2nd World Forum on Urban Forests Calls for Equitable Access to the Benefits of Green Spaces for All

Washington, DC - With the world’s urban population rapidly growing and climate change posing new challenges for cities, urban forests and green spaces have a vital role to play in shaping healthy, inclusive, and resilient cities everywhere. Participants of the 2nd World Forum on Urban Forests (WFUF 2023) in a Washington Declaration called for ensuring that the benefits of urban green spaces and trees are accessible to everyone.    

The Forum, held in Washington, DC from 16 to 20 October 2023, centered on “Greener, healthier and happier cities for all.”More than 1200 participants from 60 countries gathered to discuss and share insights on 'Health,' 'Inclusivity,' and 'Resilience' in urban forestry through over 100 keynote and voluntary presentations highlighting the latest research and innovative approaches from across the globe. The Forum also featured a field of tours of urban green areas, including Casey Trees Nursery, Smithsonian Gardens, and the US National Arboretum, and concluded with the Cities Forum. 

The 2nd World Forum on Urban Forestry was co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Arbor Day Foundation, the US Forest Service, Smithsonian Institution, City of Washington DC, the International Society of Arboriculture, Politecnico di Milano and the Italian Society of Silviculture and Forestry (SISEF).  

The opening session included a land acknowledgment by Chief Mark Tayac of the Piscataway Indian Nation and remarks from representatives of each co-organizer. Keynote addresses were delivered by Brenda Mallory, Chair of the CEQ at the White House, and Ali Zaidi, Assistant to the President of the United States and National Climate Advisor. 

“As our cities expand, so do our responsibilities to create sustainable, resilient, and livable urban environments that allow everyone to thrive,” said Jocelyn Brown Hall, Director of the FAO Liaison Office for North America during the opening. 

The Urban forests: a global perspective report by FAO was launched highlighting that rapid urbanization without proper planning has led to cities with a scarcity of trees and green spaces, especially in low- and middle-income countries. 

During the week, a ceremonial tree planting event took place at the Italian embassy, in partnership with Restore Mass Ave. The initiative saw the planting of Cornus Florida trees native to eastern and central North America at the Embassy of Italy and several other embassies along Massachusetts Avenue, including Algeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Lesotho, and Zambia.  

“The best time to plant a tree was 100 years ago, the next best time is now. FAO is pushing for sustainable green cities by promoting urban forests,” said Simone Borelli, Urban Forestry Officer at FAO during the event.  

The Forum concluded with a Cities Forum at Baird Auditorium at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History featuring cities recognized by the “Tree Cities of the World” initiative led by FAO and the Arbor Day Foundation, with presentations from Auckland, Bogotá, and Kampala, as well as NGOs in supporting urban forestry on the ground. It also highlighted perspectives from city leaders and international organizations. The afternoon session hosted by Bloomberg Associates emphasized the role of urban trees in reducing extreme weather, accelerating climate action, and reducing inequalities in cities. 

Throughout the week, the World Forum on Urban Forests brought together the global urban forestry community, fostering knowledge exchange on the links between trees and health, innovative tools for monitoring urban canopy cover and access, and approaches to building resilient cities in the face of extreme weather events and biodiversity loss. 

The Forum underscored that urban forests offer a wide array of well-being and environmental benefits. Still, their full potential can only be realized through inclusive access and integration into urban planning and community life. These efforts are essential for creating healthier, more sustainable, and more livable cities.