From May 18 to 23, the prestigious EAZA Conservation Forum 2026 (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) took place at the "Opel" Zoo in Kronberg, Germany. Armenia was represented at this crucial international platform by Ruben Khachatryan, Founder-Director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC), and Narine Piloyan, Animal Care Coordinator at the Wildlife Rescue Center (WRC).

One of the key events of the forum was the plenary session on May 22, where FPWC Founder Ruben Khachatryan, together with Ann Katrine Garn, served as a keynote speaker.

Within the framework of the presentation titled "From Practice to Policy: EAZA Leadership in IUCN Council," mechanisms of global environmental policy, legal regulations, and international cooperation were discussed. This was an exceptional opportunity to present Armenia's successful experience in wildlife conservation and OECMs (alternative models of protected areas) to the international community.

All days of the forum featured a highly intensive agenda. The workshops and discussions focused on the most pressing issues related to animal welfare and conservation:

Ethical and legal issues: special attention was paid to modern ethical standards for animal keeping, transportation, care, and responsible treatment.

Human-wildlife conflicts: practical role-playing games and workshops were held, dedicated to the coexistence of humans and large carnivores (e.g., wolves) and effective tools for conflict mitigation.

The role of zoos and rescue centers: the capacity building of the centers' educational, scientific, and structural capabilities was discussed, which will allow them to play a greater role in global biodiversity conservation decisions.

"The topics discussed during the forum were highly relevant for us as well, ranging from ethical and legal issues of animal care and transportation to the exchange of individual successful practices from different centers. Special emphasis was placed on cooperation as the most effective tool for biodiversity conservation. International platforms like this provide us with an opportunity to find more flexible and effective solutions to our local challenges," noted FPWC Director Ruben Khachatryan.

Participation in the EAZA Conservation Forum 2026 is another step toward strengthening the positions of FPWC and WRC within the international environmental community and implementing the best global standards for animal care and rights protection in Armenia.