World Bee Day 2025

About

For centuries bees, among the hardest working creatures on the planet, have benefited people, plants and the environment. By carrying pollen from one flower to another, bees and other pollinators enable not only the production of an abundance of fruits, nuts and seeds, but also more variety and better quality, contributing to food security and nutrition.  To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the United Nations designated 20 May as World Bee Day.

The goal is to strengthen measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators, which would significantly contribute to solving problems related to the global food supply and eliminate hunger in developing countries. We all depend on pollinators and it is, therefore, crucial to monitor their decline and halt the loss of biodiversity.

Giant representation of a bee in the Slovenia Pavilion at the Dubai World Expo 2020

This United Nations celebration raises awareness of the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy, and on the many challenges they face today. FAO has been celebrating this day since 2018, thanks to the efforts of the Government of Slovenia with the support of the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations 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 (1734–1773), 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. The Austrian Empress Maria Theresa appointed him to the post of permanent teacher of apiculture at the new School of Beekeeping in Vienna. He became well known even before his death. After 1775, all state beekeeping teachers had to teach the subject in accordance with his teachings and methods.

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.

2025 Theme: Bee Inspired by Nature to Nourish Us All

This year’s theme, “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 jeopardizes food production, increases costs and exacerbates food insecurity, particularly for rural communities.

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.

Bees and other pollinators also serve as indicators of environmental health, providing insights into ecosystems and the climate. Protecting pollinators also enhances biodiversity and critical ecosystem services, such as soil fertility, pest control, and air and water regulation.

Nature-friendly agricultural practices like agroecology, intercropping, agroforestry, and integrated pest management help sustain pollinators, ensuring stable crop yields and reducing food shortages and environmental impacts.

Deliberate pollinator protection efforts ultimately foster the conservation of other components of biodiversity, which enhances ecosystem services like pest control, soil fertility and air and water regulation. Adopting a holistic approach that ensures the long-term co-existence of agricultural practices for the production of food, fibre and fuel is needed for sustainable agrifood systems.

There is something all of us can do to safeguard the future of pollinators.

What’s the Buzz About?

The Role of Geneva

Various international and local organizations in Geneva are engaged in the protection and conservation of our biological diversity, including pollinators.

Events

World Bee Day 2025: Bees for Biodiversity

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Conservatory and Botanical Garden of the City of Geneva, the Permanent Mission of Slovenia, Permanent Mission of Ethiopia, Permanent Mission of Switzerland, and the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) with the support of the Geneva Environment Network will host a special in-person celebration marking World Bee Day 2025 and the International Day for Biological Diversity on Tuesday, 20 May 2025, from 15:00 to 16:30 at the Amarante Restaurant, Conservatory and Botanical Garden of the City of Geneva.  → Register for in person participation

Highlights

Other Events

Jet d'eau Illumination on World Bee Day

On the occasion of World Bee Day, the Jet d’Eau will be illuminated in yellow on 20 May 2025.