• Set to be held in the Middle East for the first time, event highlights emirate’s emergence as a leading hub for MICE and business events in the region
  • The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau, submitted the bid during the 2024 IAC in Mexico

Abu Dhabi, UAE: The International Aquarium Congress (IAC), a flagship event for the global aquarium community, will be held in Abu Dhabi in 2030 following a successful bid led by the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi (NAAD) in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).

NAAD led the presentation of the winning bid during the 2024 IAC in Mexico, securing the 2030 IAC scheduled for October or November, which will bring the event to the Middle East for the first time. Opened in 2021, the aquarium was awarded due to its modern display innovations, wildlife rescue programme and conservation projects, and its extensive educational content.

 

Since its establishment in 1960, the IAC has convened every three years as the leading platform for fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange in the aquarium sector, bringing together a global audience of aquarium professionals, researchers, and educators to share innovations and expertise in aquatic science and management.

The milestone winning bid highlights Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a leading hub for MICE and business events in the region, bolstered by robust airline connectivity, world-class hospitality, and prestigious attractions such as The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi.

Mubarak Al Shamsi, Director of the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau, said: “We are honoured to host the International Aquarium Congress 2030 in Abu Dhabi, marking its first appearance in the Middle East. This event underscores our commitment to supporting thought leaders and experts across diverse fields while serving as a steadfast partner for global business events and MICE activities. We’re also proud to continue Abu Dhabi’s legacy as a platform to host events that drive growth, enable knowledge exchange, and advance scientific progress.”

Paul Robert Hamilton, General Manager - The National Aquarium, said: “Having built 13 public aquariums around the world and being in the industry for more than 25 years, I knew that we had something very special with The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi as a destination is quickly becoming the first choice for many major global events due to its readiness to host international travellers, its state-of-the-art facilities and connectivity through airlines. I am so proud of what has been achieved by this world class attraction and the respect it is receiving globally.”

The successful bid underscores ADCEB’s strategic focus on collaborating with diverse international conferences and professional associations, reinforcing the emirate’s position as a destination of choice for large-scale MICE and business events.

ADCEB has been at the forefront of transforming Abu Dhabi into a destination primed for exceptional business events, actively supporting organisers through bid advisory services, event planning, attendance-building strategies, and fostering partnerships among Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs).

In addition to providing a supportive environment for organisers, ADCEB offers professionals and experts across various fields the chance to join Al Nukbha, a ‘Business Elite’ programme to gather like-minded, highly motivated individuals to coordinate efforts to secure convention business for Abu Dhabi. These efforts also contribute to knowledge transfer and capacity building across priority sectors, supported by Abu Dhabi’s free trade zones such as ADGM, twofour54, and KEZAD.

The NAAD, a prominent member of the International Aquariums Network, emphasised the Congress’s mission to focus on nature and address human activities affecting global aquatic ecosystems. Hosting the IAC 2030 aligns with Abu Dhabi’s vision to drive impactful conversations and initiatives around environmental sustainability and conservation.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture, creative and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

About The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi:

The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi has the longest underwater tunnel in the Middle East and is home to 46,000 animals spread across ten zones spanning from the tropical waters of the Pacific and freshwaters of the Amazon through to the frozen ice caps of the Arctic and the caves of the Mediterranean. The ten zones host more than 300 species, including 200 sharks and rays which represent 25 different species. All the animals are cared for by a team of 80 sea-life experts.

The National Aquarium is designed to provide live experiences, community engagement, and hands-on involvement in preserving the local biodiversity and heritage to build a more sustainable future. With a focus on conservation education, The National Aquarium’s Professor Aquademy, which has the capacity to welcome up to 50,000 public and private school students a year, is dedicated to enhancing environmental knowledge and sparking an interest in the natural world amongst younger generations. As part of The National Aquarium’s commitment to animal welfare and conservation, they are creating an innovative rehabilitation program in partnership with The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD).

For more information about The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi please visit. thenationalaquarium.ae