Sport as a force for change: ASEAN, Japan and China advance new collaboration initiatives

The Fifteenth ASEAN Senior Sports Officials Meeting (SOMS-15), the Seventh ASEAN-Japan Senior Sports Officials Meeting (SOMS+Japan) and the Third ASEAN-China Senior Sports Officials Meeting ( SOMS+China) were held from October 14 to 16. Organized by the Sports Authority of Vietnam (SAV) and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, with the support of the ASEAN Secretariat, the meetings were held in Vin Puch province and virtually.

The meetings provided a platform for ASEAN Member States (AMS), Japan and China to discuss and align their collaborative efforts in the field of sport. More than 50 participants from WHA, Japan, China and representatives from various international organizations and partners, including FIFA, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the Southeast Asian Regional Anti-Doping Organization (SEARADO) and Portas, attended these meetings. , reinforcing the region’s commitment to sport as a driving force for community building, sustainable development and inclusion.

On October 14, WHA senior officials met to review the progress of the ASEAN Work Plan on Sports 2021-2025. The ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Youth (SOMY) reaffirmed the importance of sport in building community and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, the meeting approved the use of the ASEAN Development Fund for the Final Review of the ASEAN Work Plan on Sports 2021-2025.

The meeting welcomed the proposal to consolidate key reports on sport and youth crime prevention into a single ASEAN publication, which will soon be published on the ASEAN website.

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Participants highlighted the efforts the region is making to promote integrity in sport, inclusion and capacity development through partnerships with international organizations.

The meeting also highlighted key achievements such as the ASEAN Center of Excellence on Sports Training in Malaysia and the success of integrating sports into youth crime prevention initiatives in Thailand.

In addition, preparations for the 33rd SEA Games and the 13th ASEAN Paralympic Games, which will be held in Thailand, were shared. Collaboration efforts with global entities, such as FIFA and WADA, were also strengthened, especially in relation to the advancement of the ASEAN-FIFA Memorandum of Understanding and ASEAN-WADA collaborations.

On October 15, the 7th SOMS+Japan meeting focused on strengthening ASEAN-Japan sports cooperation within the framework of the Chiang Mai Declaration. Japan provided an update on initiatives promoting women’s participation in sports and improve the physical education of people with disabilities. Major flagship projects such as ASEAN Football4SDGs were praised for their role in using sport to drive sustainable development and community building.

The WHA and Japan also discussed training initiatives for sports professionals and explored future areas of collaboration, reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting inclusive sport and improving sports management across the region.

Collaboration efforts with global entities, such as FIFA and WADA, were also reinforced.

The 3rd SOMS+China meeting, held on October 16, focused on deepening ASEAN-China cooperation in sports. The ASEAN-China traditional sports and games exchange and revitalization initiative, aimed at preserving intangible cultural heritage through sports, was the focus of the discussions. The WHA and China explored new opportunities for cooperation and agreed to boost efforts that promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding through traditional sports.

The meetings highlighted the importance of sport as a vehicle for regional integration and community building. The successful conclusion of these three meetings marked an important step forward in strengthening sports cooperation, with ASEAN Member States reaffirming their commitment to inclusive and sustainable sports development. The outcomes of these meetings will play a crucial role in shaping future initiatives, including the continued implementation of the ASEAN Work Plan on Sports 2021-2025.