WAZA Partners

The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has formed several partnerships to further its strategic goals. Below are several recent and ongoing partnerships. 

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

WAZA and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) have a long history of collaboration. Since 2002, WAZA has participated in CITES Animal Committee Meetings and CoPs and then signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2011. 

Forest Stewardship Council

In October 2018, WAZA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). To help WAZA members understand and support the MoU, WAZA created a Short Guide: How to Choose Responsibly Sourced Forest Products. Read more here. 

International Zoo Educators Associations

WAZA and the International Zoo Educators Association have a long history of working closely together and in 2021 signed an MoU to formalise the partnership. The two organisations work together to enhance the capacity of members in biodiversity conservation through communications, visitor engagement and a large variety of educational and interpretive programmes for all ages. Read more here. 

IUCN Species Survival Commission

WAZA is proud to partner with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC). WAZA and the IUCN SSC are leading partners on the Reverse the Red movement. 

Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research

The Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research (JZAR) is an initiative of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). EAZA is an Association Member and together with WAZA has a long history of collaboration. The JZAR aims to provide a forum for publication of novel, peer-reviewed research papers, reviews, technical reports, and evidence-based case studies. Find out more. 

Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)

WAZA has formed a partnership with the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), which owns open access journals Animals, Conservation, and Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens (JZBG). The partnership aims to foster increased publishing of open access scientific research by the global zoo and aquarium community. Read more here

Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil

In November 2017, WAZA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The MoU lists seven specific goals, four of which are the responsibility of WAZA and its zoo and/or aquarium members. To help WAZA members understand and support the MoU, WAZA created a Short Guide: Sourcing Sustainable Palm Oil at Your Zoo or Aquarium. And also launched a Sustainable Palm Oil website with handy resources for zoos and aquariums. 

Wild Welfare

WAZA and NGO Wild Welfare have joined forces to collaboratively achieve high standards of animal welfare in zoos and aquariums around the world. Read more here