ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Sports: Vietnam's mark and practical contributions

Vietnam has played an active and proactive role since joining SOMS in 2012, gradually becoming one of the core members.

Vietnam’s hosting of the ASEAN Senior Officials on Sports Meetings in 2014 and 2024 is not only a demonstration of the region’s trust but also an opportunity to promote the image of the country, people, culture and sports of Vietnam to international friends. These conferences have contributed to strengthening diplomatic relations between countries, while also clearly orienting sports activities in the region.

The 15th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Sports – SOMS 15 will take place in Vietnam in October 2024

Vietnam has participated in SOMS since 2012 and has been present at this annual event ever since. During its participation and contribution to the affirmation of SOMS’s position, Vietnam has become the destination of the ASEAN Senior Officials on Sports Meeting in 2014 and 2024.

Accordingly, the 4th SOMS in 2014 took place in Hanoi with the participation of delegates who are sports officials from 9 ASEAN countries including: Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Brunei, and Indonesia.

The 4th SOMS in 2014 has actively contributed to promoting and enhancing the understanding of ASEAN peoples about foreign relations within the bloc; strengthening diplomatic relations between ASEAN countries; promoting Vietnamese culture, sports and tourism to friends in the region; orienting sports and sports-related activities in the ASEAN region. In addition, the conference also highlighted challenges and difficulties that need to be urgently resolved, including encouraging cooperation in the field of sports; orienting sports and sports-related activities in the region...

The 15th SOMS in 2024 will be attended by about 70 international delegates.

At the 15th SOMS in 2024, as the host, Vietnam organized three official meetings from October 14 to 16 in Vinh Phuc. The 15th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Sports (SOMS 15) in 2024 and related meetings are extremely important in promoting sports cooperation and sports-related activities between ASEAN member countries and international organizations and partner countries such as Japan and China.

The conference was attended by about 80 international delegates representing the ASEAN Secretariat, leaders of sports agencies of Japan and China; ASEAN member states, Timor Leste, international organizations, and relevant ASEAN dialogue countries. In addition, there were about 50 Vietnamese delegates representing ministries, sectors, and media agencies.

Through this event, Vietnam demonstrated its responsibility and effectiveness as an ASEAN member state in the specialized cooperation mechanism, as well as ensuring Vietnam's interests with participating parties for the goal of building a peaceful, stable and prosperous ASEAN community. From there, it introduced the image of the country and people of Vietnam to international friends, enhancing friendship and mutual understanding within the ASEAN Community.

Vietnam not only participates but also makes substantial contributions to the ASEAN Action Plan on Sports for the period 2021-2025. Notably, it successfully organized the International Workshop on Anti-Doping, as well as integrated activities to promote healthy lifestyles, food safety and hygiene, and disease prevention at major sporting events such as the 31st SEA Games and the 11th ASEAN Para Games.

In the coming time, Vietnam will continue to affirm its position when taking on the role of Chair of the 8th ASEAN Sports Ministers Meeting in 2025 in Hanoi, promising to introduce new initiatives to further promote the development of regional sports.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/hoi-nghi-quan-chuc-cap-cao-asean-ve-the-thao-dau-an-viet-nam-va-nhung-dong-gop-thiet-thuc-20250922150356661.htm