The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, and institutions, has revealed that the 82nd WAZA Annual Conference will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in South Africa.
The announcement marks a first in WAZA history, with every institutional member in the country joining together behind a single national bid. This unprecedented collaboration brings together South Africa’s WAZA members as a unified hosting team, with expertise spanning varied regions, ecosystems and conservation areas.
Martín Zordan, chief executive officer of WAZA, says: "For the first time in WAZA Annual Conference history, every WAZA Institutional Member in one country has come together behind a single national bid. That is more than a hosting model — it is a powerful statement of shared purpose.
"After 28 years since the last WAZA Conference was hosted on the African continent, South Africa will welcome our global community not through one institution alone, but through the collective knowledge, experience and ambition of its entire WAZA membership.
"This reflects WAZA’s continued commitment to ensuring that our events are inclusive, globally representative and hosted across different regions and countries, giving our diverse membership the opportunity to connect, contribute and lead.
"The conference may take place in Cape Town, but its perspective, its expertise and its welcome will come from across South Africa."
The gathering for the global zoo and aquarium community will take place from 17 to 21 October 2027. Further details on the programme and registration will be announced in due course.
Spirit of collaboration
The primary hosts and lead coordinators will be Cango Wildlife and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo.
They will be joined by 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).
These five institutions represent the breadth of South African zoological and aquarium expertise, and the conference, shaped by perspectives and expertise from across the country, offers attendees a rich insight into South Africa’s conservation community.
As a megadiverse country, South Africa offers an extraordinary setting for WAZA's international community to exchange knowledge, bolster relationships, and advance collective action for wildlife.
Douglas Eriksen, chief executive officer (CEO), Cango Wildlife, says: "Cango Wildlife is elated that WAZA has entrusted Cape Town with its 2027 Annual Conference - and prouder still that, for the first time in WAZA’s history, every member institution in a host country stands together to deliver it.
"In nature, nothing endures alone: the strongest ecosystems are built not on the dominance of one species, but on the resilience of their connections. That same principle brings us together - with unity, purpose and tenacity.
"I look forward most to the world seeing what this country already knows: South Africa is not merely a beneficiary of the global conservation effort, but one of its architects."
"We are very proud to co-host the 82nd WAZA Annual Conference in our beautiful South Africa," says Louise Gordon, executive manager, Johannesburg Zoo, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo.
"Co-hosting is testament to how we, as a small zoo community, work together and support each other in a tangible way. We are proud to partner with Cango Wildlife, Two Oceans Aquarium, SAAMBR and SANBI, all well-respected facilities.
"Johannesburg Zoo is managed by passionate staff, and we cannot wait to show the WAZA community the variety of animals and African biodiversity we hold in beautiful surroundings."
WAZA recently closed nominations to the 2026 WAZA Awards. The four award winners will be recognised at the Gala Dinner during the 81st WAZA Annual Conference, scheduled for 25–29 October 2026 in Cologne, Germany.
Rebecca Hardy has over 10 years' experience in the culture and heritage sector. She studied Fine Art at university and has written for a broad range of creative organisations including artists, galleries, and retailers. When she's not writing, she spends her time getting lost in the woods and making mud pies with her young son.
