Pino Calcagni’s keynote address highlighted the role of forest nuts as sustainable, healthy food
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) celebrated the International Day of Forests on March 20, 2025, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The event, themed “Forests and Food,” was co-organized with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Türkiye to the UN Office at Geneva.
The event explored the vital role of forests in providing food security and nutrition, with a particular focus on nuts and dried fruits. It highlighted the crucial connection between forests and healthy diets, showcasing how sustainable forest management contributes to food security and improves livelihoods. INC Co-founder Pino Calcagni gave an expert talk on the power of forests —and forest nuts in particular— as a sustainable source of healthy food. Other speakers at the event included Ambassador Burak Akçapar, Türkiye’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva; Semsettin Bayram Ozgur, Vice Chairman of the Aegean Dried Fruit Exporters’ Association; and Keith Anderson, Forest and Climate Policy Officer at Switzerland’s Federal Office for the Environment.
The talk was followed by a tasting session where attendees were invited to sample a variety of nutritious forest-grown foods from Armenia, Moldova, Poland, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan, showcasing the diverse flavors and health benefits of these natural products.
Photos: UNECE.