AZOU Annual Congress Held

On August 19, 2023, the regular Congress of the Association of Animal Protection Organizations of Ukraine — AZOU — was held.

The AZOU leadership presented a Report on its activities for the period 2019-2023, which was approved by the Congress delegates.

The Congress held elections for the President and the Board of the Association. The new Board includes 10 members. Maryna Surkova was elected President. Asia Serpinska became Honorary President.

The Congress also featured interesting speeches from honorary guests. Volodymyr Boreiko, Director of the Kyiv Ecological and Cultural Center, shared information about KECC and AZOU’s joint cooperation, including participation in shaping state policy in the field of animal protection from cruelty.

Serhiy Kharkov, Deputy Director of the Kyiv Zoo, spoke about the protection of endangered animal species and fundamental animal freedoms, as well as the functions of zoological parks in educational, scientific work, and gene pool conservation.

AZOU is the largest union of animal protection organizations in Ukraine, developing the animal protection movement in the most remote corners of the country. The organization strives to unite animal advocates across Ukraine and achieve recognition of animal rights at the constitutional level.