In 2021, the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, Slovenia, together with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, will be seeking to shine a spotlight on the important role of the creative economy in protecting bees and other pollinators. It is architects, designers, artists, and other creators who are placing beehives in urban areas and putting the need to protect bees on the residents’ mind map of sustainable development. 

In addition to this, Slovenia is promoting sustainable development in foreign policy within the so-called Green Group, together with Cabo Verde, Costa Rica, Iceland, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. In their joint statement, the Green Group members stressed their commitment to the protection of bees and their natural habitat.

In the statement, the role of pollinators in food security, farming, preserving biodiversity, and their beneficial effects on the entire ecosystem are highlighted as examples of good practice. In Slovenia’s case, this translates into active engagement in support of sustainable beekeeping and raising awareness about the role of pollinators at both national and international levels. On 20 May, Slovenia and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) co-hosted the “Bee engaged: Build Back Better for Bees” event. 

In 2017, the United Nations designated 20 May was World Bee Day on Slovenia’s initiative.

Videos on creative projects aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators:

Urban beekeeping
Creative solutions for bee houses