The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests in 2012 to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees.
The theme for 2024 was Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World.
Innovation and technology have revolutionized forest monitoring, enabling countries to track and report on their forests more effectively. A total of 13.7 billion tons of carbon dioxide forest emissions reductions or enhancements have been reported to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change through transparent and innovative forest monitoring.
To commemorate the day, UN-REDD Programme organized a guided walk in Karura Forest. Over 50 participants from the UN, Kenya Forest Service, Friends of Karura and various organizations took part, igniting a renewed commitment to maintaining forest ecosystems for future generations. It also handed the participants an experience to learn about the innovations in forest management.
The walk also highlighted the importance of forests to human lives, societies and economies including;
- Enhancing participants connection with forests and deepening their understanding of forest importance and linkages to the Programme's work areas;
- Refreshed and expanded participants knowledge about forest ecosystems, their services, and the innovations driving forest conservation and sustainable use, and how the Programme's work contributes to these efforts;
- Promoted health and wellness through physical activity in a natural setting.
- Strengthened partnerships between UN-REDD Programme, Kenya Forest Service and other collaborators
