International Day of Forests - March 21, the UN-recognised day celebrating and raising awareness of forests
International Day of Forests on March 21 is a UN-recognised annual day first observed in 2012, established by UN General Assembly Resolution 67/200 in 2012. Celebrates the importance of all types of forests, raises awareness of deforestation and biodiversity loss. Adopted from the World Forestry Day (1971). Not a public holiday.
International observancePublished October 14, 2026
- Observed in
- UN
- When
- March
- Frequency
- Same date every year
- Days off
- Varies by country
- Public status
- Varies by country; consult local government gazette
International Day of Forests on March 21 is a UN-recognised annual day first observed in 2012, established by UN General Assembly Resolution 67/200, celebrating forests and raising awareness of deforestation. Adopted from the FAO's World Forestry Day (1971). Coordinated by FAO and UN Forum on Forests. Observed globally. Not a public holiday.
The one-line summary
UN-recognised annual day established 2012 by UNGA Resolution 67/200. Adopted from the FAO's World Forestry Day (1971). First observed March 21, 2012. Celebrates forests and biodiversity. Not a public holiday.
Origin and history
The International Day of Forests has a 50-year history. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN established "World Forestry Day" on March 21, 1971, at the 123rd session of the FAO Council. The day was adopted to raise awareness of forest conservation and the role of forests in sustainable development. From 1971 to 2011, it was observed as "World Forestry Day" under FAO leadership.
On December 21, 2012, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 67/200 designating March 21 as the "International Day of Forests" and elevating the FAO observance to UN-level recognition. The resolution was led by Costa Rica and supported by 192 countries. The FAO and the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF) now jointly coordinate the day; FAO produces the annual theme and outreach materials, UNFF coordinates intergovernmental policy discussions.
How it is observed
The International Day of Forests is observed through tree-planting campaigns, forest awareness walks, school outreach, and policy events. National forest services and environmental ministries host public events; the FAO publishes annual state-of-forest reports timed to the day. Many countries coordinate their tree-planting campaigns with the day, although Arbor Day (typically late April in the US and other temperate countries) is the larger tree-planting day.
The UN Forum on Forests (UNFF) hosts an intergovernmental policy forum around the day. The FAO hosts the annual flagship Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA 2020 was the most recent), which is the most comprehensive global dataset on forest area, deforestation, afforestation, and biodiversity. The day also sees the publication of country-level sustainability reports by major paper, timber, and pulp companies.
Global forest status
According to the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020, the world has 4.06 billion hectares of forest, covering 31% of global land area. Annual net forest loss between 2015 and 2020 was 10 million hectares per year, with the highest loss rates in tropical regions. Tropical primary forest loss accelerated sharply after 2010; the rate of loss in 2020 alone was equivalent to losing an area the size of the Netherlands.
The top five forest countries by area are Russia (815 million ha), Brazil (497 million ha), Canada (347 million ha), the United States (310 million ha), and China (220 million ha). Together they account for 54% of global forest area. Forests store an estimated 662 billion tonnes of carbon - more than half the carbon in the atmosphere - making them the largest terrestrial carbon sink.
Controversies and criticism
The International Day of Forests faces criticism that annual observances have not slowed deforestation. Global forest loss between 2015 and 2020 was 10 million hectares per year - approximately the same rate as 2000-2010. Critics argue that the day's voluntary awareness-raising approach has failed to address the underlying drivers: palm oil, soy, beef, timber, and pulp-and-paper demand.
The FAO's response is that the day is one of multiple tools - including the EU Deforestation Regulation (2023), the US Forest Act (proposed), certification systems (FSC, PEFC), and corporate zero-deforestation commitments - that together are slowing the rate of forest loss. The 2020 Global Forest Resources Assessment documented a marginal slowing of loss from 2015-2020 versus 2000-2010, although the rate of tropical primary forest loss accelerated.
Related observances
Earth Day (Apr 22), World Wildlife Day (Mar 3), World Environment Day (Jun 5), and World Ocean Day (Jun 8) are all related biodiversity observances. The International Day of Forests is the only one focused specifically on forest ecosystems.
Sources
UNGA Resolution 67/2002012FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment2020UN Forum on Forests2012FAO World Forestry Day records1971