World Bee Day 2026; May 20th.

FORUM: "Bee together for people and the planet: A partnership that sustains us all." World Bee Day 2026. For millennia, bees and people have shared a close and evolving connection, shaped by the ways communities across the world have relied on bees for food and livelihoods, with bees often becoming part of their cultural identity. From honey hunting to a large variety of beekeeping systems, this relationship has continually adapted to different environments, technologies, and socio-cultural needs. The observance of the World Bee Day 2026 focuses on how humans and bees have been working together to nourish and sustain people and the environment. It will highlight the evolution of beekeeping across diverse cultures and landscapes over thousands of years, while promoting innovative approaches that improve bee production and health, and support the livelihoods of beekeepers, including women and youth. It will also emphasize how both traditional knowledge and modern technologies can contribute to sustainable beekeeping, and how partnerships and inclusive approaches can help secure a sustainable future for both pollinators and people, while advancing the transformation of agrifood systems. This theme aligns closely with the International Year of Rangeland and Pastoralists 2026 and the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, offering valuable opportunities to reflect on the role of beekeeping in rural and pastoral livelihoods and its contribution to women’s empowerment. Follow the conversations with the hashtags; #SustainableBeekeeping, #Pollination, #savethebees, #worldbeeday, #beekeepers, #20May.

 EVENTS: On May 20th, the Celebration of the World Bee Day 2026 at FAO HQ will be held.

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. 
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. Register to participate!

From 20 to 21 May | Maribor, Slovenia - Third International Forum for Action on Sustainable Beekeeping and Pollination.

 On May 27th | 11:30-13:00 | Geneva, Switzerland.  World Bee Day 2026: Bee Together for People and the Planet.

18 May | Rome, Italy on  Apilogo - art installation dedicated to wild bees and their conservation


.

.

Events: Hundreds of activities and events are being organized worldwide to promote the World Bee Day. Feature your event on the interactive map.

Watch: Look and share the #WorldBeeDay video on social media and among your networks.

PUBLICATION: Explore the Bee together for people and the planet - Get involved guide!

Visual identity: Bees are essential for pollination, biodiversity, and a sustainable future. Let’s come together to: Preserve Biodiversity, Protect Bees and Promote Sustainability.

Social Media Trello board: Inform, educate and engage audiences with real facts. Join the campaign by sharing our free material on digital channels.

STORIES: Building climate resilience through people, pollinators and ecosystems: On World Bee Day, the Food Security and Agriculture: Accelerating Adaptation (SAGA 2) project has a story to tell!

LIVESTREAM: Celebration held by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) at the SMVEC. In honoring the tiny pollinators that make a huge impact on our planet, this special celebration  organized by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), the Ministry of MSME, and the Government of India, in collaboration with leading academic and innovation institutions. The Expert talks on beekeeping & biodiversity; Awareness on sustainable ecosystems following by Live sessions with researchers, innovators & entrepreneurs on the Importance of honey bees in agriculture and food security.

World Bee Day 2024; May 20th.

FORUM: “Bee engaged with Youth”. World Bee Day 2024. Bees and other pollinators are essential for our existence, sustaining agriculture and biodiversity worldwide. With over 20,000 species of bees and various other wild pollinators, they face challenges from human activities, such as habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. In recognition of the pivotal role that youth can play in addressing challenges bees and other pollinators are facing, the theme of World Bee Day 2024 will highlight the importance of involving young people in beekeeping and pollinator conservation efforts, recognizing them as the future stewards of our environment. This year's the World Bee Day 2024 campaign aims to raise awareness among youth and other stakeholders about the essential role of bees and other pollinators in agriculture, ecological balance, and biodiversity preservation. By engaging young people in beekeeping activities, educational initiatives, and advocacy efforts, we can inspire a new generation of environmental leaders and empower them to make a positive impact on the world. Fostering more diverse agricultural systems and reducing reliance on toxic chemicals can facilitate increased pollination. This approach can improve food quality and quantity, benefiting both human populations and the ecosystem. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #worldbeeday, #20May, #SavetheBees.

