The 11th Africa Day International Conference, organised under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor and in the framework of the Bled Strategic Forum, focused on the opportunities for cooperation between Africa and Europe in promoting responsible innovation and responsible governance of new technologies, as well as the role technology can play in shaping creative and cultural sectors.

State Secretary Stanislav Raščan is paying a working visit to Bratislava to talk about strengthening economic cooperation between Slovenia and Slovakia. He met with Lucia Kišš, Director General for Economic and Development Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the project Utility infrastructure development in Zlatoličje manufacturing zone - municipality Starše.

Prof. Lucas Alejandro Garibaldi received the award for his contribution to raising awareness of the importance and role of pollination in the functioning of ecosystems and the impact on people's well-being. He is an internationally renowned scientist and researcher from Argentina, who has contributed significantly to raising awareness of the importance and preservation of bees and other pollinators around the globe. His work also promotes biodiversity, healthy food production and a better quality of life.

Minister Jože Podgoršek attended the Agriculture and Fisheries Council. The European Commission reported on the market situation for agri-food products in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ministers adopted Council conclusions on vaccination as a complementary tool to current measures for the prevention and control of the highly pathogenic avian influenza. Numerous initiatives launched by member states were discussed as AOB items.

The Europe day event in Ulanbataar, Mongolia was held on the 24th of May. The opening speeches were delivered by H.E. Ambassador of the European Union to Mongolia, Ms. Axelle Nicaise, H.E. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Battsetseg Batmunkh, and the Governor of Ulaanbaatar Mr. Sumiyabazar Dolgorsuren, the Governor of the Capital City and the Mayor of Ulaanbaatar. The Slovenian booth was promoting the Slovenian Green Nature and Green sustainable Tourism program.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Mexican recognition of Slovenia on 22 May 1992, State Secretary Dr Stanislav Raščan held an audio-video conference with the Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs of Mexico, Carmen Moreno Toscano.

Prime Minister Janez Janša met today with the representatives of Fides – trade union of doctors and dentists of Slovenia.

Today, Prime Minister Janez Janša took part at a working meeting via videoconference before the forthcoming extraordinary session of the European Council.

Minister of Health Janez Poklukar addressed delegates at the 75th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO). The Assembly is being held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 22–28 May 2022. The theme of this year’s Health Assembly is ‘Health for peace, peace for health.’

From 17th to 19th May, Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration hosted an international cyber security exercise in nuclear facilities – KiVA2022, which represents the interface between nuclear safety, security, emergency preparedness and cyber security.

State Secretary Gašper Dovžan took part in the regular General Affairs Council session in Brussels. The state secretaries and ministers focused on the preparations for the special meeting of the European Council scheduled for 30 and 31 May 2022. They also exchanged views on how to follow up on the proposals of the Conference on the Future of Europe and continued the Article 7(1) TEU procedure relating to the hearing held by the Council on the values of the Union in Hungary.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs marked Slovenian Diplomacy Day, which is celebrated every year on 22 May, the anniversary of Slovenia’s admission to the United Nations.

This year’s Forest Week (23–29 May 2022) focuses on forest care, which is the main tool guiding forest development as the foundation of diligent forest management. All properly maintained forests have a diligent owner and professional forester. Contemporary forest care takes into account conventional forest care principles, is geared towards the streamlining of measures, subjecting a portion of the forest stands to natural regeneration, and closely adapts to natural and social circumstances and to forest management objectives in an environment with an unstable climate.

On May 21, a big event took place at the Right Queen Colonies farm in Spencer, Ohio, where the Consulate General celebrated all three Slovenian projects, which have been successfully implemented in Ohio and other US states for the past 3 years already: World Bee Day, Planting Honey-bee Friendly Plants Day, and Traditional Healthy Honey Breakfast .
Around 200 visitors were able to attend an educational workshop on beekeeping, see a bee farm and many other domestic animals, honey and wax products, taste honey dishes, learn about Amish life, and the younger visitors could attend children's program with games, bee workshops and ride in the Amish carriage. There was even a “World Bee Day” cake available!

International Geneva celebrates bees today to raise global awareness on the crucial role of bees and pollination for food security, the elimination of hunger and and biodiversity. This is the fifth time that World Bee Day is celebrated in Geneva after it was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2017 at Slovenia’s initiative with support of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

European Commission has approved the proposed amendments to Slovenia’s Operational Programme 2014-2020. The approval comes after 18 months of joint activities of the Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy (GODC) and line ministries related to the programming of the funding from the React-EU initiative.

Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy has approved EU funding for the call for proposals Provision of telecare services for patients with chronic diseases.

The second Golden Bee Award was awarded today on World Bee Day. Boštjan Noč, President of the Slovenian Beekeepers' Association, received the award. Alojz Kovšča, President of the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia, presented the award at the ceremony attended by Jože Podgoršek, Minister and Chair of the Golden Bee Award Committee, and Urška Klakočar Zupančič, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia. Numerous events were held around the world to celebrate today's World Bee Day.

State Secretary Dr Stanislav Raščan addressed via video link the participants of the festivities on World Bee Day in Ghana organised by the Ghana Beekeepers Association. He stressed the vital role of bees in ensuring food security and the value of expert exchanges between Slovenia and Ghana for the protection of bees.