next to international forest dayCelebrated on 21 March, the Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Armen Martirosyan in Belarus told united nations news About the threats facing this vital ecosystem and efforts to protect it.
According to him, forests are not just a natural resource but a complex, self-regulating ecosystem. Its importance extends far beyond national boundaries.
“Forests absorb and store carbon, which plays an important role in mitigating climate change. They regulate water systems, protect soil from erosion and improve air quality,” Martirosyan said.
Ecosystem and Economy
Today, Belarus has forests covering an area of approximately 10 million hectares. According to UNDP, that area has increased by one million hectares, or one hectare per person, over the past 30 years, twice the global average rate of growth.
Armen Martirosyan, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Belarus.
Forest ecosystems play an important role in preserving biodiversity, providing habitat to thousands of plant and animal species. Their economic contribution is equally important, the forestry sector employs about 40,000 people, with wood products accounting for 8.4 percent of exports. Non-timber forest products, such as berries, mushrooms and medicinal plants are also important.
Forests also provide prime locations for recreation and tourism, creating new opportunities for small businesses and employment in the areas.
“Ecotourism is becoming a priority in Belarus,” Mr. Martirosyan said. “Forests provide local communities with opportunities to create jobs, develop small businesses, and design educational eco-trails for residents and visitors.”
emerging threats
However, forest ecosystems are facing increasing threats, primarily linked to the effects of climate change.
One of the most serious challenges remains forest fires. Mr Martirosyan stressed that this is directly linked to rising temperatures, shorter frost durations, changes in precipitation patterns and intensity, as well as the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. According to experts, since the beginning of the 2025 fire season, more than 700 fires have been recorded in Belarus, affecting more than 1,200 hectares of forest, almost twice as many as last year.
He warned that coniferous forests, which dominate Belarus, are particularly vulnerable, as fires can cause serious damage to biodiversity and destroy entire ecosystems.
“Forest pests are another serious challenge,” he said, pointing to the increase in insects such as bark beetles and sawflies in recent years, which is also linked to climate warming and the decreasing resilience of forest ecosystems.
Forest fire in Belarus.
UNDP support
Cooperating with the Ministry of Forestry of Belarus for several years, UNDP has been helping to introduce modern approaches to forest management and UN agency experts have developed recommendations for updating legislation in this area.
In 2025, proposals were drawn up on more effective fire management as well as the use of digital technologies and innovative methods for forest inventory, protection and conservation. In February 2026, with the support of the United Nations, a strategy and national action plan for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in Belarus were adopted.
A new project was launched last year to strengthen preparedness for fire prevention and response. This is the first project implemented by UNDP in Belarus with financial support from the Government of the People’s Republic of China under the South-South Cooperation framework. Another project focuses on the development of ecotourism and is being implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Natural Resources with the support of the Russian Federation.
“Ecotourism creates new sources of income for local communities while supporting protected areas,” the UNDP representative explained. He said the project helps to develop ecotourism infrastructure, create new routes and services, and train specialists working in Belarus’ nature reserves.
He said, “Forest is a living organism. It must be treated not just as a resource, but as part of our shared reality on which our future depends.”
Firefighting personnel and equipment are inspected in preparation for fire season in Belarus.
Three steps to protect forests
UNDP’s Mr. Martirosyan said that joint efforts with partners at the international, national and local levels help to create a systematic approach to forest management, ensure sustainable results and preserve forests for future generations, stressing that there is a need to focus on three key areas to protect forests.
- Use of innovation and digital technologies to monitor forest conditions and detect threats early
- Strengthening partnerships between government, international organizations and local communities
- Increasing education and environmental awareness, especially among youth
