The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has signed an agreement with the United Nations (UN) in order to better combat marine litter, coral reef pollution and the illegal trade of species around the world.

Signed on 17 October during the 72nd annual WAZA conference in Berlin, Germany, the five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by UN Environment executive director Erik Solheim and WAZA president Jenny Gray.

The MoU will focus on marine plastic pollution, protecting coral reefs and reducing demand for wildlife products worldwide – problems which WAZA says are growing.

WAZA and the UN will identify and implement a series of private sector partnerships designed to influence the design and production processes of relevant industries. They will also work together to engage political leaders to take action.

As part of the deal, WAZA will support UN Environment's 'Wild for Life' campaign – an initiative focusing on the illegal trade of wildlife in Southeast Asia.

“WAZA is seeking to leverage the 700 million visitors who visit zoos and aquariums each year on behalf of these social and environmental crises,” said WAZA CEO Doug Cress.

“This agreement with UN Environment offers the WAZA community the resources to change consumer behaviour and lead by example.”

WAZA, which has a community of nearly 400 zoos, says it will encourage at least 50 per cent of its zoos and aquariums across more than 50 countries to either eliminate or demonstrate progress towards eliminating single-use plastic from its consumer chain by 2023.