Our participation at COP16, Colombia, 2024
We joined forces with the Ministry of Environment in Peru as well as key local and international partners to bring a 3-min film to life that was screened at COP16 in the Peru Pavilion (Blue Zone). This video summarizes our joint efforts to safeguard Amazonian stingless bees as a flagship species to preserve the health of Amazonian ecosystems and the transmission of cultural knowledge.
Key partners include Institute of Investigation of the Peruvian Amazon; Earth Law Center; Ashaninka and Kukama indigenous groups
Live forum at COP16
On October 23, 2024, we were honored to present our work on safeguarding Amazonian stingless bees and indigenous knowledge at the Peru Pavilion during COP16 (Forum “Pollinator Management in Peru: Empowering Species for a Sustainable Future), invited by the Ministry of Environment. We secured a platform for our indigenous partners, Apu Cesar Ramos, Micaela Fernandez, and Richar Demetrio, who shared our collaborative efforts in scientific honey research, bee mapping, the impact of deforestation, and empowering female leadership in bee conservation. They also highlighted the involvement of indigenous youth as co-authors in these efforts. Dr. Cesar Delgado, a leading stingless bee expert and key advisor at ARI from the Institute of Investigation of the Peruvian Amazon, opened the session with insights from his decade-long research.
Special thanks to the Ministry of Environment, Verónica Cañedo, Fondo Socioambiental del Perú and Earth Law Center for their support.
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Delegation including indigenous partners, local scientists and representatives
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Micaela speaking about female pioneers in bee and Amazonian conservation
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Indigenous art with natural dyes and native honey sourced sustainably
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A traditional cushma (dress) showing bees as essential to indigenous culture
“Without native bees, there is no Amazon”
“Without modern science together with indigenous traditional knowledge, there is no biodiversity”
Policy Brief
Under the leadership of our conservation strategist, Freya Park, and in collaboration with indigenous, local, and international partners, we developed a Policy Brief advocating for the protection of stingless bees in the Peruvian Amazon. This brief, presented at COP16, is now being submitted for publication in an indexed journal to offer critical evidence supporting legislative reforms and the recognition of stingless bees' rights, their ecosystems, and the traditional knowledge that sustains them.
Special thanks to the Ministry of Environment for their support.
An Amazonian stingless bee collecting pollen from nearby medicinal plants
Article in Bee Culture Magazine
Photo by Luis Garcia
Stingless bees regenerate degraded ecosystems combating the effect of destructive deforestation practices in the Amazon Rainforest
Interview in Tree Hugger
Photo by Ana Sotelo