International Day Of Forests 2023: Theme, History And Importance

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests in 2012 to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns.

The organizers are the United Nations Forum on Forests and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with Governments, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and other relevant organizations in the field.

According to the UN website, “Forest sustainable management and their use of resources are key to combating climate change, and to contributing to the prosperity and well-being of current and future generations.”

Theme:

The theme for each year is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests. The theme of the International Day of Forests for 2023 is ‘Forests and health.’ The theme for this year highlights the connection between forests and health.

According to the UN website, forests contribute a lot to an individual’s health, ranging from purifying the water, cleaning the air, and capturing carbon fighting climate change, providing food and life-saving medicines, and improving well-being.

This year calls for giving, not just taking, because healthy forests will bring healthy people.

History:

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in its 61st session, on December 20, 2006, declared 2011 as the International Year of the Forests. The decision was taken to raise awareness about the conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests in relation to global warming and poverty eradication and development.

The resolution was followed by the UNGA’s adoption of the International Day of Forests, on December 21, 2012.