2011- International Year of Forests

To enhance efforts in order to promote sustainable management, conservation and development of forests worldwide, the UN General Assembly on 20 December 2010 adopted a resolution declaring the year 2011 as the International Year of Forests.

Throughout 2011 World Wildlife Fund (WWF’s) Living Forests Campaign will combine cutting edge science, new perspectives from partners and decades of on-the-ground experience to help answer questions on sustainable development of forests. 2011 will be used to ensure Living Forests for generations to come. The International Year of Forests will raise awareness and promote global action to sustainably manage, conserve and develop all types of forests. The United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat is expected to serve as the focal point for the implementation of the International Year of Forests.

Forests are an integral part of global sustainable development and forest-related economic activities affect livelihoods of 1.6 billion people worldwide. Forests provide socio-cultural benefits and are the foundation for indigenous knowledge as well.