Slovenia hosts Garden Tea Party on World Bee Day

PC: Society & Diplomatic Review

Slovenia proposed that the United Nations (UN) proclaim 20 May as World Bee Day. On 20 December 2017, following three years of international efforts, the UN Member States unanimously approved Slovenia’s proposal and 20 May was proclaimed World Bee Day.

On May 18th, Mrs. Petra Žerovnik Malovrh, spouse of the Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the UN, Ambassador Boštjan Malovrh, hosted a garden tea party for the United Nations Delegations Spouse's Club (UNDSC). The tea featured various bee themed crafts in celebration of International Bee Day with Slovenian honey delicacies and Slovenian soap and wax paper from bees wax and honey. The tea was held at the garden of the Slovenian Ambassador's residence where Ambassador Malovrh personally gave a speech about the importance of bees for Slovenia and to the world. The Ambassador highlighted how bees are some of the most important pollinators, ensuring food and food security, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity, and they significantly contribute to the mitigation of climate change and the conservation of the environment. In the long-term, the protection of bees and the beekeeping sector can help reduce poverty and hunger, as well as preserve a healthy environment and biodiversity.

Bees play an important role in nature, and for the survival of humankind too. In Slovenia, people are very aware of their incredible mission, so bee-keeping has strong roots in Slovenian tradition. Blooming meadows and forests are home to the Carniolan honeybee, an indigenous Slovenian sub-species of bees. It is known for its characteristics, such as docility, diligence, humility, and a great sense of orientation.

These characteristics are also seen in the people who take care of the bees and live with them. Throughout history, Slovenians have spread their extensive knowledge of the life and work of these hard-working insects around the world. Today, you can learn about the Slovenian bee-keeping tradition and the applications of bee products in very exciting ways. Slovenia breathes with bees, so it is no wonder that this was the birthplace of the idea of World Bee Day.

About UNDSC

Patron:

Mrs. Catarina Vaz Pinto, Spouse of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio

Guterres.

Executive Committee:

Ruta Paulauskiene (President, Lithuania), Petra Zerovnik Malovrh (Vice-President Slovenia),

Ranju Batra (Treasurer, U.S), Geraldine Kunstadter (U.S.), Manipreet Tina Koonjul (Mauritius), Kirsty Reid Hmoud (Jordan), Randa Ahmed (Egypt), Jeanne Gatete (Rwanda), Nassrin Irmoloo Zahedi