Forests and trees offer multiple benefits to the cities of Bangladesh and FAO’s expertise is well suited for supporting city greening efforts. To celebrate and recognize the important of urban forestry, FAO participated in the seminar 'Forests for sustainable cities’ on the 2018 International Day of Forests (IDF). The seminar was organized and hosted by the Bangladesh Forest Department and was held in Dhaka.
Among FAO’s contributions was highlighting the use of fingernail-sized radio-frequency identification chips (RFID) for efficiently cataloging and monitoring individual urban trees. The chips are inserted harmlessly underneath the bark of trees and can be scanned in the future for easy identification.  Additionally, FAO produced videos were presented about the implementation of  the Bangladesh Forest Inventory and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and land use change in Bangladesh.  Around 300 guests attended the IDF programme and experienced the FAO booth.
Several talks emphasized the function of urban forests in urban areas including temperature and water flow regulation, providing food and shelter, acting as filters for clean air, fostering community cohesion and helping with individual well-being.
As a keynote speaker Md. Iqbal Habib, Managing Director, VITTI Sthapati Brindo Ltd. gave an overview of urban forestry in Bangladesh. Md. Zahidur Rahman Miah, emphasized the immediate need of urban forestry projects. Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan of Dhaka University stressed that forest conservation should be given priority at national level and non-forestry use of forest land should be prohibited.  Forestry expert and former Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. Istiaq Uddin Ahmad emphasized that marginal land in the city should be used to grow natural vegetation rather than roadside garbage dumping. He also mentioned the importance of choice of species for urban forestry and role of urban community in the protection of urban trees and forests. Quazi Golam Nasir, Chief Architect, Department of Architecture in his speech mentioned that it’s not enough to only improve modern architecture, but ensuring sufficient space for green vegetation is also critical. The Honorable Minister of Environment and Forests, Anisul Islam Mahmud, MP and Abdullah Al Mohsin Chowdhury, Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests proposed ways the Forest Department could collaborate on urban forestry with City Corporation and other urban stakeholders. 
The Honorable Minister, and the Secretary of Ministry of Environment and Forests, senior government officials, representatives of donors and international organizations and national experts attended the event; while the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF), Mohammed Shafiul Alam Chowdhury presided over the session.