Journée internationale des forêts 2024

International Day of Forests

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. #IntlForestDay

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.

You can find more info at this link:

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.

Events

International Day of Forests Photo Contest

Enter the International Day of Forests Photo Contest! Help to show how innovative action, technology and knowledge are helping to protect forests and increase the benefits they bring by entering the International Day of Forests 2024 photo contest! Deadline for entries is 7 March 2024, 12:00 CET.

Help us show how innovative action, technology and knowledge are helping to protect forests and increase the benefits they bring by entering the International Day of Forests 2024 photo contest!

Forests provide many benefits and solutions including ecosystem services, biodiversity, climate action, livelihoods, shelter, food, fibre and fuel. Yet they are under threat from deforestation, climate change, pollution, wildfires and pests.

To celebrate the International Day of Forests on 21 March and this year’s theme of Forests and Innovation, the goal is to take the best photos showcasing different types of innovation:

• new technology – for example drones or other digital tools helping to monitor illegal logging.
• new uses of sustainable wood, such as wooden credit cards, skyscrapers or drink bottles.
• the results of a ground-breaking policy or project or a new way of using Indigenous knowledge.