Celebrating International Day of Forests: Emphasizing Forests' Role in Food Security and Livelihoods

Belgrade, March 21, 2025 – Today is the International Day of Forests (IDF)! This year’s theme is Forests and Foods because forests play a crucial role in strengthening food security and providing livelihoods. In addition to supplying food, fuel, income, and jobs, forests are essential for successful agricultural production. They provide habitats for pollinators, help maintain healthy soil, retain water, offer food and shade for livestock, regulate temperature, and act as natural windbreaks for crops. They also increase precipitation levels for agricultural needs. Forests are vital for the survival of forest-dependent communities and contribute to climate change mitigation by storing carbon.

As part of the celebration of the International Day of Forests and the Day of the Forestry Youth Movement of Serbia (Pokret gorana Srbije), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Forestry Youth Movement of Serbia (Pokret gorana Srbije) and in cooperation with the Forest Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia, as well as JKP “Zelenilo Belgrade,” organized a tree-planting event in Belgrade. On this occasion, 65 Siberian elm seedlings were planted in the Republika Srpska Park on the New Belgrade bank of the Sava River, between the Old Railway Bridge and Gazela Bridge at Staro Sajmište.

"The FAO Project Office in Serbia is pleased to participate in this joint tree-planting initiative today, on the International Day of Forests, alongside the Forestry Youth Movement of Serbia (Pokret gorana Srbije), in a year when the Movement celebrates 65 years of existence and FAO marks 80 years since its founding. For us, as 'foresters,' the Movement’s motto, ‘Plant your three trees,’ is the clearest manifestation of the importance of forests because those three trees produce the amount of oxygen sufficient for one person throughout their lifetime. This year’s theme for the International Day of Forests is Forests and Foods, reminding us that the survival of human civilization depends on forests and forest products. Today, about 5 billion people rely on forest products for fuel, food, medicine, and livelihoods," said Predrag Jović, FAO Project Manager.

"With today’s planting of 65 Siberian elm seedlings, the Forestry Youth Movement of Serbia (Pokret gorana Srbije) is kicking off the celebration of an important milestone – 65 years of successful work and engagement, as well as marking the International Day of Forests under the theme Forests and Foods. Over the years, thousands of our members have worked diligently on afforestation, greening, establishing windbreaks, caring for previously planted areas, nursery production, and implementing numerous social, educational, and environmental initiatives. Over the past 65 years, through voluntary efforts, our members have afforested, grassed, and greened more than 408 000 hectares of unproductive land. With today’s planting action, we continue our efforts across the entire Republic of Serbia," stated Miroslav Mihajilović, Secretary of the Forestry Youth Movement of Serbia (Pokret gorana Srbije).

Photo: © FAO/Emilija Maric

The partnership between FAO and the Forestry Youth Movement of Serbia (Pokret gorana Srbije) is of great importance for improving sustainable natural resource management and fostering environmental awareness, especially this year, as FAO celebrates 80 years and the Forestry Youth Movement of Serbia (Pokret gorana Srbije) marks 65 years of dedicated work in environmental conservation.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests (IDF) 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.