Al Ain
Zoo Hosts First
Arabian
Zoo and Aquarium Association Conference
- Delegates
to work together to lay out foundation for the Association -
Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, 10 December, 2012: Under
the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Member of
the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture
Authority, and Chairman of the Zoo & Aquarium Public Institution in Al Ain,
and in the attendance of His Excellency
Majid Al Mansouri, Member of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi and
Chairman of the Department of Municipal Affairs Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Zoo today
welcomed delegates for the first Arabian Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZAA) conference.
Hosted by Al Ain Zoo, the three-day conference brings together wildlife, zoo
and aquarium experts from around the region to discuss animal management issues.
More than 60 delegates from zoo and aquarium facilities in the UAE,
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan have joined the
conference, presenting papers on topics including conservation, education, animal
management, training, and zoo projects. Delegates will also be working closely
throughout the conference to develop the Association’s governance
documents.
H.E. Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Director General of Al Ain Zoo, said:
“Al Ain Zoo is
very proud to be hosting this historic first Arabian Zoo and Aquarium
Association conference. This is an opportunity to demonstrate the region’s
commitment to the conservation of our wildlife and the education of communities
who visit our zoos and aquariums every day. Aptly themed One Region, One
Vision, One Plan, the conference is a clear reflection of our commitment to
working together for the benefit of the precious wildlife and environment that we
all share.”
Conference attendees will participate in plenary sessions on the role of
zoos and aquariums in the Arabian Peninsula, as well as a series of workshops
to agree on a structure and constitution of AZAA. The workshops will also
discuss what it means to be a member of AZAA and draft a Code of Ethics and
Code of Practice. Participating delegates will be showcasing the variety and
quality of activities being carried out in zoos, aquariums and private
collections across Arabia, facilitating knowledge-sharing across the Association.
Delegates will also be invited to experience Al Ain Zoo’s facilities first-hand
with a tour of the zoo, new projects under construction and experience a gala
dinner adjacent to the dramatic Mixed African Exhibit.
Attendees of the first regional zoo and aquarium meeting unanimously
agreed earlier last year to form the AZAA for collaboration, communication and
exchange of ideas on wildlife conservation and the role of zoos and aquariums. Al
Ain Zoo is also a member in the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the
European Association of Zoos & Aquaria.
Interested in getting the word out about your zoo/wildlife related conference or symposium? Zoo News Digest reaches more people in the field than any other medium. Contact Peter Dickinson at elvinhow@gmail.com
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