The visit of the President of the International Federation of Beekeeping Associations Apimondia, Mr. Gilles Ratia, and the Members of the Apimondia Executive Council to Ukraine

The official visit of the President of the International Federation of Beekeeping Associations Apimondia, Mr. Gilles Ratia, to Ukraine was held on 8-15 April 2013. Simultaneously the Organizing Committee of the XXXXIII International Apicultural Congress received the honored guests – the Members of Apimondia Executive Council on 11-15 April 2013 in Ukraine.

A number of important events were held during the visit of Apimondia President and the Members of Apimondia Executive Council. These events were as follows: the protocol session of the Apimondia Executive Council, the meeting of the members of Apimondia Executive Council with the Partners of the Organizing Committee of the XXXXIII International Apicultural Congress, the visit of the members of Apimondia Executive Council to the International Exhibition Center – the venue of the future Congress, and the press conference dedicated to the topical issue of colony loss and the methods of bee preservation.

Apimondia Executive Council held protocol session on 12-14 April 2013. During the session important issues of the Federation were discussed. The Members of Apimondia Executive Council listened to the report of the Organizing Committee of the XXXXIII International Apicultural Congress on the preparation stage of the XXXXIII International Apicultural Congress. The Managing Board of Apimondia especially noted the success achieved by the Organizing Committee in terms of the Congress preparation.

Present persons:

The Members of Managing Board of the International Federation of Beekeeping Associations Apimondia:

The President of the International Federation of Beekeeping Associations Apimondia Mr. Gilles Ratia

The Vice President of the International Federation of Beekeeping Associations Apimondia Mr. Lucas Daniel Martínez

The Secretary General of the International Federation of Beekeeping Associations Apimondia Mr. Riccardo Jannoni-Sebastianini

The Presidents of the Scientific Commissions of the International Federation of Beekeeping Associations Apimondia:

Beekeeping Economy – Dr. Dinh Quyet Tam

Bee Biology – Prof. Dr. Karl Crailsheim

Beekeeping Technology and Quality – Mr. Etienne Bruneau

Apitherapy – Dr. Theodore Cherbuliez

Beekeeping for Rural Development – Dr. Nicola J. Bradbear

The Presidents of Regional Commissions of the International Federation of Beekeeping Associations Apimondia:

Americas – Mr. José Gomercindo Corrêa da Cunha

Europe – Mr. Philip McCabe

Oceania – Ms. Maureen Maxwell

Apimondia Representatives:

Mr. Fillippo Jannoni-Sebastianini

Ms. Ulrike Nöhrer

The Director of the Beekeeping Technology and Economy Institute (FIITEA) in Bucharest – Mr. Christian Constantinescu

The FIITEA Representative – Ms. Marta Giogia

Apimondia Executive Council, the Organizing Committee of the XXXXIII International Apicultural Congress, the Presidents of Scientific Commissions of Ukraine, the Partners of the Organizing Committee and the Heads of Regional Divisions of the All-Ukrainian Nongovernmental Organization “Brotherhood of Ukrainian Beekeepers” held joint official meeting on 13 April 2013.

The President of the Organizing Committee presented to the guests the Presidents of Scientific Commissions of Ukraine, the Heads of the Partner companies of the Organizing Committee, the Heads of Regional Divisions of the “Brotherhood of Ukrainian Beekeepers” and the united team of the Organizing Committee.

All the members of the meeting were invited to the Ukrainian reception in the restaurant “Trypilla” after the meeting. The friendly ambience of the reception provided a fine environment for making useful contacts and talks about beekeeping. The guests were discussing the Plenary Session, the success of the Organizing Committee in preparing the Congress and the Congress to be held in September-October.

Apimondia President and the Members of Apimondia Executive Council visited the premises of the International Exhibition Center (IEC), where the XXXXIII International Apicultural Congress will be held. The Organizing Committee showed the IEC First Hall to be the venue of ApiExpo 2013, the IEC Second Hall to be the venue of Delegates Registration, the Opening and Closing Ceremony, the Scientific Program, the World Beekeeping Awards, the Social and Cultural Projects. The Members of Apimondia Executive Council could also see one of the conference halls to be the venue of plenary sessions.

The Delegation of the Organizing Committee of the XXXXIV International Apicultural Congress in South Korea participated in the events on 12-14 April 2013. The guests from Korea were interested in the organization of the Kyiv Apimondia Congress wishing to study the positive experience of the Ukrainian colleauges.

Apimondia President, Mr. Gilles Ratian, and the Members of Apimondia Executive Council were satisfied with their official visit to Kyiv and with the stage of Apimondia Congress preparation in Ukraine. They were impressed by the professionalism of the Organizing Committee. The guests were satisfied with the warm reception and the hospitality of the Ukrainians. They noted and pointed out that they look forward to returning to Ukraine in September-October 2013.