Apimondia

Apimondia is the international federation of beekeepers' associations, bringing together national beekeeping organisations from around the world; its roots go back to the end of the 19th century and its headquarters are in Rome. Its best-known activity is the International Apicultural Congress, held every two years in a different country. Türkiye is a member through the Turkish Central Union of Beekeepers (TAB) and hosted the congress in Istanbul in 2017 and 2022.

What is Apimondia?

Apimondia is an international federation that aims to support the scientific, ecological, social and economic development of beekeeping. Its members are not individual beekeepers but the national beekeeping organisations of each country. Thanks to this structure, beekeepers, researchers, honey traders, development experts and regulators from different parts of the world meet under one roof.

The federation's main function is to facilitate the exchange of knowledge: it organises congresses and symposia, brings experts together through scientific commissions, and tries to build common positions on global beekeeping issues.

History of Apimondia

Apimondia's roots lie in initiatives set up in the 1890s to organise international beekeeping congresses:

• 1893: A committee was formed for international beekeeping congresses.
• 1895: An international secretariat, the forerunner of today's federation, was established; Apimondia regards this as its founding year.
• 1897: The first International Beekeeping Congress was held in Brussels alongside a world's fair.
• 1949: Decisions taken at the congress in Amsterdam formalised today's federation structure.

Since then the congresses have become the largest international gatherings in the field of beekeeping.

What is the Apimondia congress and where is it held?

The International Apicultural Congress is held every two years, each time in a different country. It features scientific presentations, posters, workshops and field trips. The congress is usually accompanied by an equipment and product fair called ApiExpo, and an international awards competition is also held for bee products, beekeeping inventions and supplies.

The 47th congress was originally to be held in 2021 in Ufa, Russia; it was postponed to 2022 because of the pandemic and then moved to Istanbul. Türkiye hosting twice within a short interval shows the country's weight in world beekeeping. Between congresses, smaller symposia focusing on specific topics are held.

How does Apimondia work?

Scientific commissions

Experts work within seven scientific commissions:

• Beekeeping Economy
• Bee Health
• Bee Biology
• Pollination and Bee Flora
• Beekeeping Technology and Quality
• Apitherapy
• Beekeeping for Rural Development

The congress programme is also largely divided into sessions under these headings. A visiting beekeeper can get the most out of the programme by choosing the commission sessions that match their interests.

Regional commissions

Alongside the scientific commissions there are five regional commissions for different parts of the world. They make it easier to address region-specific problems and to exchange knowledge between member organisations.

Publications

The federation publishes a journal called Apiacta; congress papers are also shared as books of abstracts.

Türkiye and Apimondia

• Membership: According to its own statement, the Turkish Central Union of Beekeepers (TAB) has been a member of Apimondia since 2005.
• Hosting: The 45th congress (2017) and the 47th congress (2022) were held in Istanbul.
• What it means for beekeepers: Beekeepers in Türkiye can take part in international discussions through their national organisation; congress papers and commission work are also an area where Turkish researchers share their findings.

Main topics on Apimondia's agenda

• Bee health: Varroa and viruses, treatment resistance, new and spreading pests, colony losses.
• Honey quality and fake honey: The damage adulterated honey does to honest producers, and methods of analysis.
• Pollination: The role of bees in agriculture and the protection of pollinators.
• Rural development: Developing beekeeping as a livelihood in low-income regions.
• Climate and environment: Changing flowering calendars, loss of forage, pesticides.

Since the United Nations declared 20 May World Bee Day, awareness work on bees and pollinators has also taken an important place on the agenda of international beekeeping organisations.

How do you attend an Apimondia congress?

1. Follow the announcements: The venue and date of the congress are announced several years in advance; national associations also publicise them.
2. Register: The congresses are open to beekeepers; individuals can register as participants.
3. Choose your programme: Decide in advance which commission sessions and field trips interest you.
4. Present a paper or poster: If you want to share your research or field experience, watch for the call for papers.
5. Follow biosecurity rules: Clean your equipment and clothing after field trips; comply with regulations when bringing bees, comb or bee products back from abroad.