Welcome to the United Nations
-
Image
Forests support livelihoods and economies, providing food, income, employment and essential ecosystem services around the world.
International Day of Forests 2026: Forests and economies
Forests drive economies and support people’s well-being
Forests are fundamental to sustainable and inclusive economies. They underpin livelihoods, generate employment, reduce poverty and strengthen food systems for billions of people worldwide. For many rural and forest-dependent communities, forests are a primary source of income, nutrition, energy and resilience, particularly in times of economic or environmental stress.
Beyond jobs and livelihoods, forests function as economic infrastructure. They provide essential ecosystem services — including climate regulation, water security, soil protection and disaster risk reduction — that support productivity across agriculture, energy, industry and urban systems. These contributions help sustain economic growth while safeguarding natural capital for present and future generations.
Yet, despite their full range of economic, social and environmental contributions, forests remain widely undervalued in economic decision-making and chronically underfinanced. Current levels of investment fall far short of what is needed to halt deforestation and forest degradation and to unlock forests’ full potential for sustainable development.
On the International Day of Forests, we highlight the need to better recognise forests as engines of inclusive growth and well-being, and to scale up policies, partnerships and investments that place forests at the heart of resilient and sustainable economies.
Special event at UNHQ, in New York
Forests and economies: The interconnections, challenges, and the opportunities
This year #ForestDay will be observed at UN Headquarters on 24 March from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in conference room 6. The United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, will host a panel discussion to explore how valuation, governance and finance can better reflect forests’ full economic, social and environmental contributions.
The event will be livestreamed on UN Web TV.
Key messages
Forests drive economies and support people’s well-being
Forests are not peripheral to economies — they underpin livelihoods, reduce poverty, strengthen food systems and deserve greater investment.
More than 1.6 billion people depend on forests for subsistence, income or employment, yet forest investment remains far below what is needed to unlock their full economic potential.
Forests sustain livelihoods, jobs and local economies worldwide
The forest sector provides around 13 million formal jobs, with 40–50 million additional jobs in informal and small-scale forest enterprises. In many low-income countries, forests contribute a higher share of GDP than in high-income economies, reflecting their importance for inclusive growth.
Forests are economic infrastructure — but they remain critically underfinanced
Global investment in forests was about US$ 84 billion in 2023, while annual investment needs must more than triple by 2030 to meet climate, biodiversity and development goals. This financing gap limits the ability of forests to deliver jobs, resilience and long-term economic returns.
Forests are a lifeline for people living in poverty
Forests act as safety nets during economic shocks, conflicts and climate-related crises, providing food, fuel, shelter and income when other options are limited. Non-cash forest benefits are estimated to be two to three times greater than reported cash contributions, yet remain largely invisible in national accounts.
Forests are a pathway to gender equality
Women are central to forest livelihoods and food security, yet unequal access to land, finance and decision-making continues to limit both women’s rights and the economic potential of forests.
In many forest-dependent areas, women account for up to half of the forest workforce and are primary collectors and users of fuelwood, food and non-wood forest products. Yet women continue to face systematic barriers to land tenure, decision-making and access to finance, limiting both gender equality and the economic potential of forests.
Important links
Forests and economies is a shared story — and your voice can help amplify it.
On #ForestDay, we invite you to help raise awareness of the vital role forests play in sustaining livelihoods, strengthening food systems and supporting resilient economies. Find key messages, graphics and suggested social media posts in our Trello Board.
Visit the FAO webpage for the observance to learn more about the essential role of forests in driving economic prosperity. You will also find free digital materials to share across your channels, as well as information on how to take part in the photo competition.
The International Day of Forests, observed annually on 21 March, was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Since 2013, it has been celebrated worldwide under an annual theme selected by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests to highlight the contribution of forests to sustainable development.