EVENTS: On May 22nd, The Government of Slovenia and FAO organize the International forum for action on sustainable beekeeping and pollination; This hybrid event entitled “Bees for people, planet and peace” will be held from the FAO headquarters starting at 09.00 GMT. The event brings together governments, experts, business and civil society to give a regular fresh impetus to the international cooperation on beekeeping and pollination and to align it with the quickly changing needs. It also provides a platform to share experience from beekeeping and pollination development projects and initiatives around the globe – to learn and get inspired by them. The forum will provide an opportunity for in-depth dialogue and reflection. Tune up to watch the livestream!

Worldwide events

• In Geneva May 21st, 2024; The celebration of World Bee Day will take place at the Palace of Nations. Find out more
• In Slovenia; From 22 to 23 May 2024; will be held the International Forum for Sustainable Beekeeping. Find out more
• In Madrid, Spain; From June 15 to 16th will be held the Bee Health Symposium 2024. Find out more and register

INITIATIVES: Learn about the FAO's Global Action on Pollination Services for Sustainable Agriculture and about the TECA - Technologies and Practices for Small Agricultural Producers.

PUBLICATIONS: Guidance, tools and analysis on bees and other pollinators.

BEE TALKS

• What are the first signs of swarming?
• Did my bees really swarm twice? 
• Why did some bees stay in the hive when it swarmed? Can I cut swarm cells out of my hive? 
• I see a lot of pollen in my honey supers. Should I worry?
• How can I use a double deep to manage swarms? 
• When using a double screen, can I put the queen in the top box?
• How do I know when to add another brood box? Should I treat with oxalic acid right now? 
• Should I cyclically treat using oxalic acid? What are the requirements for selling honey in Connecticut?

• Welcome and announcements Watch transparent hive creation & follow along (more discussion) 
• Early season package installation cautions & reminders Do bees like to feed on forsythia?
• How do you grind pollen - what are the sizes etc.?
•  iNaturalist - how to use it and what CBA is doing to collaborate 
• View graph showing weight and temperature inside a colony (additional graph of another hive 
• What should I spray new bee packages with?
•  Walkthrough of oxylic acid label and instructions. 
• Is a dribble as effective as a vaporization? 
• Should I be feeding in March? 
• How will I know if my bees need food right now? 
• My bees haven’t eaten their sugar cakes - can I reuse them?
• Will the solar eclipse affect on my bees’ behavior? 
• What is checkerboard mite check? 
• What do the blocks mean on a sticky board?
• Can feeders be left on during vaporization treatment?
•  Which electric fencing do you recommend for bee yards? 
• Will it hurt my dogs? 
• Broodminder gave sensors to beekeepers in the eclipse trail to monitor activity Is there a certain time of day that is better for vaporization treatment?
• Is anyone using Slovenian hives in CT? 
• Can I convert from Langstroth? 
• Will bees get shocked by an electric fence?
• Do we need to worry about bees creating toxic honey if there is mountain laurel in our area?
• Should I put bacon on my bear fence? 
• No. No you should not. How’s the transparent hive doing?
• View additional graph showing temperature and sensor data in a different hive Excitement about transparent hive experiment

• Example of a bee carrying pollen 
• When do I install Supers? 
• How do I prevent mass hive death? 
• What’s the difference in modern mite reading methods? 
• When do I add a second hive box?
• How do I prevent beetle infestations? 
• When do I use an excluder?
• How can I encourage specific hive entrance use? 
• Can I buy “winter-proof” bees? 
• How does Thymol actually WORK? 
• Why do my royal jelly cells look empty? 
• How can I encourage specific hive entrance use? 
• Why are my frames moldy?
• Do I have too few bees? 
• Should I reverse my boxes? 
• How Is royal jelly harvested for sales? 
• When should I interfere with my bees?