WAZA and United Nations team up to combat environmental issues

The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has signed an agreement with the United Nations in order to better combat marine litter, coral reef pollution and the illegal trade of species around the world.

Signed on 17th October during the 72nd annual WAZA conference in Berlin, Germany, the five-year Memorandum of Understanding was signed by UN Environment Executive Director Erik Solheim and WAZA President Jenny Gray.

The MoU will focus on marine plastic pollution, protecting coral reefs and reducing demand for wildlife products worldwide – problems which WAZA says are growing.

WAZA and the UN will identify and implement a series of private sector partnerships designed to influence the design and production processes of relevant industries. They will also work together to engage political leaders to take action.

As part of the deal, WAZA will support UN Environment's 'Wild for Life' campaign - an initiative focusing on the illegal trade of wildlife in south east Asia.

WAZA Chief Executive Doug Cress stated “WAZA is seeking to leverage the 700 million visitors who visit zoos and aquariums each year on behalf of these social and environmental crises.

“This agreement with UN Environment offers the WAZA community the resources to change consumer behaviour and lead by example.”

WAZA, which has a community of nearly 400 zoos, says it will encourage at least 50% of its zoos and aquariums across more than 50 countries to either eliminate or demonstrate progress towards eliminating single-use plastic from its consumer chain by 2023.

Image: The five-year Memorandum of Understanding was signed by WAZA President Jenny Gray (left) and UN Environment Executive Director Erik Solheim.

12th July 2017 - ELEPHANT TOURISM EXPLOITATION REPORT IDENTIFIES OFFENDERS 

12th July 2017 - TARONGA ZOO MOVES TOWARD PLASTIC-FREE OPERATIONS

8th June 2017 - SEA LIFE MELBOURNE CELEBRATES WORLD OCEANS DAY TO SPREAD IMPORTANT MESSAGE 

23rd May 2017 - KELLY TARLTON’S AND AUCKLAND ZOO CELEBRATE WORLD TURTLE DAY

4th August 2016 - UNESCO REPORT URGES PROTECTION OF OCEANS WITH WORLD HERITAGE STATUS 

3rd March 2016 - UNITED NATIONS MARKS WORLD WILDLIFE DAY WITH A GLOBAL CALL TO SAVE ENDANGERED SPECIES

12th May 2015 - WAZA SUSPENDS JAPANESE ZOO ASSOCIATION OVER TAIJI DOLPHIN HUNTS

25th March 2015 - INTERNATIONAL ZOO ASSOCIATION ACCUSED OF OVERLOOKING HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.