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Posted: 5 November 2026
WAZA has successfully concluded its 81st Annual Conference, held from 25 to 29 October 2026 and hosted by Cologne Zoo in Germany, marking a significant step forward for global collaboration in conservation and animal welfare.
Under the theme Stewards of Tomorrow: Purpose. Direction. Global Responsibility, the conference brought together 319 participants from 58 countries and regions for four days of scientific exchange, strategic discussions and shared learning, culminating in two important milestones: the recognition of outstanding achievements through the 2026 WAZA Awards and the approval of the WAZA 2030 Conservation Goal.
From a spectacular Cologne Carnival performance that opened the conference to the decisions taken at its Annual General Assembly, the gathering was a celebration of what the global zoo and aquarium community has achieved – and a powerful statement of its ambitions for the future.
One of the highlights of the conference was the WAZA Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, held on Thursday, 29 October, at Cologne’s Chocolate Museum.
The ceremony recognised exceptional contributions to animal welfare, species conservation, environmental sustainability and professional leadership, celebrating individuals and institutions whose work is delivering meaningful results for animals, people and the planet.
Interest in the WAZA Awards continues to grow, with 25 nominations received from five regions across the three institutional award categories in 2026.
WAZA Heini Hediger Award – Karen Fifield MNZM MInstD (New Zealand)
WAZA’s highest honour for individual professional excellence was presented to Karen Fifield MNZM MInstD in recognition of her outstanding leadership and lasting contribution to the global zoo and aquarium community.
Having served as Chief Executive of Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo from 2006 to 2026, Fifield has dedicated two decades to advancing progressive zoo leadership, animal welfare and sustainability. Her influence extends far beyond New Zealand, including her service as President of the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA), Chair of WAZA’s Ethics and Animal Welfare Committee and President of WAZA from 2023 to 2025.
Her career reflects the values at the heart of the award: leadership that strengthens institutions, brings people together and leaves a lasting legacy for the profession.
WAZA Animal Welfare Award – Lincoln Park Zoo (United States)
Lincoln Park Zoo received the 2026 WAZA Animal Welfare Award for its comprehensive, science-based approach to positive animal welfare.
Its programme places the individual needs, behaviours and preferences of animals at the centre of decision-making. Through behavioural monitoring, tailored welfare assessments and research, its teams continually improve animal habitats, daily care and opportunities for choice.
By making welfare assessment tools freely available to the wider community, Lincoln Park Zoo is also helping other institutions strengthen their own animal welfare practices.
WAZA Conservation Award – San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (United States)
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance was recognised for its pioneering Wildlife Biodiversity Bank, a long-term scientific initiative demonstrating the importance of safeguarding biological resources for future conservation efforts.
Established in 1975, the Bank holds biological materials from more than 2,000 species, providing valuable resources for genetic rescue, species recovery and habitat restoration.
Beyond its own collections, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance shares expertise and supports partners in developing biodiversity banking capacity worldwide, illustrating how decades of scientific investment can translate into practical conservation opportunities.
WAZA Environmental Sustainability Award – Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium (United States)
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium received the 2026 WAZA Environmental Sustainability Award for embedding environmental responsibility throughout its operations.
Its Pathway to Net Zero combines annual emissions monitoring, improved building efficiency, electric transport and practical initiatives to reduce waste and water consumption.
Among its achievements, a gravity-fed filtration system at its aquarium reduces energy demand while saving more than 500,000 gallons of water annually.
The institution’s approach demonstrates how measurable environmental progress can become part of everyday organisational culture, involving staff and visitors alike.
WAZA congratulates all four recipients, the finalists and the institutions nominated, and extends its appreciation to the award judges and nominators for their contributions.
Beyond celebrating individual achievements, the conference also marked a decisive step towards strengthening the collective conservation contribution of the world’s progressive zoos and aquariums.
At the WAZA Annual General Assembly on 29 October, members approved the WAZA 2030 Conservation Goal, establishing a common global approach through which WAZA Member Associations will be able to support, document and report the conservation contributions of their institutional members more consistently.
For the first time, WAZA’s global community has agreed a shared global framework designed to bring conservation reporting together across regional associations, helping build a clearer picture of the collective contribution of zoos and aquariums to biodiversity conservation.
