Under the coordination of the Bingöl University Pilot University Coordination Centre Unit (PİKOM), the ‘IIIrd International Beekeeping Research and Sustainable Rural Development Strategies Congress’ was held at the Bingöl University Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Congress Centre in collaboration with the Bingöl Governor's Office, Bingöl Municipality, Bingöl Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, and Bingöl Province Beekeepers' Association.
The opening ceremony of the congress was attended by Bingöl Governor Dr Ahmet Hamdi Usta, Bingöl Mayor Erdal Arıkan, Bingöl University Rector Prof. Dr Erdal Çelik, Bingöl Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Mehmet Fatih Aktay, GürAta-ZZEF Board Member Erkan Gürkan, Bingöl Provincial Beekeepers Association President Mehmet Ali Aba, Turkey Beekeepers Central Union President Ziya Şahin, and Azerbaijan Beekeepers Union President Elxan Elekberov.

Opening Ceremony and Speeches

The opening segment of the programme commenced with a moment of silence and the recitation of the Turkish National Anthem. Speeches were delivered by Erkan Gürkan, Member of the GürAta-ZZEF Board of Directors; Mehmet Ali Aba, President of the Bingöl Provincial Beekeepers Association; Ziya Şahin, President of the Turkish Beekeepers Central Union; Elxan Elekberov, President of the Azerbaijan Beekeepers Union; Mehmet Fatih Aktay, Director of Bingöl Provincial Agriculture and Forestry; Prof. Dr Erdal Çelik, Rector of Bingöl University; Erdal Arıkan, Mayor of Bingöl; and Dr Ahmet Hamdi Usta, Governor of Bingöl, each delivered a speech. The speeches emphasised the importance of the beekeeping sector in regional development, the effects of climate change on beekeeping, quality and sustainability in honey production, and the importance of international cooperation.
Presentation of the European Union Geographical Indication 2025 Registration Certificate for Bingöl Honey
As part of the congress, a presentation ceremony was held for the 2025 European Union Geographical Indication Registration Certificate for Bingöl Honey. The certificate was presented by Mr Mehmet Ali Aba, President of the Bingöl Provincial Beekeepers Association, Dr Ebubekir İzol, PIKOM Coordinator at Bingöl University, and Prof. Dr Abdurrahman Gül, Vice-Rector.

8th Bingöl Honey Competition Award Ceremony

The programme also included the 8th Bingöl Honey Competition award ceremony. Producers who placed in the competition were presented with plaques and certificates:
•The 3rd place award was presented by Prof. Dr. Erdal Çelik, Rector of Bingöl University.
•The 2nd place award was presented by Erdal Arıkan, Mayor of Bingöl.
•The 1st place award was presented by Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Usta, Governor of Bingöl.
Congress Sessions and Presentations During the congress sessions, numerous papers were presented on the scientific, economic and environmental dimensions of beekeeping, covering topics such as bee health, honey quality, production technologies, the effects of climate change and sustainable rural development strategies. Throughout the conference, academics and researchers from different countries shared innovative approaches in the beekeeping sector and exchanged knowledge at an international level.