The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), at its annual meeting, discussed the role of zoos and aquariums in achieving the conservation and awareness-raising targets of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020; formally endorsed the UN Decade on Biodiversity; and decided to develop a framework to guide the participation of zoos and aquariums in the achievement of the Strategic Plan.
14 October 2011: At its annual conference, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) formally endorsed the UN Decade on Biodiversity and decided to develop a framework to guide the participation of zoos and aquariums in the achievement of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.
At its 66th annual conference, hosted by the Prague Zoo, from 2-6 October 2011, WAZA members discussed the role of zoos and aquariums in achieving the conservation and awareness-raising targets of the Strategic Plan. Addressing the conference, Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), underscored the importance of “the engagement of WAZA members” for achieving “the first Aichi biodiversity targets and engaging the people of the world, and in particular the youth and children, in our common battle to safe life on Earth.” [CBD Communiqué] [WAZA Press Release]