Date: Tuesday, 20 May 2025; 8th Annual Day.
Organizer: United Nations
Objectives:
The World Bee Day is annually observed for the following purposes:
- to recognize the fundamental role and contribution of bees and other pollinators for sustainable food production, biological diversity, and ecosystem health;
- to raise awareness of the worldwide decline of pollinator diversity and the risks that this implies for agriculture sustainability, human livelihoods, and food supplies;
- to promote and facilitate actions for the protection of bees and other pollinators.
Inception:
World Bee Day was officially held for the first time on 20 May 2018
History:
On 17 November 2017, following three years of international efforts, the United Nations Economic and Financial Committee adopted a resolution proclaiming 20 May as World Bee Day, which was proposed by Slovenia.
On 20 December 2017, the resolution (A/RES/72/211) was unanimously approved by the United Nations General Assembly in New York. All UN states supported it, and 115 countries also acted as co-sponsors.
The date was chosen because Slovenian Anton Janša, the beekeeping pioneer, was born in 1734. Moreover, May is the best time for pollination in the Northern Hemisphere and honey harvesting in the Southern Hemisphere.
Why do we mark World Bee Day?
Without bees and other pollinators, the global food supply would be in serious trouble. Bees play an essential role in the survival of our ecosystems. Nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species and more than 75% of the world’s food crops depend on pollinators. Not only do pollinators contribute directly to food security, but they are key to conserving biodiversity.
The protection of bees can help reduce poverty and eliminate hunger, as well as preserve a healthy environment and biodiversity. Unfortunately, scientific studies have proven that bees and other pollinators are increasingly threatened by human activities. Therefore, it is necessary to protect bees and their habitats.
How to observe World Bee Day?
Learn, share, and action!
Organizations and individuals can host educational and promotional events and activities to raise and spread awareness of issues related to bees and beekeeping.
Annual theme in recent years:
2025 theme: “Bee Inspired by Nature to Nourish Us All.”
2024 theme: ” Bee Engaged with Youth.”
2023 theme: “Bee Engaged in Pollinator-Friendly Agricultural Production.”
2022 theme: “Bee Engaged: Celebrating the Diversity of Bees and Beekeeping Systems.”
2021 theme: “Bee Engaged – Build Back Better for Bees.”
2020 theme: “Save The Bees.”
Official websites:
