2017 – UNITED NATIONS DECLARED 20 MAY WORLD BEE DAY
New York, 20th December2017,The United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution declaring 20 May as World Bee Day. Every year on this day, the attention of the global public will be drawn to the importance of preserving bees and other pollinators .
People will be reminded of the importance of bees for the entire humanity and invited to take concrete action to preserve and protect them.
The resolution was co-sponsored by 115 UN Member States, including the USA, Canada, China,the Russian Federation, India, Brazil, Argentina, Australia and all the European Union Member States. Link this to www.worldbeeday.org
By observing World Bee Day each year, we can raise awareness on the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy, and on the many challenges they face today. We have been celebrating this day since 2018, thanks to the efforts of the Government of Slovenia with the support of 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, 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.
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.
Raising awareness about the importance of bees and bee products has an important role in the effort of protecting bees and the beekeeping sector. The objective of the initiative is to contribute significantly to international cooperation in tackling global challenges in terms of global food security, eradication of hunger and malnutrition and preserving the environment from further losses in biodiversity and degradation of ecosystem services. The initiative alas aims to support global efforts towards Sustainable Development Goals.
20 May 1734 – Breznica, Slovenia Birth of Anton Janša, who came from a long line of beekeepers, became a pioneer of modern apiculture. Bees were a frequent topic of conversation with neighbouring farmers, who would gather at the village and discuss farming and bee-keeping practices.
1766 – Anton enrolled in the first bee-keeping school in Europe.
1769 – Janša worked fulltime as a beekeeper.
1771 – Published the book Discussion on Bee-keeping in German.
1773 – Death of Jansa by typhus.
2016 – At the FAO Regional Conference for Europe, the Republic of Slovenia proposed World Bee Day to be celebrated on 20 May each year, with the support of Apimondia, the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Association.
2017 – Proposal for World Bee Day was submitted for consideration at the 40th Session of FAO Conference.
2017 – UN General Assembly unanimously proclaimed 20 May as World Bee Day.
20 May 2018 – First Observance of World Bee Day.
2018 – West Pokot County, Kapenguria (1st, World Bee Day)
In Kenya, the first World Bee Day was celebrated in West Pokot County which was presided by Permanent Secretary of Livestock, Hon. Harry Kimtai. The event was organized by Apiculture Platform of Kenya secretariat together with the West Pokot County Government.
The event took three days where there was an excursion and visits to West Pokot Beekeepers Cooporative Society, CABESI and Kapenguria Museum on the first day. The second day was dedicated for Symposium where presenters discussed issues affecting beekeeping sector in Kenya. The third day which was 20th May 2018, the celebration started with Awarenes Walk through Kapenguria town to the venue.
2019 – Nairobi County, Railways Club Ground (2nd World Bee Day)
The second World Bee Day took place in Nairobi County at Railways Club Ground in May 20th. The event was funded by The National Government, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO), KCB Foundation, Equity Group Foundation and Members.
The even was presided over by Principal Secretary (the Hon. Harry Kimtai) and other Dignitaries including, UNFAO Country Representative, Director of Livestock (Dr Julius Kiptarus) among others. (Attach the 2019 World Bee Day report)
2020 – Kitui County,
Theme “Bee Engaged”
This event was to take place in this year (2020) but due to Covid 19 pandemic, it was not possible to hold it.
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