The United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests. The kickoff event was held February 2 at the Ninth Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF-9) in New York.
 

The theme for this year's celebration is "Forests for People."

Learn more on this UN website.

The ceremony was presided by the President of the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly and featured the premiere of the short film “FOREST” directed by Mr. Yann Arthus-Bertrand, as well as film clips from the winning entries of the International Forest Film Festival.