As UN delegates discuss Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) this week, an exhibit celebrating the multi-faceted connections of forests and people is being opened. Co-organized by the United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat in UN DESA and the Gabarron Foundation, the exhibition is on view from 5 to 28 February at the Carriage House of Arts in New York City.

The exhibit features 21 evocative images, finalists from the first UN International Forest Photograph Awards. An opening reception will take place today, on Wednesday, 5 February from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. To attend, please RSVP to forests@un.org and RSVP@gabarron.org.

Forests are at the heart of sustainable development and the photographs highlight the many faces of forests – from a portrait of tree planting by Kenyan local communities to scenic vistas in Turkey and Indonesia, and from urban escapes in Ukraine to stunning indigenous beauty in Colombia.

In total, 426 entries from 39 countries competed to win the first-ever International Forest Photograph Award. Young students vied with professional nature photographers to showcase personal and often extraordinary perspectives of their local forests. An international jury of lauded photographers and industry experts announced the top 21 photographs in recognition of the first International Day of Forests on 21 March 2013.

The six winning photographs are by Atakan Baykal of Turkey, Eka Fendiaspara of Indonesia, Riccardo Gangale of Italy, Olga Lavrushko of Ukraine, Prasetyo Nurramdhan of Indonesia, and Pablo Pro of Spain. The jury further awarded nine Honourable Mentions and six Special Acknowledgments.

The exhibition is open to the public until 28 February, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.