International Aquariums
Congress · Wuhan 2027

As Chairman of the Steering Committee of the International Aquarium Network, I am particularly proud to highlight the meaning of our theme, “Connecting the Oceans, Building the Future Together.” Aquariums play a crucial role in connecting people with the oceans, by making the invisible visible and by transforming knowledge into emotion and commitment. But the oceans are not distant worlds: they are directly connected to our rivers and lakes, and therefore to our daily lives. For the first time, our 2027 International Aquarium Congress is being held in an inland city, Wuhan, a powerful symbol of the continuity between freshwater and marine ecosystems, and of the global water cycle that links all environments. Today, more than ever, the aquarium community and our entire industry have a major responsibility: to connect oceans and people, to raise awareness, to support science and conservation, and to actively contribute to the protection of our blue Ocean Planet, in order to ensure a better future for generations to come.

Philippe Vallette