The 2nd African Forum on Urban Forests is well underway in Johannesburg (South Africa).
The Forum, has brought together technical teams from the continent, from 18 to 21 March 2025.
The overall theme of the Forum is “Green Horizons: Shaping the Future Resilience of African cities through Urban Forests.”
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the City of Johannesburg, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and the Centre on African Public Spaces are the front-runners of the forum.
The 1st African Forum on Urban Forests held in 2021, took stock and assessed the progress of urban forestry initiatives across the continent, while charting the path for future advancements.
Building upon this progress, the second forum, also Live streamed from the venue, is an in-depth conversation about innovative ideas, and concrete actions to integrate urban forests and green spaces at the core of urban planning and development.
The Forum was officiated by Bernice Swarts, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and Dada Morero, the Mayor of Johannesburg.
The City of Johannesburg said in a statement ahead of the Forum, as African cities grow, urban forests are increasingly recognized for their role in mitigating climate risks such as heat islands, improving air quality, managing stormwater, enhancing public health and fostering social cohesion.
Morero said “by 2050, nearly 70% of the world’s population will live in urban areas. This rapid urbanization places immense pressure on ecosystems, making integrating nature into our cities essential.”
Link to the Forum: https://www.youtube.com/live/EjIy5rzJF-A?si=tULl7qbn4kKTpHBf
Picture of the Deputy Minister, Bernice Swarts.