and trees outside forests.
The Collaborative Partnership on Forests proposes a specific theme relevant to forests each year to raise awareness and promote innovative actions.
Annual theme in recent years:
2024 theme: “Forests and Innovation.”
2023 theme: “Forests and Health.”
2022 theme: “Forests and Sustainable Production and Consumption.”
2021 theme: “Forest Restoration: A Path to Recovery and Well-Being”
2020 theme: “Forests and Biodiversity”
2019 theme: “Forests and Education”
2018 theme: “Forests and Sustainable Cities”
2017 theme: “Forests and Energy”
2016 theme: “Forests and Water”
2015 theme: “Forests. Climate. Change”
Official websites:
https://www.un.org/en/observances/forests-and-trees-day
https://www.fao.org/international-day-of-forests/en/
Leave a Reply