The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the global alliance of regional associations, national federations, and institutions, has revealed the keynote speakers for this year’s Annual Conference, which will be held from 3 to 7 November at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.
Aiming to promote efforts to protect the natural world, the 79th WAZA Annual Conference will bring together industry professionals from the zoo, aquarium, and conservation communities. With discussions focusing on sustainable palm oil, plastic pollution, illegal wildlife trade, and species conservation, attendees can learn from conservation experts by sharing knowledge and experiences.
Nardi Simpson
Nardi Simpson, a Yuwaalaraay storyteller, will be the keynote speaker on the first day. Simpson has musical training and is part of the Indigenous vocal duo Stiff Gins, which has performed nationally and internationally for over 25 years.
As an education and Aboriginal projects officer at Taronga Zoo, Simpson has made a substantial contribution to various programs, including Burbangana, which aims to connect First Nations children in care to culture, environment, and belonging. Simpson’s keynote address will cover new approaches to conservation.
Adam Spencer
Adam Spencer, the second-day keynote speaker, has hosted live current affairs TV and award-winning breakfast radio shows.
Having worked in radio, television, and events for 25 years, Spencer enjoys selecting challenging and thought-provoking topics for keynote speeches and conversations.
As a prominent conference speaker on artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security, the future of work, and the Chat GPT revolution, Spencer will discuss the potential ramifications of these cutting-edge technologies for zoos and aquariums.
Nesha Ichida
On day three, Nesha Ichida, an Indonesian marine conservation scientist, will be the keynote speaker. Her expertise includes the taxonomy of reef fish, research on elasmobranchs, marine protected areas (MPA), and community-led conservation programs in Eastern Indonesia.
Ichida manages the StAR Project, a multinational collaborative initiative to restore Indo-Pacific leopard shark populations by translocating egg cases bred at accredited aquariums worldwide. She is co-chairing the initiative’s steering committee and also works as the program manager for a local non-profit organisation called Thrive Conservation.
Ichida will discuss participation opportunities for zoos and aquariums and the past, present, and future of the ReShark initiative.
Tegan Taylor
On the fourth day, Tegan Taylor will give the keynote speech.
Taylor is an ABC science and health reporter who has won numerous awards. What’s That Rash?, Quick Smart, and Radio National’s Health Report are among the programs she hosts. Her work has been included in the Best of Australian Science Writing and won the Eureka Prize for Science Journalism and the Walkley Award.
Taylor will discuss zoonotic disease biosecurity and how aquariums and zoos can prepare for future challenges
For more information and to register for the WAZA Annual Conference, click here.
WAZA also recently held its first Mid-Year Meeting. This virtual event marked a new chapter in its mission to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing and strengthen the zoo and aquarium community worldwide. Leaders, experts, and stakeholders from around the globe met for meaningful discourse, strategic planning, and information exchange.
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