The International Day of Forests is celebrated annually on March 21. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 to raise awareness about the importance of forests and their role in sustaining life on Earth. This day serves as a platform to highlight issues related to forest conservation and their significance for sustainable development, climate change mitigation, and biodiversity preservation.5

The theme for International Day of Forests 2025 is "Forests and Food", which aims to highlight the crucial role of forests in food security, nutrition, and livelihoods.

Forests provide food, medicine, and livelihoods for billions of people. Over five billion people worldwide rely on forest products, both timber and non-timber, for food, medicine, and daily sustenance. Forests and trees are rich sources of nuts, fruits, seeds, tubers, leaves, mushrooms, honey, wild game, and insects, all of which contribute essential nutrients to human diets.

Global and National Initiatives for Forest Conservation

1. United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030)

   • This initiative aims to restore 350 million hectares of degraded ecosystems, including forests, by 2030.
   • The program includes various actions such as tree planting and the adoption of innovative technologies for sustainable forest resource management.

2. REDD+ Program(Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation)

   • An international initiative to combat deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries.
   • It supports projects that focus on forest conservation and restoration to reduce carbon emissions.

3. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (adopted in 1992)

   • A global treaty aimed at preserving biodiversity, including forest ecosystems.
   • Key measures include:
     • Protection of rare and endangered species in forests.
     • Ecosystem restoration and promotion of sustainable forest management.
     • Involvement of indigenous and local communities in forest conservation.

4. Forest Stewardship Council(FSC)

   • An international non-profit organization that certifies forests worldwide.
   • FSC promotes sustainable forest management based on environmental, social, and economic standards.
   • Key goals:
     • Ensuring food security by providing local communities with access to natural resources.
     • Promoting responsible consumption of wood and forest products through certification.

5. Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA)

   • A global multi-sector initiative uniting governments, private companies, and civil society to protect tropical forests in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
   • Main objectives:
     • Developing sustainable supply chains for products like palm oil, soy, coffee, and cocoa.
     • Collaborating with major corporations to implement sustainable production practices.
     • Finding solutions to minimize the impact of resource exploitation on forests.

6. Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF)

   • A World Bank initiative that helps countries reduce carbon emissions through forest conservation and restoration.
   • Provides funding for developing nations to implement effective forest protection and restoration programs.

National Forest Conservation Initiatives

Many countries implement their own initiatives to protect forests and ecosystems:

• Brazil: The "Green Amazon" program focuses on protecting the Amazon rainforest and restoring degraded ecosystems.
• Indonesia: The government promotes sustainable forest management and fights against illegal logging.
• Canada: A national forest restoration strategy has been implemented to strengthen forest ecosystems.
• Russia: Several federal programs are in place for forest restoration and ecosystem improvement, including:
  • The National Forest Restoration Program.
  • The "Ecology" National Project, which includes measures for forest fire safety, improved forest health, and ecosystem restoration.
  • The "Conservation of Russia's Forests" program, aimed at stabilizing forest ecosystems and mitigating climate change.

Official Event Broadcast

The official event for International Day of Forests 2025 will include discussions and presentations on global and national efforts to preserve and restore forests, as well as the role of forests in food security and sustainable development.