Date: Sunday, 21 March 2021; 9th Anniversary.
Sponsor: United Nations
Facilitator: United Nations Forum on Forests;
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Objective: To celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests.
Inception: International Day of Forests was observed for the first time on March 21, 2013.
Initially, a proposal to establish “World Forestry Day” on March 21 was 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 officially declared 21 March of each year the International Day of Forests, by the resolution A/RES/67/200.
How to celebrate the Day
Learn, share, and actions!
Since 2013, states, organizations and communities are 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. A range of 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.
Each year a specific theme relevant to forests is proposed to raise awareness and promote innovative actions. The theme for each International Day of Forests is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.
Annual theme in recent years:
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