Cali, Colombia. 28 October: As the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, zoos and aquariums, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), is dedicated to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats around the world.

In supporting the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, WAZA presented the WAZA Members’ Commitment to Biodiversity Conservation, our commitment to strengthening the role of zoos and aquariums in global biodiversity conservation, at the CBD COP currently underway in Cali, Colombia.

The biodiversity crisis has never been as severe as it is today with as many as two million species at risk of extinction, highlighting the need for urgent, decisive and collective action. WAZA, and the signatories of this declaration, support Reverse the Red, focused at the species level on targeted species recovery actions and at the national level, establishing and supporting civil society networks to catalyse and streamline conservation action to support Parties delivering on National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). This is a unique opportunity to unify our community’s efforts and expertise towards a common strategy to halt extinctions and recover populations. 

WAZA CEO, Dr Martín Zordan said, “By aligning our extensive expertise and resources with national and international frameworks, WAZA members are positioned to make an unprecedented contribution to global biodiversity goals. This declaration demonstrates our members’ unwavering commitment to conservation excellence. By working collaboratively and strategically, we will accelerate our efforts to protect and restore biodiversity for future generations.”

The declaration builds upon WAZA members’ existing conservation achievements while setting a clear path forward for increased impact. WAZA member institutions are uniquely positioned to advance conservation action and public engagement.

Reverse the Red’s Strategy Director Michael Clifford said: “achieving our ambitious global targets to restore species populations will take all of us working together. The zoos and aquariums committing their expertise, passion and resources to this task are critical partners in this effort. Together, with these conservation leaders, we can reverse the biodiversity loss trends shown on the The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.”

​​The commitment actively advances the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, strengthening global partnerships to halt species extinctions, reverse population declines, and protect vital ecosystems for future generations.