The event will feature a representative from Brazil: Cristiano Menezes, researcher at Embrapa Environment. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will celebrate World Bee Day (May 20) through a virtual event this year: "Bee Engaged: Celebrating the diversity of bees and beekeeping systems". The celebration, which will open with a video message by FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, will raise awareness on the importance of the wide variety of bees and sustainable beekeeping systems, the threats and challenges they face and their contribution to livelihoods and food systems. The event features bee and pollinator experts and practitioners from across the world, including Cristiano Menezes, a researcher at Embrapa Environment and member of the Scientific Commitee A.B.E.L.H.A, representing Brazil. He will tell the story about how stingless beekeeping has been promoting change in people's lives. "This FAO event is a great opportunity to show the marvellous work Brazil has been doing in stingless beekeeping and its potential for the future to the world. The presence of bees around plantations, following the example of experiences with coffee, strawberry and açaí plantations, is the biggest proof that it is possible to combine agriculture with biodiversity conservation. It is a token of sustainability that will add a lot of value to our production", Cristiano Menezes asserts. Beekeeping is a widespread and global activity, with millions of beekeepers depending on bees for their livelihoods and well-being. Together with wild pollinators, bees play a major role in maintaining biodiversity, ensuring the survival and reproduction of many plants, supporting forest regeneration, promoting sustainability and adaptation to climate change, improving the quantity and quality of agricultural productions. Service FAO's virtual event to celebrate World Bee Day Bee engaged – Celebrating the diversity of bees and beekeeping systems May 20, 2022, 13:00–14:45 CEST Available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian. Click here to enroll. More information on FAO's website.