The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in celebration of World Bee Day 2022, warns of declining pollination services in many parts of the world.
According to FAO, so many gifts come from their tireless work, but bees and pollinators face many challenges today.
“Bees, pollinators, and many other insects are declining in abundance due to unsustainable agricultural practices, pesticides, pests and pathogens, habitat destruction, and climate crisis. We must act collectively to support, restore and enhance the role of bees, pollinators, and beekeeping.”
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu
Bees and other pollinators play a vital role in maintaining ecosystems, are critical for food production and livelihoods, and directly link wild ecosystems with agricultural production systems. Almonds, apples, coffee, and strawberries are all foods that we can enjoy thanks to the meticulous pollination activities of bees and other pollinating insects. In addition to food, these insects indirectly contribute to providing medicines and the production of fiber, biofuels, and other materials.
Bee engaged: celebrating the diversity of bees and beekeeping systems
The virtual event was attended by bee and pollinator experts worldwide. It featured discussions and stories from the field that highlighted not only the great benefits of these tiny creatures for humans and nature but also the threats and challenges these insects face today due to humans’ negative impact on the environment.
This year’s theme, “Bee engaged: celebrating the diversity of bees and beekeeping systems,” encourages us all to become involved because we can all do something to respect and protect these insects that do so much for us. In their interventions at the FAO event, experts drew attention to the importance of the diversity bees and beekeeping systems that exist around the world.
Beekeeping is an activity that goes beyond honey production and contributes to the achievement of many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since it can be done with limited resources and locally available materials, beekeeping provides a source of income for those living in extreme poverty, helping to improve the resilience and livelihoods of rural and indigenous communities.
“Beekeeping is a widespread and global activity, with millions of beekeepers, including Indigenous Peoples, depending on bees for their livelihoods and well-being. Indeed, indigenous peoples are crucial to the conservation of important genetic reservoirs and are often the only ones who know about local bee species and all their products and services.”
FAO
World Bee Day was established in 2017 through a United Nations resolution, following a proposal by the Government of Slovenia. This year’s event was again an opportunity to promote actions that governments, the private sector, organizations, civil society, and citizens can take to protect bees and other pollinators and their habitats, promote their diversity, and foster sustainable beekeeping practices.
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