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The Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort (AWPR) has won the right to host the 70th annual World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) conference.

AWPR is a corner-stone project in Abu Dhabi Governmentâs strategy to position the Emirateâs second city as a leading regional cultural and commercial destination. Upon completion in 2013, AWPR's 900-hectare facility will be five times larger than San Diego Zoo, the worldâs current largest zoology park.

As AWPR Director General Ghanim Al Hajeri explains "hosting this prestigious global conference will strengthen our position as a world leading wildlife and conservation organisation."

In staging WAZA 2015 on site, AWPR is eager to demonstrate the UAE's diverse geology, paleontology and anthropology offerings, as well as push ahead its commitment to animal care and welfare, environmental education and global conservation in front of the industryâs leaders and decision-makers.

Viewed as Al Ain's first significant coup in the international meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) calendar, WAZA 2015 will be held at AWPR's planned, exclusive five-star Hotel & Resort.

Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, which assisted in securing the WAZA 2015 bid, added "this is a significant step forward in building awareness of Al Ain as an alternative meetings destination, particularly for subjects associated with heritage, culture and sustainability."

WAZA is the unifying organisation for the world zoo and aquarium community. The body's network - an influential international group that comprises more than 1,300 institutions - includes leading zoos and aquariums, regional and national associations of zoos and aquariums and affiliate organisations, such as zoo veterinarians and zoo educators from around the world.

For more information go to www.awpr.ae/en/Pages/Home.aspx

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