Every year the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the Food and Agricultural Organization celebrate the International Day of Forests in order to raise awareness on the role of forests in our society. Each year we choose a special theme to demonstrate how closely the forests are linked to different areas of our lives and to various sectors of the economy. This year's International Day of Forests will emphasize the synergies between the forestry sector and the food industry under the theme “Forests for Food – Food for Forests”.

Why forests and why food?

With a growing global population, much of the current discourse on food security is focused on increasing and expanding agricultural production at the expense of natural ecosystems. However, some studies suggest that we already grow enough food to feed the whole planet, and that food scarcity is primarily caused by inadequate distribution, a lack of purchasing power and other non-productive causes.

Nonetheless, forest ecosystems are still particularly affected by agricultural expansion. The exponential increase of such practices not only leads to a decline in the global forested area, but has detrimental and far-reaching consequences. It has a direct impact on soils, air, water cycle, biodiversity and finally on the CO2 sequestration potential, thus decreasing the mitigating effect on climate change. Furthermore, the expansion of cultivated areas reduces forests and tree-based agricultural systems that contribute to the livelihoods of a large part of the world population.

The expansion of large-scale food production mainly occurs in the tropical regions and does not affect the pan-European region directly. However, extensive agricultural expansion is often connected to trade policies and demand-driven businesses from the pan-European region.

With the issue of food security and nutrition high on the UN agenda, as well as in political and scientific circles, it is crucial to explore how the forests can contribute to a food secure and nutrition-sensitive world. Forests play an important role in this area through their abundant supply of berries, forest fruits, mushrooms, nuts, honey, herbs, leaves, saps, oils, syrups, fish, wild game, etc. They also provide enormous benefits by protecting soils, mitigating floods, purifying water and conserving biodiversity. Forests also serve as a source of inspiration for the world-renowned chefs and the gastronomic industry.

Many players from the food industry have already adopted sustainable business practices committing themselves to reversing deforestation, using forest products in a sustainable way, while enhancing food security and generating economic benefits. The gastronomic sector is also shifting its focus to more traditional and natural flavours and products.

What do we hope to achieve with this event?

The purpose for choosing the topic of “Forests for Food – Food for Forests” is to explore the link between the forestry sector and the food industry, which is often overlooked. We also wish to use this opportunity to be mindful of our eating habits, promote a more conscious food culture and aim to raise awareness on the socio-economic, cultural and environmental benefits of forests, non-wood forest products, and food in particular.

The social and cultural benefits of forests will be highlighted through the connection between forests, food and gastronomy and draw upon traditions, cultural practices and the everlasting heritage transferred from one generation to the other. The benefits of forest ecosystem services will be emphasized through the role forests play in maintaining soil, water and air quality. And finally the links between forests and food will showcase that incorporating sustainable business principles into forest-related food production can generate socio-economic benefits, jobs and profits. All these aspects will help people to better understand the multiple values of forests.

The cross-sectoral nature of the event will bring together a great number of key experts from the forestry sector, food and beverage industry, gastronomy, academia, international organizations, NGOs, press and media.

The theme “Forests for Food – Food for Forests” is especially timely, as it is in line with the theme of EXPO2015 “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”. The year 2015 will also be crucial for determining the future of our forests, as EXPO 2015 will be followed by the Post-2015 Development Agenda Summit in September and Silva2015 together with the Third European Forest Week in Engelberg in November with the main focus on the “Value of Forests”.

11.30 – 12.30 at Press Room III, Palais des Nations, Geneva

On the occasion of the International Day of Forests 2015 the Joint ECE/FAO Section launched its new publication on “Forests in the ECE Region: Trends and Challenges in Achieving the Global Objectives on Forests” at a Press Conference held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva at 11.30 am on 20 March 2015.

The study focuses on the social, economic and environmental aspects of forestry and the sustainability and financing of forest management. The report serves as a regional overview of forests within the Economic Commission for Europe at the 11th session of the United Nations Forum on Forests in May 2015 in New York.

A presentation on the study was made at the 37th Joint ECE/FAO Working Party on Forest Statistics, Economics and Management.

Forests for Food – Food for Forests
14:30 – 17:30 at Room XIV (Cinema Room), Palais des Nations, Geneva

Roundtables

The Roundtables will be opened by Mr. Christian Friis Bach, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, and Mr. Vladimir Rakhmanin, the Assistant Director-General and the Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia of the Food and Agricultural Organization. Mr. Hans Hoogeveen, the Director-General of Agriculture at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation of the Netherlands, will deliver a key note speech on the linkages between forests and food. It will be followed by words of welcome from Mr. Ivan Valentik, the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and the Head of the Federal Forestry Agency of the Russian Federation.

The key experts from the forest-related agencies, international organizations, academia, NGOs, food and beverage industries and gastronomy, will come together to create a platform for discussing this initiative. The Conference will be divided into two thematic parts Forests for Food and Food for Forests.

During the Forests for Food roundtable, we will be discussing how forests contribute directly and indirectly to the food and beverage industry. We will be presenting the best practices of business leaders with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, planting new forests, maintaining biodiversity and improving forest ecosystems. The finest chefs will also share their insight on the role of forests in gastronomy and their potential in discovering new flavours.

During the Food for Forests roundtable, we will be discussing how our eating habits and food production impact the forests in the ECE region and beyond, the relationship between agricultural expansion and deforestation, and possible solutions to prevent deforestation and increase food security.

For the programme of the Conference, please, click here.

Forests for Food – Food for Forests Conference
14:30 – 17:30 at Room XIV (Cinema Room), Palais des Nations, Geneva

For the infographic video on “Forests in the ECE Region: Trends and Challenges in Achieving the Global Objectives on Forests”, please, click here