International forum in Slovenia strengthens efforts for sustainable beekeeping and the protection of pollinators

On the occasion of World Bee Day (20 May), Slovenia is hosting the third International Forum for Action on Sustainable Beekeeping and Pollination today and tomorrow. The event was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the support of the International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations, Apimondia.

Bees and other pollinators play a crucial role in ensuring food security, preserving biodiversity and maintaining the resilience of ecosystems. Forum participants emphasized that sustainable beekeeping can significantly contribute to reducing poverty, improving nutrition and promoting social inclusion while strengthening the stability of agricultural production and increasing resilience to environmental challenges.

Nevertheless, pollinators face many threats today, including habitat loss, changes in land use, intensive farming, climate change, agrochemical use and the spread of diseases and invasive species. For this reason, particular attention at the forum was devoted to finding effective solutions to protect them.

This year's forum is being held under the title "Science, innovation and policy actions for a more sustainable future", further strengthening efforts to promote decisive international action. The event provides a platform for sharing good practices and professional expertise, showcasing innovations and discussing practical steps for the development of sustainable beekeeping and the protection of pollinators.

In her opening address, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Mateja Čalušić, said: “Slovenia is a land of beekeepers, the Carniolan honeybee, and rich knowledge passed down from generation to generation. At the same time, we also want to be a country of modern solutions, research, international cooperation, and the integration of various sectors – from agriculture and science to education and environmental protection.”

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, together with Slovenia’s diplomatic missions abroad, has carries out more than 300 bee-related projects in recent years to promote Slovenian beekeeping expertise and raise awareness of the importance of pollinators.

As Darja Bavdaž Kuret, Ambassador at Large noted: “Our ambition remains clear: to strengthen environmental and social responsibility, develop innovative approaches and technologies, and deepen the exchange of knowledge and experience with partner countries.”

FAO Assistant Director-General, Thanawat Tiensin, said: ”This Forum brings together a wide range of stakeholders. Because protecting pollinators and supporting sustainable beekeeping is a shared responsibility. And only together can we succeed.”

Forum participants highlighted the importance of raising awareness about the role of pollinators in ecosystems and food security, presented successful field practices and fostered dialogue among beekeepers, researchers, policymakers, civil society and the private sector. 

Apimondia Acting President, Peter Kozmus, said: “It is important to point out that bees have been facing numerous challenges in recent times: pesticides, global climate change, and the disappearance of their natural habitats. Because of all these factors, people must come together to ensure that we preserve bees for the future. This is the main message of World Bee Day, which we want to share with as many people as possible: that each individual decides to do a little more for pollinators in the years ahead.”

Today's event also featured a live connection from Rome, where a special exhibition was inaugurated in the FAO Museum and Network by FAO Director-General QU Dongyu and Franc But, Slovenia's Ambassador to the Holy See in the Vatican and Permanent Representative to FAO in celebration of World Bee Day.

The forum, which brought together approximately 100 participants from international organizations, government agencies, research institutions, beekeeping and agricultural associations and other relevant stakeholders will continue tomorrow, with a special focus on honey quality, traceability, origin labelling and the search for effective solutions to enhance transparency and consumer confidence.

The first International Forum for Action on Sustainable Beekeeping and Pollination was organized in Slovenia in 2024 by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the FAO. The second forum, held in Ethiopia in 2025, was organized by the governments of Ethiopia and Slovenia and the FAO, with support from the Apimondia and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). 

The key achievements of this year's forum included identifying priorities for sustainable beekeeping development, strengthening international cooperation and collecting inputs towards the establishment of a Global Pollinator Platform. The forum also helps promote the use of innovative approaches, practices and tools for more effective protection of pollinators and the sustainable use of natural resources.

About World Bee Day

World Bee Day has been celebrated 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. FAO was nominated to facilitate the observance of World Bee Day.

Every year since then, this offers an opportunity to 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.