International Day of Forests
Celebrating & raising awareness of the importance of all types of forests
Theme for 2025: Celebrating forests and foods
In 2025, forests and foods is the theme for the day, celebrating the crucial roles of forests in food security, nutrition and livelihoods. In addition to providing food, fuel, income and employment, forests support soil fertility, protect water resources, and offer habitats for biodiversity, including vital pollinators. They are essential for the survival of forest-dependent communities, particularly Indigenous Peoples, and contribute to climate change mitigation by storing carbon.
How will you mark the day?
- Enter the Forest and Foods photo contest
- Share the video, forest fact animations, logo and banners - available in multiple languages. Check out the International Day of Forest social media kit for more resources
- Join the conversation on social media using the #ForestDay hashtag. Pass on some of this year's key messages or take a photo of your favourite forest and share online
- Organize or join events celebrating forests: tree plantings, symposiums, art exhibitions, photo competitions or host a student debate
- Don’t forget to tell the organisers about it at IDF@fao.org and send photos to be added to the gallery of events happening around the world.
More info here:
International Day of Forests | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (fao.org)
Background
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.