“The idea came to me on 15 September 2014 around 6.30 in the morning as I was listening to the radio while driving to the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association (SBA). A world day was mentioned and I found myself wondering why there wasn’t a world day dedicated to bees, given the fact that every third bite we consume depends on bees and they have become increasingly endangered. At least once a year, the world should be made aware that there would be no life without bees...
On the very same morning, I emailed my senior SBA colleagues, suggesting that we should propose to the United Nations that 20 May, the day that we celebrate the birth of the pioneering teacher of modern apiculture, Anton Janša, be proclaimed World Bee Day. The initiative has won over everyone, including the SBA bodies, Dejan Židan, the Minister of Agriculture, high-ranking government officials, as well as Apimondia, the global beekeeping organisation. In short, the initiative is now supported by the entire world.”
The “date of birth” of the World Bee Day idea (conceived by the President of the Slovenian Beekeepers' Association, Boštjan Noč, while listening to the radio)
26 September
2014
Written support by the Minister of AFF
Written support issued by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, Dejan Židan, stating that the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food would strive to realise the World Bee Day initiative.
6 October
2014
Support from the President of RS
President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, supports the World Bee Day initiative.
2015
25 February
2015
Support from the National Council of the RS
The World Bee Day initiative is supported by the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia.
14- 15 March
2015
ApiSlovenija
The World Bee Day initiative is presented to the beekeeping community at the ApiSlovenija trade fair.
2 April
2015
The Slovenian government adopts the SBA’s initiative
On the initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, the Slovenian government adopts the SBA’s initiative to have 20 May declared World Bee Day.
16 April
2015
The Initiative is presented to the EU Parliament
The World Bee Day initiative is presented to the Members of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Parliament.
11 May
2015
EU Council for Agriculture and Fisheries
The World Bee Day initiative is presented to the ministers at the EU Council for Agriculture and Fisheries.
20 May
2015
Project team tasked with coordinatingthe activities seeking support
The establishment and first meeting of the project team tasked with coordinating the activities seeking support to file a proposal by the Republic of Slovenia that the United Nations declare World Bee Day.
9 June
2015
Secretary-General of Apimondia
The World Bee Day initiative is presented to the Secretary-General of Apimondia.
10 June
2015
The Iinitiative is presented to the UN FAO
The World Bee Day initiative is presented to the FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva and the chairs of the FAO Regional Groups.
15–20 September
2015
APIMONDIA backs the Initiative
APIMONDIA backs 20 May as World Bee Day at its 44th International Congress in Daejeon, South Korea
15–20 September 2015
16 September
2015
The Initiative at the 70th session of the UN General Assembly
The World Bee Day initiative is highlighted in the address delivered by the Slovenian Prime Minister, Miro Cerar, at the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
24 October
2015
UN Open Day in the Palace of Nations
The World Bee Day initiative is presented at the UN Open Day in the Palace of Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, upon the 70th anniversary of the organisation.
21-23 October
2015
Conference Coloss, Brdo pri Lukovici
The World Bee Day initiative is presented at the 11th Coloss Conference, Brdo pri Lukovici.
2016
12 March
2016
An international round table
An international round table entitled 20 May, World Bee Day – an opportunity for all, and the adoption of a communiqué in support of the project.
4-6 May
2016
FAO European Regional Conference
The World Bee Day initiative is presented at the FAO European Regional Conference in Turkey.
20 May
2016
The round table "Bees and Sustainable Development"
A visit by the FAO Director-General, José Graziano da Silva, to Slovenia and a round table entitled Bees and Sustainable Development, Ljubljana.
20 May
2016
Round table "World Bee Day"
A round table entitled World Bee Day: To Bee or Not To Bee, New York
13 June
2016
Bee Week in the European Parliament
The World Bee Day initiative is presented at Bee Week in the European Parliament, Brussels.
16 September
2016
The Initiative at the 71st session of the UN General Assembly
The World Bee Day initiative is highlighted in the address delivered by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, at the 71st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
26-30 September
2016
FAO Committee on Agriculture, Step 1
The World Bee Day initiative is presented at the FAO Committee on Agriculture in Rome (Step 1 of the formal procedure within the FAO), and the Bee World pavilion is unveiled.
13 October
2016
Grand opening of the Bee World pavilion
Grand opening of the Bee World pavilion at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia
5-9 December
2016
FAO Council in Rome, Step 2
The World Bee Day initiative is presented to the FAO Council in Rome (Step 2 of the formal procedure within the FAO)
2017
3-7 July
2017
Resolution approval, submission for discussion
The FAO Conference approves the resolution and adopts a decision to submit it for discussion and adoption at the UN General Assembly in New York.
17 November
2017
The resolution is unanimously adopted
The resolution is unanimously adopted at a plenary session of the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly. In addition to Slovenia, 115 countries join the resolution as co-sponsors.
20 December
2017
20 May proclaimed as World Bee Day
The United Nations General Assembly in New York unanimously adopts the decision to proclaim 20 May World Bee Day.
