The 8th ASEAN Sports Ministers Meeting issued a joint statement.

The 8th ASEAN Sports Ministers Meeting issued a joint statement.

At the discussion session, member countries expressed high consensus on the Joint Statement of the 8th AMMS Conference, marking an important milestone in regional sports cooperation, towards the goal of a united, dynamic and sustainably developed ASEAN Community.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong chaired the discussion session at AMMS 8 Conference.

The Joint Statement acknowledged the outstanding achievements of ASEAN sports cooperation in recent times and identified strategic directions for the new phase - placing sports at the center of the process of building the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC). The Ministers emphasized the role of sports as an effective tool to promote human development, enhance peace and regional cohesion.

Ms. Wanida Phansa-ard, Deputy Minister of Sports and Tourism of Thailand, gave general information on sports results in the period 2021-2025 and preparations for the 33rd SEA Games.

In his closing remarks at the Conference, Deputy Minister Hoang Dao Cuong highly appreciated the active participation of the delegations and affirmed that the success of AMMS 8 demonstrated the spirit of solidarity, cooperation and responsibility of member countries in building a close-knit and prosperous ASEAN community.

“Sports has always been an important bridge, connecting the people of ASEAN countries in the spirit of friendship, solidarity and cooperation. Over the years, we have together carried out many practical activities, contributing to promoting sports for everyone, improving community health and developing high-performance sports, affirming ASEAN's position in the international arena,” Mr. Hoang Dao Cuong emphasized.

For Vietnam, the 2021-2025 period has marked many proud sporting achievements: the 31st SEA Games in 2022 was successfully and safely organized, leaving a deep impression of a friendly, hospitable and professional Vietnam.

The mass sports movement has developed strongly, with tens of millions of people regularly practicing sports, contributing to improving public health and building a healthy lifestyle.

These results not only bring pride to Vietnam but also contribute practically to the overall development of ASEAN sports. Vietnam affirms its commitment to continue accompanying member countries, promoting the strengths of all aspects of sports, together towards the goal of a healthy, cohesive ASEAN with increasingly greater influence in the international arena.

In a solemn and friendly atmosphere, the Conference congratulated Vietnam on its role as ASEAN Sports Chair for the 2024-2025 term, and acknowledged the host country’s efforts in organizing the event and initiatives to promote regional sports cooperation. At the same time, Cambodia was congratulated for assuming the role of Chair of AMMS 9 in 2027, while Malaysia will chair AMMS in 2025, ensuring continuity and effectiveness in regional cooperation.

Delegates also congratulated Timor-Leste - a country expected to officially become a full member of ASEAN in 2026 - and expressed their willingness to support and share experiences in sports development in the spirit of solidarity and friendship.

The Joint Statement of AMMS 8 acknowledged specific cooperation results, including the successful implementation of the ASEAN Work Plan on Sports 2021-2025, contributing to the organization of many major sports events and youth programs, towards the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

The Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Sports of the countries also expressed their gratitude to international partners such as the Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF), the International Football Federation (FIFA), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) and many non-governmental organizations that have accompanied ASEAN in sports and youth development.

The conference congratulated Cambodia on successfully hosting the 32nd SEA Games and the 12th ASEAN Para Games in 2023, and welcomed Thailand in its preparations for the 33rd SEA Games and the 13th Para Games. In particular, delegates appreciated Cambodia's efforts in publishing research on the preservation and promotion of traditional sports, considering them an important part of the region's cultural identity.

The meeting also welcomed the continued implementation of the ASEAN-FIFA and ASEAN-WADA Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen transparency, integrity and sustainable development in sports. The draft statement expressed deep condolences to the people of Myanmar, Thailand and the Philippines affected by the 2025 earthquake - reflecting the spirit of humanity and solidarity of ASEAN.

At the end of the meeting, the Ministers affirmed their commitment to long-term cooperation and continued promotion of sports as a means of building peace, solidarity and sustainable development in the region. In the spirit of unity and sincere cooperation, the 8th AMMS successfully concluded, opening a new phase for ASEAN sports - where countries work together towards the goal of "A healthy, dynamic and sustainable ASEAN".

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung chaired the opening session of AMMS 8.

*Earlier in the morning of the same day in Hanoi, the 8th AMMS Conference officially opened under the chairmanship of Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung. The event brought together Ministers, Heads of Sports Delegations from 10 ASEAN member countries, Timor-Leste and representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat, to summarize sports cooperation in the 2021-2025 period and orient the new Action Plan 2026-2030.

The 8th AMMS highly agreed with Vietnam's proposals, and assessed that new initiatives would contribute to completing the comprehensive ASEAN sports cooperation framework, creating a foundation for the 2026-2030 development period. The heads of delegations affirmed that sports will continue to be a source of inspiration for the young generation, a tool to promote peace, cooperation and sustainable development in the ASEAN Community. Vietnam was recognized for its effective coordination, leadership role and deep integration in the regional sports sector.

On October 17, within the framework of the 8th ASEAN Sports Ministers Meeting, bilateral working sessions between ASEAN, Japan and China will continue to take place, expanding international cooperation in the field of sports, affirming ASEAN's increasingly profound role in the global sports cooperation network.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/the-thao/hoi-nghi-bo-truong-the-thao-asean-lan-thu-8-ra-tuyen-bo-chung-i784866/