UN observed International Day of Forest

21 March: International Day of Forest

International Day of Forests was observed across the world on 21 March 2014. The theme of the International Forest Day was Celebrating Forests for Sustainable Development.

To celebrate the theme, UN held a Panel discussion on Women as agents of change for forests and sustainable development with inspiring speakers from forest heroes to film makers, as well as award-winning short films.

UN also celebrated the day by conducting activities like tree-planting and other community-level events, and national celebrations including art, photo and film as well as social media.

The International Day of Forests is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of all types of forests and trees to our economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being. The day is observed to acknowledge the vital role of forests and pledge to work together to protect and sustainably manage these vital ecosystems.

Background

United Nations adopted the resolution to celebrate 21 March as International Day of Forest on 21 March 2012 and observed the first International Day on Forest on 21 March 2013. The observance of 21 March every year as International Day of Forest follows from the International Year of Forest, 2011.

The United Nations (UN) declared 2011 to be the International Year of Forests vide a resolution adopted by the UN on 20 December 2006. 2011 was also declared by UN as the International Year for People of African Descent, International Year of Youth and International Year of Chemistry.

2011 was declared as the International Forest Year to celebrate the importance of forests in everyday life, to raise awareness and strengthen the sustainable forest management.

Prior to the International Day of Forests, there were two closely related international commemorations: World Forestry Day (established in 1971 by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization), and Forest Day (convened by the Center for International Forestry Research from 2007-2012).