Celebrating forests for sustainable development

Forests are essential for the survival of people everywhere. They nurture us, inspire us and shelter us. They are also at the heart of sustainable development. In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly declared 21 March as the International Day of Forests to "celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests and of trees outside forests". A wide range of special events will be launched during the month of March, to celebrate the International Day of Forests 2014 -- My Forest | Our Future.

For more information: www.un.org/esa/forests

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Featured in this video:

- Thomas Gass, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, UN DESA

- Eduardo Rojas-Briales, Assistant Director-General and Head of Forestry, FAO

- Ana Pineda, Spain

- Evan List, USA

Footage from the photo exhibit opening "My Forest -- Our Future" at the Gabarron Foundation in New York, as well as from award winning films of the International Forest Film Festival, including "Ma Forêt" by Sébastien Pins and "Amaxing Grace" by Rowan Pybus.

© 2014 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs