22 May | World Bee Day celebration from New York
Hybrid Event, 22/05/2023
'Bees and other pollinators: building resilience, supporting communities'
'World Bee Day 2023 celebration from New York
Co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Slovenia and Chile to the United Nations
and the FAO Liaison Office with the United Nations in New York
Monday, 22 May | 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM (EDT)
UNHQ Conference Room 9
Register | Live webcast | Concept note and agenda | Meet the speakers | More on World Bee Day 2023
BACKGROUND
Aimed at bringing global attention to the importance of bees and other pollinators, in 2017 and after three years of efforts led by the Government of Slovenia, the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution declaring 20 May as World Bee Day. Its first observance was held on 20 May 2018 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
The New York-based event aims at increasing awareness of bees and other pollinators and their contribution to environmental and social resilience. The event will showcase innovative pollinator projects and encourage an exchange of good practices of supporting communities.
WHY AN INTERNATIONAL DAY DEDICATED TO BEES?
Pollination is a fundamental process for the survival of our ecosystems. Nearly 90 percent of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend, entirely, or at least in part, on animal pollination, along with more than 75 percent of the world’s food crops and 35 percent of global agricultural land. Agricultural yields and production can increase thanks to pollination services in a highly efficient and cost-effective manner, while supporting vital ecosystem functions for nature, agriculture and human well-being.
However, intensive monoculture production and overuse of pesticides pose serious threats to bees and other pollinators by reducing their access to food and nesting sites, exposing them to harmful chemicals, weakening their immune systems, and decreasing biodiversity. The availability of resources in the environment is crucial for the survival of bees and pollinators.
By promoting sustainable agricultural practices that support pollinators, such as planting diverse crops, reducing pesticide use, and creating habitats for pollinators within and near crop production areas, we can help ensure that bees and other pollinators continue to play a critical role in the ecosystems and our food systems. Pollination has a positive impact on the environment in general, helping to maintain biodiversity and the vibrant ecosystems upon which agriculture and humanity depend. A wide variety of plants critical to human well-being and livelihoods require pollinators. In fact, bees and other pollinators provide the important ecosystem service of ensuring out-crossing (that is, crossing genes) and, thus, reproduction of many cultivated and wild plants.
Bees and other pollinators are fundamental for the health of ecosystems and food security.
WORLD BEE DAY 2023 THEME
World Bee Day 2023 calls for 'pollinator-friendly agricultural production'. The International Day will help highlight the importance of protecting bees and other pollinators, particularly through evidence-based agricultural production practices. World Bee Day events and celebrations will focus on the role of pollinators as key biological agents supporting agrifood systems through the highly effective and important ecosystem services that pollinators provide.