Slovenia presents first international Golden Bee Prize

Prof. Dr. Lucas Alejandro Garibaldi from Argentina has been recognized for his pioneering achievements in promoting the importance of bees and other pollinators

The Golden Bee Prize was awarded for the first time yesterday at the House of the Carniolan Honey Bee in Višnja Gora. Prof. Dr. Lucas Alejandro Garibaldi from Argentina is the first recipient of the international award which was established by Slovenia last year to honour global achievements in the protection of bees and other pollinators. The award was presented by the President of the Republic Borut Pahor and was received by a representative of the Embassy of Argentina on behalf of the winner who followed the event via a video link from Argentina. 

Raising awareness of the importance and conservation of bees

An internationally recognized scientist and researcher, Prof. Garibaldi has been awarded for his contribution to raising awareness of the importance and conservation of bees and other pollinators around the world. At the same time, his work promotes biodiversity, healthy food production and improving people's quality of life.

Introducing the winner, Agriculture Minister and Chairman of the Golden Bee Prize Committee, Dr. Jože Podgoršek, said, as quoted by the government press service:

“With his dedication to improving the protection of all pollinators, Prof.Dr. Lucas Alejandro Garibaldi is a role model for other researchers and experts and a motivator for concrete protection activities at the global, national and local levels. The Golden Bee Prize proves once again that bees and other pollinators connect and unite us in a positive way."

“Nobel Prize” in the field of beekeeping

Slovenian President Borut Pahor congratulated the winner and said the importance of the Golden Bee Prize would grow every year on a global scale, becoming a "Nobel Prize" in the field of beekeeping.

17 candidates from Argentina, Austria, the Philippines, Georgia, Croatia, Iran, Germany, Slovakia, Serbia, Togo and Slovenia vied for the 2021 Golden Bee Prize, with Nadine Schuller from Austria, the Slovenian Beekeepers' Association and the A1 Slovenia, dd company receiving special mention.

Find more about the World Bee Day project on the FAO website.