Global celebration of forests
21 March has been declared as the International Day of Forests by the United Nations General Assembly
This new global celebration of forests builds on the successes of the International Year of Forests in 2011, and provides a platform to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests and of trees outside forests.
Activities expected to take place on the International Day include tree-planting and other community-level events, and national celebrations including art, photo and film as well as social media outreach.
The launch of the International Day will take place in many countries. Mr. Wu Hongbo, Under-Secretary-General of DESA, along with Chinese government officials, will be launching the International Day of Forests in China at a ceremony in Beijing on 21 March.
International Day of Forests tree planting celebration in China with UN DESA Under-Secretary-General Wu Hongbo (left) Minister of China's State Forestry Administration Zhao Shucong and UNFF Director Jan McAlpine (right).
DESA's United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) Secretariat was designated by the General Assembly to facilitate the implementation of the International Day, in collaboration with FAO, Governments, and other members of the Collaborative Partnerships on Forests and international, regional and subregional organizations as well as relevant stakeholders, including civil society.
The UNFF Secretariat has been working with the UN Graphic Design Unit to develop a logo for the International Day, which will be launched in time for the first celebration of the Day this year on 21 March. In addition, a mobile App on Forest facts, as well as other social media products will be launched by the UNFF Secretariat on the International Day of Forests.
How will you celebrate the International Day of Forests?
Governments, international, regional and sub-regional organizations, and relevant stakeholders are encouraged to share information on their planned activities for the International Day of Forests by contacting the UNFF Secretariat at forests@un.org.
International Day of Forests Resolution
International Day of Forests: resolution adopted by General Assembly resolution on 21 December 2012 (A/RES/67/200) [ Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish ]
 The International Day press release
The Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon message on the International Day
UN chief, marking International Day, urges greater protection for world's forests
China's International Day of Forests web site
China's photos and press release from the International Day of Forests celebration with UNFF Director Jan McAlpine
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