Excellencies,Distinguished Delegates,Ladies and Gentlemen,
Greetings to all from the United Nations Headquarters on this International Day of Forests!
On this annual celebration, we reflect on the many values of forests, and share our experiences on how forests and trees enrich our daily lives and communities the world over. Forests are among the world’s most productive renewable natural resources, providing many paths to sustainable development. They serve as a key driver of economic growth by providing livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people, particularly in rural areas.
This year’s theme, “Forests and Education”, is particularly timely. Education is a key enabler for any positive change, particularly when the change we seek is sustainable management of the world’s forests.
Quality education and lifelong learning are key benchmarks of Sustainable Development Goal 4, which will be reviewed in depth in July at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The interconnection of forests and education will also be explored by the UN Forum on Forests at its 14th session in May this year, when it discusses implementation of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2030. Setting out the global community’s ambitious vision for forests, the Strategic Plan includes a specific target for increasing forests worldwide by three per cent. So, it is no coincidence that this theme was selected for this year’s celebration.
Forest education plays a key role in promoting sustainable living and influences how we consume and produce forest goods. Forest education can span a wide spectrum, from formal, to informal approaches, playing a vital role in generating scientific knowledge, training forest managers, and in raising public awareness. As our societies evolve, so must our educational approaches – reflecting the changing demands on forests in each country and region.
Distinguished Delegates,
Throughout human history, forests and trees have served as outdoor classrooms, providing healthy space for learning and fostering environmental stewardship in children from an early age. Forests and trees are often the first image that comes to mind when you think of people’s connection to nature. Images of children and adults alike hugging a tree, are universal, no matter where you live. Thus, learning about forests and their sustainable management, reaps benefits not just for our natural environment, but for building the needed pathways towards sustainable livelihood and communities.
Let us share our success stories and look ahead to the future with optimism – hoping that the seeds of trees we plant today will grow and thrive to provide shelter and shade to future generations. Let us ensure that the knowledge we have gathered will inspire others to act to safeguard, nurture and grow all types of forests and trees. When we reach the signpost of 2030, we hope to be able to look back with satisfaction on all that we have achieved and galvanize the next generation to grow and sustain our planet’s forests, because life without them is inconceivable.Thank you.
Greetings to all from the United Nations Headquarters on this International Day of Forests!
On this annual celebration, we reflect on the many values of forests, and share our experiences on how forests and trees enrich our daily lives and communities the world over. Forests are among the world’s most productive renewable natural resources, providing many paths to sustainable development. They serve as a key driver of economic growth by providing livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people, particularly in rural areas.
This year’s theme, “Forests and Education”, is particularly timely. Education is a key enabler for any positive change, particularly when the change we seek is sustainable management of the world’s forests.
Quality education and lifelong learning are key benchmarks of Sustainable Development Goal 4, which will be reviewed in depth in July at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The interconnection of forests and education will also be explored by the UN Forum on Forests at its 14th session in May this year, when it discusses implementation of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2030. Setting out the global community’s ambitious vision for forests, the Strategic Plan includes a specific target for increasing forests worldwide by three per cent. So, it is no coincidence that this theme was selected for this year’s celebration.
Forest education plays a key role in promoting sustainable living and influences how we consume and produce forest goods. Forest education can span a wide spectrum, from formal, to informal approaches, playing a vital role in generating scientific knowledge, training forest managers, and in raising public awareness. As our societies evolve, so must our educational approaches – reflecting the changing demands on forests in each country and region.
Distinguished Delegates,
Throughout human history, forests and trees have served as outdoor classrooms, providing healthy space for learning and fostering environmental stewardship in children from an early age. Forests and trees are often the first image that comes to mind when you think of people’s connection to nature. Images of children and adults alike hugging a tree, are universal, no matter where you live. Thus, learning about forests and their sustainable management, reaps benefits not just for our natural environment, but for building the needed pathways towards sustainable livelihood and communities.
Let us share our success stories and look ahead to the future with optimism – hoping that the seeds of trees we plant today will grow and thrive to provide shelter and shade to future generations. Let us ensure that the knowledge we have gathered will inspire others to act to safeguard, nurture and grow all types of forests and trees. When we reach the signpost of 2030, we hope to be able to look back with satisfaction on all that we have achieved and galvanize the next generation to grow and sustain our planet’s forests, because life without them is inconceivable.Thank you.
File date:
Thursday, March 21, 2019