Ever heard of 'Bee Diplomacy'?

Well the MedBEESinessHubs team in Cyprus is privileged to have met Ambassador Tamara Weingerl-Požar from Slovenia in order to explore the potential of joint cooperation on beekeeping and protection of bees in the wider Mediterranean region. The MedBEESinessHubs project activities caught the attention of the Ambassador who arranged to meet up at the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 25th April 2023 and discussed possible ways of concrete collaboration.

Slovenia was actually the initiator that proposed the establishment of the World Bee Day, a proposal supported by numerous countries and organizations, resulting to the United Nations declaring May 20th as World Bee Day in 2017.

But what does Diplomacy have to do with the Bees? Bee Diplomacy refers to the use of beekeeping and bee-related initiatives as a tool for fostering international relations, promoting environmental sustainability, and enhancing economic development. While Bee diplomacy initiatives can take many forms, such as the exchange of beekeeping knowledge and techniques between countries, the establishment of bee reserves and protected areas, and the promotion of sustainable beekeeping practices. These initiatives can promote international cooperation and build bridges between communities, governments, and organizations.

Moreover, bee diplomacy can have positive economic impacts by supporting rural development, creating job opportunities, and promoting local tourism. For example, the production of honey and other bee products can provide an important source of income for small-scale beekeepers, and apitourism can attract visitors to rural areas and promote local businesses. Does this ring any bells? This is exactly what the MedBEESinessHubs project comes down to, the very essence of our project. It is for this reason that we are rightfully proud to be acknowledged in this arena, the arena of Bee Diplomacy!

Because our project is definitely not just about the honey.

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