International forum in Slovenia strengthens efforts for sustainable beekeeping and the protection of pollinators

Group photo | Author Nebojša Tejić/STA

Bees and other pollinators play a crucial role in ensuring food security, preserving biodiversity and maintaining the resilience of ecosystems. Forum participants emphasised that sustainable beekeeping can significantly contribute to reducing poverty, improving nutrition and promoting social inclusion while strengthening the stability of agricultural production and increasing resilience to environmental challenges.

Nevertheless, pollinators face many threats today, including habitat loss, changes in land use, intensive farming, climate change, agrochemical use and the spread of diseases and invasive species. For this reason, particular attention at the forum was devoted to finding effective solutions to protect them.

This year's forum is being held under the title "Science, innovation and policy actions for a more sustainable future", further strengthening efforts to promote decisive international action. The event provides a platform for sharing good practices and professional expertise, showcasing innovations and discussing practical steps for the development of sustainable beekeeping and the protection of pollinators.

In her opening address, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Mateja Čalušić, said: "Slovenia is a country of beekeepers, Carniolan bees and a wealth of knowledge that has been passed down from generation to generation. At the same time, we also aspire to be a country of modern solutions, research, international cooperation and collaboration across various sectors - from agriculture and science to education and environmental protection."

FAO Assistant Director-General, Thanawat Tiensin, said: "This Forum brings together a wide range of stakeholders. Because protecting pollinators and supporting sustainable beekeeping is a shared responsibility. And only together can we succeed."

Over the years, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, in collaboration with diplomatic missions abroad, has carried out more than 300 beekeeping projects to promote Slovenian beekeeping expertise and raise awareness of the importance of pollinators.

Darja Bavdaž Kuret, Ambassador and Special Envoy from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, said: "Our ambition remains clear: to strengthen environmental and social responsibility, develop innovative approaches and technologies, and foster knowledge and experience exchange with partner countries."

Forum participants highlighted the importance of raising awareness about the role of pollinators in ecosystems and food security, presented successful field practices and fostered dialogue among beekeepers, researchers, policymakers, civil society and the private sector.

Apimondia Acting President, Dr Peter Kozmus, said: "Bees have faced numerous challenges in recent years: pesticides, global climate change and the loss of their natural habitats. For all these reasons, we must come together to try to preserve the bees for future generations. This is the main message of World Bee Day, which we want to convey to as many people as possible: that each individual should resolve to do a little more for pollinators in the future."

Today's event also featured a live report from Rome, where a special exhibition was inaugurated in the FAO Museum in celebration of World Bee Day by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu and Franci But, Slovenia's Ambassador to the Holy See in the Vatican.

The forum, which brings together approximately 100 participants from more than 20 countries, representing international organisations, government agencies, research institutions, beekeeping and agricultural associations and other relevant stakeholders, will continue tomorrow, with a special focus on honey quality, traceability, origin labelling and the search for effective solutions to enhance transparency and consumer confidence.

The first International Forum for Action on Sustainable Beekeeping and Pollination was organised in Slovenia in 2024 by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the FAO. The second forum, held in Ethiopia in 2025, was organised by the governments of Ethiopia and Slovenia and the FAO, with support from the Apimondia and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

The key aims of this year's forum included identifying priorities for sustainable beekeeping development, strengthening international cooperation and collecting inputs towards the establishment of a Global Pollinator Platform. The forum also helps promote the use of innovative approaches, practices and tools for more effective protection of pollinators and the sustainable use of natural resources.