International Day of Forests

The International Day of Forests, designated 21 March annually by United Nations General Assembly resolution, is a global observance coordinated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Forum on Forests, and partner governments and NGOs to raise awareness of forests' critical roles in climate mitigation, economic development, and ecosystem services. Rather than a single conference, the observance is marked through distributed events and symposia organized worldwide by governments, NGOs, and private organizations. The 2026 observance theme—"Forests and Economies"—highlights how forests underpin livelihoods for over 1.6 billion people globally and deliver essential ecosystem services including water regulation, carbon sequestration, soil protection, and biodiversity support. Organizations organize symposia, workshops, and webinars addressing forest restoration, zero-deforestation commitments, debt-for-nature financing, community reforestation, and integrated forest governance. The United Nations hosts a dialogue at UN Headquarters in New York on 24 March 2026, convening senior officials and experts to explore forest stewardship and sustainable economies.