On 20 December 2017, the UN General Assembly unanimously approved a resolution designating 20 May as World Bee Day, an initiative proposed by Slovenia with the support of Apimondia, the International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations, and co-sponsored by 115 countries from every region. First observed in 2018, the date honors the birthday of Anton Janša, a pioneering Slovenian beekeeper regarded as one of the founders of modern apiculture in the 18th century. The day raises awareness of the essential role bees and other pollinators play in pollinating crops — roughly a third of the world's food production depends directly or indirectly on pollination — as well as their importance for maintaining plant biodiversity. Bee populations face worrying declines in many regions due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. FAO and environmental organizations mark the day with awareness campaigns for farmers and the public on protecting bees, scientific forums on sustainable beekeeping, and initiatives encouraging pollinator-friendly planting in gardens and public spaces.