By 2030, the Goal expects WAZA Member Regional Associations to have two essential elements in place:
The framework will recognise a broad range of conservation contributions, including in situ conservation, ex situ population management, knowledge generation and conservation science, capacity sharing and development, health and pathology and social impact.
It is designed to build on existing regional systems wherever possible, while supporting a common approach to collecting and communicating conservation contributions globally. Shared indicators will be tested and refined as implementation progresses.
Importantly, the Goal aligns the work of the global zoo and aquarium community with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, supporting broader international efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.
As implementation develops, the information brought together through the 2030 Conservation Goal will help WAZA and its associations better demonstrate conservation impact, identify opportunities for collaboration and strengthen engagement with governments, international conventions and conservation partners.
“Across the world, WAZA member zoos and aquariums are already making extraordinary contributions to conservation. But if we want to demonstrate the true scale of that work, we need to be able to collectively report on those contributions” said Dr Martín Zordan, Chief Executive Officer of WAZA.
“The approval of the 2030 Conservation Goal is an important step towards doing exactly that. It gives our global community a shared global direction while recognising the diversity of our regional associations and their members. Cologne was a reminder of what makes this community so valuable: the expertise we share, the relationships we build and our willingness to work together for the future of wildlife.”
The Annual General Assembly also approved the new WAZA Strategy 2027–2031, providing further direction for the Association’s work in the years ahead.
The WAZA 2030 Conservation Goal milestone followed a conference programme that challenged participants to consider not only what modern zoos and aquariums can achieve, but also the responsibilities that come with scientific progress, institutional leadership and public trust.
Four keynote speakers brought distinct perspectives to these discussions.
Dr Mona van Schingen-Khan, from the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, opened the programme by examining the importance of collaboration across borders and sectors in species conservation, drawing on the role of CITES.
Professor Carolyn Calloway-Thomas of Indiana University explored empathy and intercultural understanding as essential capabilities for leadership and cooperation.
Professor Philip Seddon of the University of Otago in New Zealand examined the opportunities, limitations and ethical questions surrounding emerging de-extinction technologies.
Closing the keynote programme, Dr Mark Erdmann, Executive Director of ReShark, illustrated how collaboration between aquariums and conservation partners is supporting efforts to restore threatened sharks to the wild.
Together with panel discussions, case studies and interactive sessions, these contributions highlighted the importance of combining scientific expertise with ethical judgement, collaborative leadership and measurable conservation outcomes.
WAZA extends its heartfelt appreciation to Cologne Zoo, Director and CEO Professor Theo B. Pagel and the entire hosting team for their exceptional organisation, generosity and hospitality.
Delegates were welcomed with a memorable performance celebrating Cologne’s famous Carnival traditions, setting the tone for a week characterised by warmth, openness and a strong sense of international community.
Visits to Cologne Zoo, one of Europe’s oldest zoological institutions, offered further opportunities to exchange experiences and learn about its animal care, research and conservation activities.
WAZA also thanks its speakers, delegates and partners for their invaluable contributions to the success of the conference.
Finally, we also would like to thank our sponsors — our Gold Sponsor pixbox, Bronze Sponsor Ferrero, Icebreaker sponsor Immotion, zoo visit sponsor Studio WLLMS, Gala Dinner sponsor Hanart Culture and keynote speaker sponsor Seafoodia — for helping make this event possible.
The momentum from Cologne will continue in Cape Town, South Africa, where the 82nd WAZA Annual Conference will take place from 17 to 21 October 2027 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
The next edition will mark a historic first: all WAZA institutional members within a host country have united behind a single national bid.
Cango Wildlife and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo will lead the hosting team, joined by Two Oceans Aquarium, uShaka Sea World – SAAMBR and the National Zoological Garden of South Africa – SANBI.
Together, these institutions will bring perspectives from across South Africa’s extraordinary biodiversity and conservation community to the global stage.
After a week that began with Carnival celebrations and concluded with important commitments for the future, WAZA leaves Cologne with renewed determination to turn shared ambition into collective action.
The next chapter for the Stewards of Tomorrow has already begun.
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, zoos and aquariums, dedicated to the care and conservation of animals and their habitats around the world.
