South Africa to host historic WAZA Annual Conference in 2027 as every institutional member across the country unites behind a single national bid to welcome the global zoo and aquarium community to Cape Town from 17 to 21 October 2027.
Marking a return to the African continent after 28 years, the 82nd World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) Annual Conference will gather leading global conservation experts at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). This collaborative effort showcases a unified national partnership representing the height of African biodiversity, conservation leadership, and animal welfare.
A United National Front for Global Conservation
The bid breaks new ground in WAZA’s history. Instead of a single venue submitting a host application, all five of South Africa’s WAZA institutional members joined forces to bring the prestigious summit to African soil.
Cango Wildlife and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo lead the charge as primary hosts and main coordinators. Joining them are Cape Town’s Two Oceans Aquarium as the official venue partner, uShaka Sea World (operated by the South African Association for Marine Biological Research – SAAMBR), and the National Zoological Garden of South Africa, part of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).
Together, these five institutions represent an extraordinary range of expertise across terrestrial fauna, marine biology, biodiversity research, public education, and field conservation:
Cango Wildlife (Oudtshoorn): Leads in terrestrial wildlife conservation, breeding programmes, and public education.
Johannesburg City Parks & Zoo (Johannesburg): Focuses on urban wildlife management, native African biodiversity, and species preservation.
Two Oceans Aquarium (Cape Town): Serves as official venue partner, specializing in marine biodiversity, rehabilitation, and ocean advocacy.
uShaka Sea World / SAAMBR (Durban): Contributes decades of expertise in marine biological research, animal care, and marine conservation.
National Zoological Garden / SANBI (Pretoria): Delivers nation-wide biodiversity research, scientific policy development, and species conservation.
What the Historic Return Means for Africa
Founded in 1935, WAZA represents nearly 400 top-tier institutions globally. Members must adhere to rigorous ethical standards and animal welfare benchmarks. Bringing this network to Cape Town underscores South Africa’s role as an active architect of international conservation policy rather than just a destination for wildlife tourism.
Martín Zordan, Chief Executive Officer of WAZA, noted that the unified bid is a powerful statement of shared purpose. He emphasized that the gathering highlights WAZA’s commitment to holding inclusive, globally representative events that leverage regional leadership.
Local leaders share that enthusiasm:
Douglas Eriksen (CEO, Cango Wildlife): “In nature, nothing endures alone: the strongest ecosystems are built on the resilience of their connections.”
Louise Gordon (Executive Manager, Johannesburg Zoo): “Co-hosting is testament to how we, as a small zoo community, work together and support each other in a tangible way.”
Michael Farquhar (CEO, Two Oceans Aquarium): “Hosting the 82nd WAZA Annual Conference is an exceptional opportunity to strengthen our shared commitment to conservation.”
Lawrence Oellermann PhD (CEO, uShaka Sea World): “Hosting with our associates is the chance to show off our beautiful, biodiverse country to our friends and colleagues around the world.”
Leslie Mudimeli (GM, National Zoological Garden): “SANBI looks forward to welcoming delegates… and strengthening global partnerships for biodiversity conservation.”
Delegates at the CTICC in October 2027 can expect a conference driven by shared knowledge, rich African biodiversity, and a commitment to preserving the natural world for generations to come.
