On Saturday, Mongolia celebrated International Day of Forests, initiated to raise public awareness of the importance of forests and trees, reported the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
In the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, a national conference titled "Mongolian Forest Policy, Science, and Technology" was held in connection with this event.
At the opening of the event, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Batbaatar Bat, noted that "forests are not only natural resources but also ecosystems that play a key role in mitigating the effects of climate change, protecting water resources, and preserving biodiversity. Therefore, it is important to implement scientifically based policies for the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of forests."
Mongolia covers an area of 1.56 million square kilometers, with less than 10% of its territory covered by forests.
According to official data, nearly 77% of the country's territory is subject to desertification and land degradation.
In response to this issue, a nationwide tree planting initiative was launched in October 2021, aiming to plant at least one billion trees by 2030 to combat desertification.
According to the latest data from the ministry, approximately 128 million trees have been planted across the country since the start of the campaign.
Additionally, Mongolia will host the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification this year, aimed at enhancing global efforts to combat desertification, land degradation, and drought.
International Day of Forests is celebrated annually on March 21 to raise awareness of the importance of forests for ecosystems and human well-being. The theme for 2026 is "Forests and Economy," highlighting the important role of forests in providing livelihoods and creating economic opportunities in various sectors.
