2011, International Year of Forests

United Nations General Assembly declares 2011 as International Year of Forests

Forests are an integral part of global sustainable development: forest-related economic activities affect livelihoods of 1.6 billion people worldwide; they provide socio-cultural benefits and are the foundation for indigenous knowledge; and as ecosystems, forests play a critical role in mitigating the effects of climate change and protecting biodiversity.

The International Year of Forests will raise awareness and promote global action to sustainably manage, conserve and develop all types of forests, including trees outside of forests. “This is an open invitation to the world community”, says Pekka Patosaari, Director of the United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat, “to come together and work with Governments, international organizations and civil society, to ensure that our forests are managed sustainably for current and future generations”.

Every day, some 350 square kilometres of forest cover are lost worldwide. Conversion to agricultural land, unsustainable harvesting of timber, unsound land management practices, and creation of human settlements are the most common reasons for this loss of forested areas.

Current efforts in forest planting and restoration have helped stem some of the net loss of global forest area, but further global action is needed. “The real challenge is to move beyond raising awareness”, says Mr. Patosaari. “Member States of the United Nations Forum of Forests recently adopted four ambitious Global Objectives on Forests, which included a commitment to reverse the loss of forest cover worldwide. Taking these objectives forward, the Forum is currently in the process of creating an international instrument on forests. However, it is only through broad public participation and by harnessing the skills and practical experiences of forestry practitioners worldwide that we can realize these international objectives and effect change.”

An Internet site for the International Year of Forests has been established within the UN Forum on Forests website www.un.org/esa/forests/2011/2011.html.