World Bee Day

World Bee Day - 20 May

World Bee Day is observed on 20 May each year to draw attention to the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy. It provides an opportunity for governments, organizations, civil society and concerned citizens everywhere to promote actions that will protect and enhance pollinators and their habitats, improve their abundance and diversity, and support the sustainable development of beekeeping.

World Bee Day shines a light on the habitat of pollinators to improve the conditions for their survival so that bees and other pollinators may thrive.

The date 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.

We have been celebrating this day since 2018, thanks to the efforts of the Government of Slovenia and FAO, with the support of Apimondia, that led the UN General Assembly to declare 20 May as World Bee Day!

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Illustrations by Nelke Roose

Did you know there are over 20,000 species of bee in the world?

Honey bees gather nectar from four million flowers to make one kilo of honey

Buy honey and other hive products from your local beekeepers or trusted brands whose honey can be traced back to a beekeeper.

Let your lawn grow in May to provide wild flowers for bees and other pollinators.

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History of World Bee Day

1734

Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern beekeeping, was born in Slovenia on 20 May 1734, and raised in a family of beekeepers. He revolutionized beekeeping with his innovative hive design, his understanding of bee roles, and his promotion of migratory beekeeping.

Anton Janša abandoned a promising career in painting to fully dedicate himself to beekeeping, becoming a renowned expert.
In 1770, he was appointed as the first imperial teacher of beekeeping for the vast Hapsburg Empire.

2016

At the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations' 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.

2017

On 20 December 2017, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously approved a resolution, proclaiming 20 May as World Bee Day!

20 May 2018

The first celebration of World Bee Day took place in 2018. It has since been celebrated around the world to raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators for humanity in the light of food security, the global elimination of hunger, and care for the environment and biodiversity.