WADA signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Association of South-East Asian Nations

.The MoU is to run a term of three years

.It will create a partnership that will help both organizations to prevent doping in the region.

.WADA ensures and monitors the effective implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on matters anti-doping activities.

This was during the 17th Asia/Oceania region intergovernmental meeting on anti-doping in sport, hosted in Dubai by the United Arab Emirates National Anti-Doping Organization.

Witold Bańka addressing the 17th Asia/Oceania Region Intergovernmental Meeting on Anti-Doping in Sport, hosted by UAE, bringing together Ministers and the anti-doping community from 45 countries in a spirit of collaboration. Photo Courtesy Wintold Banka/twitter

The MoU was by WADA President Witold Bańka together with ASEAN secretary-general Dato Lim and is to run a term of three years to create a partnership that will help both organizations to prevent doping in the region.

ASEAN is an intergovernmental organization established by the ASEAN Charter that is committed to intensifying community building by its 10 member states having been formed in 1967.

These are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao OR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Through a statement, Bańka said that The global anti-doping system relies on collaboration between various stakeholders.

“The global anti-doping system relies on collaboration between various stakeholders, and this MoU between WADA and the Association of South-East Asian Nations will boost the anti-doping work being carried out by Governments and national anti-doping organizations in that region.

“WADA exists to serve the athletes of the world.

“We are here to provide them with the opportunity to compete to the best of their natural ability on a level playing field.

Different Delegates attending the 17th Asia/Oceania Region Intergovernmental Meeting on Anti-Doping in Sport, hosted by UAE, bringing together Ministers and the anti-doping community from 45 countries in a spirit of collaboration.

“The cooperation formalized by this MoU is another example of the practical steps we are taking to do just that.
“I thank ASEAN and its members for their commitment to clean sport.”

He further highlighted three important aspects of anti-doping, namely the need for each country of the world to have a robust and relevant programme, the importance of appropriate funding being assigned to anti-doping on a global level, and the requirement for meaningful dialogue and engagement with athletes.

Lim added: “I am confident that the engagement of member states and relevant stakeholders in anti-doping prevention will enable ASEAN to better harness the potential of its human resources needed for the prevention of doping in ASEAN, to provide a fair and equitable playing environment for all athletes.”

The meeting has offered a chance for representatives of Governments from all over Asia and Oceania to discuss important anti-doping issues with over 34 countries attending the meeting, either virtually or in person.

Purpose of Wada

WADA’s key activities include: ensuring and monitoring the effective implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code and its related International Standards; scientific and social science research; education; intelligence and investigations; and building antidoping capacity with anti-doping organizations worldwide.