Unesco X Guerlain to launch bee preservation program for entrepreneurs

My Nguyen

My Nguyen

Supplied

Bees play a vital role in pollinating agricultural crops and wild plants, yet their populations are declining worldwide due to climate change and human activity, placing some species at risk of extinction.

In response, French luxury fragrance brand Guerlain has partnered with Unesco to launch the “Women for Bees” program in China’s Yunnan province, focusing on the preservation of the native Apis cerana bee.

The program aims to equip 45 entrepreneurial women with beekeeping skills over nine months. Based in the Xishuangbanna Biosphere Reserve, the initiative focuses on modern hive techniques, access to specialised resources, and promoting environmental awareness within local communities.

“As we expand the Women for Bees program in China, we are not only empowering women but at the same time reinforcing the delicate balance of local ecosystems,” said Claire Coletti, Guerlain’s global sustainability director.

In addition to improving the quality and benefits of honey production, Guerlain allows beekeepers to better benefit from the local markets and tourist destinations.

“By equipping them with the skills to manage hives and care for the bees, these women become essential pillars in the preservation and growth of the natural world that surrounds them,” said Coletti.

In 2022, the brand launched the training program in Cambodia in collaboration with Angelina Jolie, Unesco’s representative.

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