EFI Country Coordinator, Jerry Oikwao (left) with Wildlife Carbon Representative (centre) presenting a prize to speech contestant student from Betikama Secondary School in marking this year's International Day of Forests
Forest Day marked here
International Day of Forests, an annual global event commemorated around the world has been marked here.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21st March in 2012 as the actual day the International Day of Forests (IDF) is to be marked.
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.
The theme for each International Day of Forests is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.
‘Forests and Economies’ is the theme of the 2026 International Day of Forests, celebrating the essential roles of forests in driving economic prosperity. These roles go well beyond income and jobs from forest production and the trade of renewable raw materials and foods: forests also sustain family and community agriculture, enhance agricultural productivity, and safeguard healthy watersheds.
With many countries seeking to move toward a sustainable bioeconomy, forest products offer nature-based solutions as replacements for carbon-intensive materials while generating new economic opportunities.
Forests are indispensable for healthy economies – today and for future generations, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
For Solomon Islands, this year’s commemoration falls on a weekend. Because of this, the
Ministry of Forestry and Research has commemorated this day across three separate events –
on Friday 20th palm tree planting on upper Herbarium Office, Monday 23rd tree planting with students of Betikama and Tenaru and the main event on Friday 27th March respectively.
Supervising Forestry Secretary & the Deputy Secretary, Wilfred Atomea in his remarks says forestry, like other branches of agriculture, is a critical sector that deserves public attention. It is important for our people to understand the role in our daily lives – as sources of raw materials, employment, and national revenue.
“It is clear that forests are invaluable national assets. They contribute to biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, water security, and livelihoods. However, we also face serious challenges, including climate change, deforestation, population growth, weak governance, unsustainable harvesting, outdated forestry legislation, and community vulnerability.
“But, let us not view the environment and the economy as competing interests. Instead, let us recognize that they are deeply interconnected. When forests thrive, communities flourish.
Investing in trees today is an investment in hope and a guarantee of prosperity for future generations.”
Participating students’ speech contestants with Supervising Forestry PS Wilfred Atomea with other partner stakeholders cutting the International Day Forests cake.
Students getting information’s from Utilization Division booth.
Students of Betikama planting tree at their school compound on Monday 23rd March.
Students of Tenaru secondary school getting instructions from forestry staff prior to planting their trees.
Forestry staff with SINU forestry students took part in kicking start this year’s commemoration, planting palm trees at the upper Herbarium office on Friday 20th March.
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