International Day of Forests 2024

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests in 2012. The Day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. On each International Day of Forests, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree-planting campaigns. As a global hub for environmental governance, Geneva and the organizations it hosts, play a role in the protection of forests globally. #IntlForestDay

International Day of Forests

International Forests Day Website

2024 Theme ‘Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World’

Innovation and Technology have transformed countries’ to monitor and report on their forests. 13.7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide forest emission reductions or enhancements have been reported to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, thanks to innovative and transparent forest monitoring.

With 10 million hectares of forest lost to deforestation and approximately 70 million hectares affected by fires annually, technological innovations are needed for early warning systems for fires and forest loss, and to enable sustainable commodity production.

Technological innovations can empower Indigenous Peoples through mapping and securing customary land. They are custodians of much of the world’s remaining intact forests, and mapping and securing customary lands and enabling access to climate finance can help ensure their crucial role in biodiversity conservation and carbon storage.

Key Messages

Importance of Forests and the Role of Geneva

As a global hub for environmental governance, Geneva and the organizations it hosts, plays a role in the protection of forests globally.

Importance of Forests and the Role of Geneva

Events