Australia's forest products sector celebrates its amazing contribution to fighting climate change, providing skilled and regional employment, creating essential products and an enormous economic contribution - this International Day of Forests, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Diana Hallam said today.
The 2025 theme is "Forests and Food" which highlights the important role our sector has for global food security. Forests are critical for climate regulation, soil enrichment, as an energy source and for water - not to mention the critical and sustainable resource they provide for humankind. As global population grows, protecting forests all over the world from threats like deforestation and fire risks is only becoming more important.
"This International Day of Forests Australia's forest products sector is calling on all policy and political decision makers to better recognise the potential of Australian forestry to provide for the nation to meet our emission reduction targets and fight climate change - as well as contribute to our sovereign capability and provide essential products," Diana Hallam said.
"Australia leads the way in global forest management whether they be native forests or plantations. It's something we must continue, not only to secure our own access to this sustainable resource, but because it sets a quality example for the rest of the world in how production forests should be managed.
"In Australia - every tree harvested in our native forests for wood and timber is replaced by law for future generations. We value what forests can provide and we need to ensure they're harvested sustainably. Our plantations also play a critical role in providing resource for housing, while also helping reduce national emissions through carbon sequestration.
"AFPA's Federal Election Platform Australian Timber. Australia's Future outlines what our sector needs to reach its potential in the future and we encourage all sides of politics to commit to the Platform in full ahead of the Election.
"International Day of Forests is a time to celebrate the power of forests and in Australia they certainly are a powerhouse for our nation," Diana Hallam concluded.
