Last week, on 5 and 6 November, FAO Headquarters in Rome hosted the Global Pollinator Conference. Two days of discussion on how to protect pollinators and how to shape the Global Pollinator Platform, with the voice of key stakeholders at the table. FAO and Apimondia joined forces to make it possible, and today we would like to say thank you.

Thank you to FAO, and to the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, for a partnership that put beekeepers at the heart of the global pollinator agenda.

Thank you to the ministers and government representatives, and to the representatives of international organisations, who joined the high level discussions and showed how much pollinators matter for food security, biodiversity and livelihoods.

Thank you to all the panelists and moderators, from research institutions, development cooperation, grassroots organisations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, women and youth groups, and funding institutions, for sharing their knowledge and their ideas.

And thank you to all the participants, those who joined us in Rome and those who followed online, through a webcast with interpretation in the six UN languages. Your questions and contributions, especially in the interactive sessions, helped to shape the discussion on what the Platform should be.

A heartfelt thank you goes to the Apimondia representatives who were in Rome throughout the two days, to represent Apimondia and the voice of beekeepers:

Dr Peter Kozmus, Acting President of Apimondia; Riccardo Jannoni-Sebastianini, Secretary General of Apimondia; Dr Fani Hatjina, Chair of Apimondia’s Bee Health Commission; Megan Denver, Chair of Apimondia’s Rural Development Commission; Dr Orawan Duangphakdee, Chair of Apimondia’s Asia Regional Commission; Lauriane Mariamé, Apimondia Officer; and Veronica Manara, Apimondia Officer.

Apimondia will keep working for beekeepers, and keep bringing their voice to the global pollinator agenda.