Every year on 20 May, the world celebrates World Bee Day to recognize the essential role of bees and other pollinators in sustaining ecosystems and food security. Established by the United Nations, this global observance aims to raise awareness about the threats pollinators face and promote actions to protect them. In 2025, the theme “Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all” emphasizes the connection between pollinators, agrifood systems, and biodiversity.
Why in News?
World Bee Day 2025 is being observed globally on May 20, with the theme focusing on how nature-based solutions and pollinators like bees can support sustainable food systems, reduce hunger, and help mitigate the biodiversity crisis. With bee populations declining rapidly due to human activity, this year’s awareness drive holds critical significance.
Importance of Pollinators
- Nearly 90% of wild flowering plants and over 75% of food crops globally rely at least in part on animal pollination.
- Pollinators like bees, butterflies, bats, hummingbirds, and birds ensure food diversity, crop yields, and improved food quality.
- Over 200,000 animal species serve as pollinators, including more than 20,000 bee species.
2025 Theme: “Bee Inspired by Nature to Nourish Us All”
- Highlights how bees support agrifood systems.
- Points to the role of pollinators in combating climate change, ensuring food security, and sustaining ecosystem health.
- Emphasizes nature-friendly agriculture such as agroecology, intercropping, and agroforestry.
Current Threats to Pollinators
- Human activities like intensive farming, mono-cropping, pesticide use, deforestation, and urbanization are causing pollinator decline.
- Climate change raises extinction rates — 35% of invertebrate and 17% of vertebrate pollinators are at risk.
- This threatens nutrition, increases food prices, and jeopardizes rural livelihoods.
Global Initiatives
- The United Nations established World Bee Day to create awareness and promote pollinator protection.
- The International Pollinator Initiative (IPI) was launched in 2000 at the CBD COP-5.
Goals
- Monitor pollinator decline
- Address taxonomic knowledge gaps
- Assess the economic impact of pollination
- Protect pollinator diversity
FAO’s Role
- FAO leads the coordination of IPI.
- Provides technical assistance for queen breeding, artificial insemination, and honey production.
- Encourages sustainable practices for export and conservation.
What Can Be Done?
As Individuals
- Plant native flowers with varied bloom times.
- Avoid chemicals like pesticides and fungicides.
- Support local honey producers.
- Create bee water bowls and protect wild colonies.
As Farmers/Beekeepers
- Diversify crops and reduce pesticide use.
- Plant hedgerows or bee-attracting plants.
As Governments/Policymakers
- Involve local and indigenous communities in planning.
- Provide incentives for pollinator-friendly agriculture.
- Increase international collaboration and monitoring.