World Bee Day is celebrated every year on 20 May. This year’s theme for their conservation is Bee Inspired by Nature to Nourish Us All. This message highlights the significant role that bees and other pollinators play in agri-food systems and the health of our planet’s ecosystems.

In fact, pollinators are increasingly threatened by habitat loss, unsustainable agricultural practices, climate change, pollution, and invasive species. Declining populations threaten species diversity, food production, increase costs and exacerbate food insecurity, especially for rural communities.

Pollination is essential for agri-food systems, supporting the production of more than 75% of the world’s crops, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. In addition to increasing yields, pollinators improve the quality and diversity of food.

On this day, forums and campaigns are held in Bulgaria, aimed at stimulating the exchange of scientific and practical experience and knowledge, presenting innovative initiatives in the field of sustainable beekeeping and pollination, inspiring global action for pollinator-friendly agricultural practices, and coordinating efforts to preserve and protect pollinators worldwide.

Additional information can be found at https://www.un.org/en/observances/bee-day and www.fao.org/plant-production-protection/news-and-events/events/event-detail/world-bee-day-2025/en

World Bee Day was declared on December 20, 2017 by a resolution of the UN General Assembly in New York and was voted for by 115 countries, including all of the European Union. More than 200000 animal species are pollinators, the majority of which are wild, including butterflies, flies, birds, bats, and more than 20000 species of bees. The day highlights the importance of protecting pollinators, which ensure the constant availability of fruits and vegetables that people consume.

Everyone can benefit bees, pollinators, ecosystems and themselves by taking simple actions:

• Join in celebrating World Bee Day;
• Plant bee-friendly flowers and plants in and around your home or yard;
• Plant hedges;
• Let pollinators fly without intentionally killing them;
• Create bee houses/insect hotels;
• Choose organic and sustainable foods;
• Buy honey and bee products from producers;
• Avoid the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides;
• Leave/protect bumblebee nesting sites.