20 May 2022
This day entered the calendar of environmental events at the initiative of Slovenia, which proposed to the United Nations (UN) that 20 May be proclaimed World Bee Day. On 20 December 2017, after three years of international efforts, UN Member States unanimously adopted Slovenia’s proposal, and 20 May was proclaimed World Bee Day.
The purpose of marking this day is to raise awareness of the importance of bees for biodiversity, life and social well-being, with the aim of promoting activities to ensure the conditions necessary for their survival. On the occasion of this event, the European Environment Agency is also organizing an awareness-raising activity today under the motto “Bee Engaged”.
Today, every third spoonful of food depends on pollination, while bee products are a rich source of essential nutrients. Bees are among the most important pollinators, contributing to food security, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity. They also contribute to climate change mitigation and environmental protection. In the long term, protecting bees and the beekeeping sector can help reduce poverty and hunger, as well as preserve a healthy environment and biodiversity.
Bees are also important for sustainable agriculture and the creation of jobs in rural areas. Through pollination, they increase agricultural production, thereby preserving diversity and variety in our fields and on our tables. In addition, they provide employment for millions of people and represent an important source of income for farmers.
However, scientific studies show that there are increasingly negative impacts on bee health, making them increasingly vulnerable. This, in turn, requires us to pay greater attention to their survival, as harmful factors reduce the resilience of bees, affecting their susceptibility to diseases and pests.
Furthermore, the threat to the survival of bees is also linked to environmental protection, as bees promote biodiversity in nature, have a positive impact on the entire ecosystem, and are a good indicator of the state of the environment.
As a measure to protect bees, some European Union countries have banned the use of certain pesticides that are harmful to bees.
In Kosovo, the beekeeping sector is also considered one of the important sectors with potential for the country’s economic development. Kosovo also has a specific law on beekeeping, and there are several associations that promote this sector. According to data from the Kosovo Agency of Statistics, the number of beehives in 2020 was 262,541.
“To produce one kilogram of honey, a bee must visit four million flowers and fly four times the distance around the planet.”
Illustrative photo: © Slovenian Beekeepers' Association