On 21 March, the High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh (HCDR), celebrated the International Day of Forests with the participation of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment, Al Riyadh Municipality, Saudi Aramco, Fasel International Company and UBER at Al-Bujairi Neighborhood.
The event was accompanied by a number of activities and competitions for children to explain the importance of trees and vegetation. A group of house and outdoor plants were distributed to visitors to share the spirit of environment protection and promote environmental awareness.
The 2018 celebration’s theme is “Forests and Sustainable Cities”. This global celebration of forests provides a platform to raise awareness of the importance of all types of woodlands and trees, and celebrate the ways in which they sustain and protect us. This event is especially important for the City of Riyadh due to its desert climate.
The United Nations General Assembly declared that 21 March of each year is to be observed as the International Day of Forests. The resolution encourages all Member States to organize activities relating to all types of forests. Activities expected to take place on the International Day include tree-planting and other community-level events, and national celebrations including art, photo and film as well as social media outreach.
The International Day of Forests also aims to raise awareness of the importance of forests to people and their vital role in poverty eradication, environmental sustainability and food security. Sustainable management of all types of forests are at the heart of unlocking challenges of conflict-affected, developing and developed countries, for the benefit of current and future generations.