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WAZA Launches Call for Abstracts for Presentations and Posters for the 81st Annual Conference in Cologne
Posted: 19 February 2026
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has officially opened the Call for Abstracts for Presentations and Posters for the 81st WAZA Annual Conference, to be held from 25–29 October 2026 at Cologne Zoo, Germany.
Under the theme Stewards of Tomorrow: Purpose, Direction, and Global Responsibility, the 2026 Conference will bring together leaders in conservation, science and zoo and aquarium management to shape the shared direction of our profession.
In a rapidly evolving global context, zoos and aquariums play an increasingly critical role in conservation impact, public trust and ethical leadership. The 81st Annual Conference will provide a platform to exchange knowledge, challenge assumptions and strengthen collaboration across regions and perspectives.
Hosted by Cologne Zoo – one of Europe’s oldest and most respected zoological institutions – the conference will connect long-standing conservation expertise with forward-looking innovation and global responsibility.
Submissions Now Open
WAZA invites members and partners to submit abstracts for presentations and posters addressing the key issues shaping the future of zoos and aquariums worldwide.
Proposals are welcomed across a wide range of areas, including conservation, animal welfare, leadership, sustainability, advanced technology and AI, visitor experience, crisis management, education and community engagement and emerging themes impacting the global zoo and aquarium community.
Contributions that demonstrate originality, inclusivity and measurable conservation impact are particularly encouraged.
Key Information
- Submission Deadline: 17 April, 23:59 CEST
- Submission Platform: Whova
- Maximum of two submissions per individual
- Enquiries: conference@waza.org
Full details on submission tracks, formats, poster specifications and evaluation criteria are available in the official Submission Guidelines document below.
The 81st WAZA Annual Conference will be a defining moment for our global community, an opportunity to align purpose, strengthen leadership and advance conservation impact worldwide.
We look forward to welcoming the global zoo and aquarium community to Cologne in October 2026.
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.
WAZA is a member of the following organisations:
