World Bee Day

On May 21st starting at 09:00 will be held a virtual meeting Under the theme “ Science, innovation and policy actions for a more sustainable future ”, the Third International Forum for Action on Sustainable Beekeeping and Pollination will provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss actions to strengthen the science–policy interface, scale up pollinator-friendly agricultural approaches, enhance international cooperation and address emerging challenges in honey quality and trade. The Forum is jointly organized by FAO and the Republic of Slovenia and will be held in Maribor, Slovenia, from 20 to 21 May 2026. Watch the Third International Forum for Action on Sustainable Beekeeping and Pollination–Day2- Morning  

FAO and the Republic of Slovenia are jointly organizing the Third International Forum for Action on Sustainable Beekeeping and Pollination with the theme “Science, innovation and policy actions for a more sustainable future”, to be held in Maribor, Slovenia, from 20 to 21 May 2026. Bees and other pollinators are essential to food security, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem resilience and sustainable livelihoods. At a time when pollinators face increasing pressures from land use change, the indiscriminate use of agrochemicals, climate change and other environmental challenges, coordinated scientific, policy and practical responses are urgently needed. Building on the outcomes of the previous forums, the Forum in 2026 will provide a platform for dialogue among policymakers, researchers, beekeepers, farmers’ organizations, civil society and private sector representatives. Discussions will focus on strengthening the science–policy interface, scaling up pollinator-friendly agricultural a...

Under the theme “Science, innovation and policy actions for a more sustainable future”, the Third International Forum for Action on Sustainable Beekeeping and Pollination will provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss actions to strengthen the science–policy interface, scale up pollinator-friendly agricultural approaches, enhance international cooperation and address emerging challenges in honey quality and trade. The Forum is jointly organized by FAO and the Republic of Slovenia and will be held in Maribor, Slovenia, from 20 to 21 May 2026.  On 20 May 2026, starting at 13:00 (Rome time) Virtual Meeting on Science, Innovation and Policy actions for a more sustainable future. Watch the Third International Forum for Action on Sustainable Beekeeping and Pollination–Day1 - Afternoon session!

On 20 May 2026, starting at 09:20 (Rome time) Virtual Meeting on Science, Innovation and Policy actions for a more sustainable future.  Watch the Third International Forum for Action on Sustainable Beekeeping and Pollination–Day 1- Morning session!

Online and in-person event in Jimma, Ethiopia | 09:00 – 12.00 (Ethiopia time, UTC+3) | Opening of the Second International Forum for action on sustainable beekeeping and pollination Hybrid Event on  20/05/2025. Pollination is essential for agrifood systems, supporting the production of more than 75 percent of the world's crops, including fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. In addition to increasing crop yields, pollinators improve food quality and diversity. More than 200 000 animal species are pollinators, the vast majority of which are wild, including butterflies, birds, bats and more than 20 000 bee species. This year's theme for World Bee Day , " Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all ", highlights the critical roles bees and other pollinators play in agrifood systems and the health of our planet's ecosystems. Indeed, pollinators are increasingly threatened by habitat loss, unsustainable agricultural practices, climate change and pollution. Their decline ...

Through the country’s Rural Development Programme , Slovenia promotes farming practices that protect human health, ensure sustainable use of natural resources , and preserve biodiversity . These include initiatives like sowing summer crops that provide continuous flowering resources for honeybees , thereby increasing their resilience over winter. Additionally, projects such as “ Pollinators for fruit growers and fruit growers for pollinators ” aim to improve knowledge transfer about wild pollinators in fruit growing and establish good practices for their protection in orchards .

In southwestern Ethiopia, local communities preserve forests , practice organic farming , and maintain diverse home gardens, fostering habitats for pollinators while boosting food security and nutrition and income generation, for instance through organic honey and coffee production . Agroecological initiatives , such as the “More Bees” project in Amhara , promote alternative pest management and pollinator-friendly beekeeping , equipping farmers with eco-friendly practices  that enhance crop yields and support pollinator health .

 Peru is positioning apiculture as a key sector for agricultural sustainability and economic resilience. The Ministry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation is developing a National Plan for Apiculture Development to support beekeeping and pollination services . Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment has established a National Committee to coordinate Peru’s role in Poli-LAC, a regional initiative for pollinator protection . With nearly 40 percent of Peru’s crops dependent on pollinators, these efforts highlight apiculture’s strategic importance for the country’s future.

For thousands of years people have kept and used bees to harvest honey. However, beekeeping goes far beyond the production of honey. Bees and other pollinators play a vital role in increasing agricultural yields, contributing to biodiversity and other ecosystem services. They also provide a tangible support to the livelihoods of rural communities and indigenous peoples, which leads to a steadier food security framework. Since beekeeping can be done with locally available material and limited resources, it also offers decent working opportunities and income generation to people in extreme poverty, including women, young people, and even disabled citizens. In recognition of this, the Government of Slovenia and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organize an International forum for action on sustainable beekeeping and pollination. This biennial event brings together governments, experts, business and civil society to give a regular fresh impetus to the intern...