(AGENPARL) – Tue 18 March 2025 [cid:7bfa02f1-540d-46d8-8a8c-d2c3847f916f]
International Day of Forests 2025: Forests and Foods
FAO to highlight the crucial role of forests in food security with a high-level event, an interactive educational experience, and a hybrid technical session
Rome, 21 March 2025 | 11:00 – 16:00 CET
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will mark International Day of Forests (IDF) 2025 on March 21 with a series of events in Rome, under the theme “Forests and Foods”. Celebrations will take place both at FAO headquarters and at Villa Doria Pamphilj, where a high-level ceremony will highlight the essential connection between forests and food security.
Forests and trees play a fundamental role in global food security, nutrition, and livelihoods. They provide food, fuel, income, and employment while supporting biodiversity, soil fertility, and water resources. Yet, their contribution to food systems is often overlooked. This year’s IDF theme aims to shed light on the crucial connection between forests and food security, emphasizing how forests contribute to sustainable food production, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation.
Programme of events
21 March 2025 | 11:00 – 11:30 CET
FAO Park, Villa Doria Pamphilj, Rome
A high-level ceremony, held in collaboration with the Municipality of Rome, will take place at the Global Library of Trees and Flowers – FAO Park, a vibrant space featuring about 150 trees and other plants from diverse regions around the world. This event will mark IDF 2025 as the first major celebration of FAO’s 80th Anniversary, highlighting the vital connection between forests and food security.
Speakers include:
QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
Sabrina Alfonsi, Councillor for Agriculture, Environment, and Waste Cycle, Roma Capitale
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Educational Itinerary and Forest Foods Display
21 March 2025 | 11:30 – 12:30 CET
FAO Park, Villa Doria Pamphili
Following the ceremony, FAO will host an interactive educational tour for 300 schoolchildren from national and international schools.
Activities include:
Guided tours of trees representing seven global regions, led by FAO forestry experts
A guided tour by foraging expert Pietro Mattei
A forest foods exhibition, showcasing edible forest products such as mushrooms, chestnuts, pine nuts, and argan oil
An interactive session with Eugenio Morrone, Chef and World Gelato Champion, where students will make and taste gelato using forest fruits
This hands-on experience will help younger generations understand the vital link between forests, food security, and biodiversity.
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Hybrid Event at FAO Headquarters: “Forests and Foods – Celebrating the Role of Forests in Food Systems”
21 March 2025 | 14:00 – 16:00 CET
Sheikh Zayed Centre, FAO HQ & Online
A technical session will explore how forests contribute to food security and nutrition worldwide. Experts will discuss forest-based foods, the role of Indigenous knowledge, and innovative solutions for sustainable food systems.
Speakers include representatives from:
Canada, China, Ethiopia, Finland, Gabon, Morocco, Peru, Thailand, Turkey
International forestry and conservation organizations
The event will feature video link-ups with field sites, pre-recorded stories, and live panel discussions on the intersection of forests, food, and sustainability.
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CONTACT
FAO News and Media
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RESOURCES
International Day of Forests
Global Library of Trees and Flowers – FAO Park
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The hybrid event “Forests and Foods – Celebrating the Role of Forests in Food Systems” will be webcast here.
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