Every year on the International Day of Forests the World celebrate the ways in which forests and trees sustain and protect the planet. This year FAO is raising awareness of how forests are key to the planet’s supply of freshwater, which is essential for life… Find out more on the International Day of Forests... The Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Director of the UN Forum on Forests Secretariat' messages... Videos... humid tropical forests of the Congo Basin great green heart of Africa ... Celebrate with us...

Celebrating forests and water

Every year on the International Day of Forests we celebrate the ways in which forests and trees sustain and protect us. This year we are raising awareness of how forests are key to the planet’s supply of freshwater, which is essential for life. FInd out more...

Secretary-General’s Message on the International Day of Forests: He warns two thirds of global population could face water-Stressed conditions within Next Decade… In this first year of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the International Day of Forests focuses on their role in supporting water systems... Investing in forests is an insurance policy for the planet…, He call on governments, businesses, civil society and other partners to adopt holistic policies and practices to protect, restore and sustain healthy forests for our common future. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on this International Day of Forests... Download the Message in French and English

Director of the UN Forum on Forests Secretariat, Manoel Sobral-Filho says “Forests are the planet’s water towers, providing 75% of the freshwater that is used in our homes, farms, and industries”…

FAO

♦ How much do you know about forests and water?

♦   How will you mark the day?

♦  Events

Video: International Day of Forests 2016  

Forests are vital to our water supply. They influence how and where rain falls, and they filter and cleanclean our water. By protecting the world’s forests, we are also protecting the clean water that we depend upon for our survival. Find more...

International Day of Forests gallery

See how people around the world are celebrating the International Day of Forests, and send us photos of your event at idf@fao.org or submit them directly online.

UNFF

Every year, the Forum secretariat holds special events to celebrate the International Day of Forests at United Nations Headquarters in New York which attract participation from representatives of Member States, regional organizations, members of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and non-governmental organizations. The special events are also webcast live by United Nations Web TV and tweeted live. In 2014, the live webcast engaged a global audience of more than 5,000 viewers.

Forests and Water Sustain Life and Livelihoods

he theme of the 2016 International Day of Forests is “forests and water”. To mark the Day, a joint celebration of the International Day of Forests and World Water Day will be held on Monday, 21 March 2016 (10:00 to 13:00) in the Economic and Social Council Chamber, UNHQ, New York. The event entitled “Forests and Water | Sustain Life and Livelihoods” will raise awareness of the interconnections between forests and water, and their contributions to implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The UNFF Secretariat and UN-Water are organizing the event, in collaboration with the Government of Sweden.

• 21 March 2016, UNHQ Event Programme
• UN Secretary-General’s Message for the International Day of Forests
• Factsheet on Forests and Water

FInd out more... UNFF