Talking Bees
FAO hosts a special discussion on the importance of bees and the threats facing them, moderated by the BBC Radio 4 presenter Martha Kearney.
The discussion features the participation of Nicola Bradbear, Founder of Bees for Development and President of Apimondia’s Scientific Commission for Beekeeping for Rural Development; Abram J. Bicksler, Agricultural Officer for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); Dave Goulson, Professor of Biology, University of Sussex; and Dr. Samuel Ramsey, Entomologist, Bee Research Lab of the United States Department of Agriculture - Agriculture Research Service (USDA-ARS). Composer Michael Omer will perform his version of The Flight of the Bumblebee to conclude the event.
Download the photos from the event here.
Bee Engaged!
20 May 2020, 12.00 pm to 1.30 pm CET
Agenda | Webcast | Zoom
The year’s theme is “Bee Engaged” with a specific focus on bee production and good practices adopted by beekeepers to support their livelihoods and deliver good quality products.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has had an undeniable impact on the beekeeping sector affecting the production, the market and as a consequence, the livelihoods of beekeepers. During the event will be explored the role of beekeeping in supporting rural communities and improving food and nutrition security in this challenging situation.
This year’s virtual event will highlight the importance of traditional knowledge related to beekeeping, the use of bee-derived products and services, and their importance in achieving the SDGs.
WITH THE SUPPORT OF
Why a World Bee Day?
By observing World Bee Day each year, we can raise awareness on the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy, and on the many challenges they face today. We have been celebrating this day since 2018, thanks to the efforts of the Government of Slovenia with the support of Apimondia, that led the UN General Assembly to declare 20 May as World Bee Day.
The date for this observance was chosen as it was the day Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern apiculture, was born. Janša came from a family of beekeepers in Slovenia, where beekeeping is an important agricultural activity with a long-standing tradition.
Today bees, pollinators, and many other insects are declining in abundance. This day provides an opportunity for all of us – whether we work for governments, organizations or civil society or are concerned citizens – to promote actions that will protect and enhance pollinators and their habitats, improve their abundance and diversity, and support the sustainable development of beekeeping.
Timeline leading to World Bee Day
20 May 1734 – Breznica, Slovenia Birth of Anton Janša, who came from a long line of beekeepers, became a pioneer of modern apiculture. Bees were a frequent topic of conversation with neighbouring farmers, who would gather at the village and discuss farming and bee-keeping practices.
1766 - Anton enrolled in the first bee-keeping school in Europe.
1769 – Janša worked fulltime as a beekeeper.
1771 – Published the book Discussion on Bee-keeping in German.
1773 – Death of Jansa by typhus.
2016 – At the FAO Regional Conference for Europe, the Republic of Slovenia proposed World Bee Day to be celebrated on 20 May each year, with the support of Apimondia, the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Association.
2017 – Proposal for World Bee Day was submitted for consideration at the 40th Session of FAO Conference.
2017 – UN General Assembly unanimously proclaimed 20 May as World Bee Day.
20 May 2018 – First Observance of World Bee Day.
Key messages
There are over 20 000 species of bees.
Safeguarding bees, safeguards biodiversity.
Beekeeping can improve the resilience and livelihoods
of rural and indigenous communities.
Most of the world’s vital food crops depend upon bees
and other pollinators.
