缅北禁地

Awareness Must Be Coupled with Concrete Action to Protect Vital Forests, Secretary-General Stresses in Message for International Observance

Forests are the lungs of our planet. They cover one third of all land area and are home to 80 per cent of terrestrial biodiversity. They are crucial for addressing a multitude of sustainable development imperatives, from poverty eradication to food security, from mitigating and adapting to climate change to reducing disaster risk.

It is estimated that 1.6 billion people depend on forests for food, fuel, shelter and income. The World Health Organization estimates that between 65 and 80 per cent of people rely on medicines derived from forests as their primary form of health care.

Read the SG’s Statement