A landmark event bringing together the zoological and sporting communities took place at the Argymak Equestrian Complex. Svetlana Akulova, President of the Euro-Asian Regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EARAZA), and Marina Sechina, President of the Eurasian Equestrian Association (EEA), signed a Cooperation Agreement.
The document is aimed at developing partnership in the field of animal welfare, promoting equestrian sport, and implementing educational initiatives for children and young people.
The parties agreed to cooperate in the following areas:
- improvement of horse care and management programmes;
- exchange of experience in the field of animal care;
- development of youth and mass equestrian sport;
- implementation of educational projects for children and parents;
- promotion of responsible attitudes towards animals;
- expansion of opportunities for involving children and young people in equestrian sports;
- implementation of joint sporting and educational projects across the Eurasian region.
The signing ceremony took place within the framework of the FEI Jumping World Challenge Final 2026. Svetlana Akulova thanked Marina Sechina and the Russian Equestrian Federation for the invitation to Astana.
“I am deeply convinced that by combining care for animals and a love of sport, we are raising a generation of responsible, well-rounded and happy people. Our common goal is to ensure that the advanced experience of zoos and the best practices of equestrian sport serve the benefit of both animals and people,” Akulova noted.
The signed document establishes a foundation for long-term and productive cooperation aimed at animal welfare, the development of youth sport, and the implementation of socially significant projects throughout the Eurasian region.
