Event Information

Despite more than 75 percent of the world’s food crops depending partly on pollination, the existence of pollinators is increasingly threatened by man-made ecological conditions. The interruption of pollinators’ crucial work has, unfortunately, coincided with ongoing food system disruption resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

As we continue to face unique agricultural and environmental challenges, we must present creative solutions to improve the health and sustainability of the global agricultural community and its pollinators. From traditional to commercial sectors, employing sustainable practices in beekeeping and agriculture will be crucial to help pollinators survive and support a more secure global food system.

On World Bee Day, join FAO North America and the Embassy of Slovenia in Washington, DC for a dynamic webinar examining the vast challenges facing pollination efforts and the potential for creative development methods.

Keynote Addresses

Jože Podgoršek, Slovenian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry & Food

Congresswoman Susan Wild, U.S. Representative & 

Co-chair of the Congressional Apiary and Beekeeper Caucus

Opening Remarks

Ambassador Tone Kajzer of Slovenia to the U.S.

Vimlendra Sharan, Director, FAO North America

Panelists

Abram Bicksler, Agricultural Officer, FAO

Jamie Ellis, Director of Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, University of Florida

John Ferree, Apiarist for the Kennedy Center and Mount Vernon Colonies

Ladeja Godina Košir, Founder & Executive Director, Circular Change

Matt Willey, Artist of “The Good of the Hive”

Join the conversation on Twitter using #WorldBeeDay and #Savethebees.