Skip to content
Start of page content below the header
Event
19 March 2026

Celebrating the 2026 International Day of Forests and World Water Day

Join FAO on Thursday 19 March at 11:00 (UTC+1) for a high-level global event to celebrate the International Day of Forests, with its theme of Forests and economies, and World Water Day, with its theme of Water and gender.

The event will explore the vital linkages between forests and water and their importance for healthy economies and gender equality. It will show how forests support family and community farming, boost agricultural productivity and protect watersheds, and why promoting gender equality in agricultural water management is a powerful development opportunity.

The event will feature a special guest speaker – singer, songwriter and record producer Elisa, who will talk about “where forests and water become music”.

Interpretation will be available in 6 languages and livestreamed.

 

Agenda

11:00– 11:10

Opening video message
QU Dongyu,
Director-General, FAO

11:10 – 11:25

“Where forests and water become music”
Elisa,
singer, songwriter and record producer

11:25 – 11:40

Keynote speech, “An optimist’s guide to trees and water”
Douglas Sheil, Professor, Forest Ecology and Forest Management, Wageningen University;
Senior Research Associate, CIFOR-ICRAF

Video, “Forests and water”

11:40 – 12:10

High-level speakers will share country experiences

12:10 – 12:20

Perspectives from women farmers

12:20 – 12:30Closing remarks
Godfrey Magwenzi, Deputy Director-General, FAO

12:30 – 12:40

Musical performance by Maestro Antonio Cortesi, cellist

Times

From 19 March 2026 at 11:00 to 19 March 2026 at 12:40

Venue

Online and FAO HQ