Opening of the 8th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports: Building a long-term vision for ASEAN sports

On the morning of October 16, the opening ceremony of the 8th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports took place in Hanoi. Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh attended and delivered a speech.

Also attending were Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong, Ministers, Heads of delegations from ASEAN countries and East Timor, and Ambassadors of Southeast Asian countries in Hanoi .

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh attended and delivered a speech at the Conference.

In his opening speech at the Conference, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung said that over the past 50 years of establishment and development, the ASEAN Community has grown steadily, becoming a united, dynamic and prosperous region. In addition to political, economic, cultural and social cooperation, sports have been affirming their important role in connecting people, promoting peace , friendship and mutual understanding among member countries. Sports are not only an area that contributes to improving health and physical strength, but also a bridge to foster friendship, solidarity and mutual understanding among countries.

The 8th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports is of special significance, marking the increasingly deep cooperation within the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, as well as opening up many new opportunities in cooperation with dialogue countries in the context of ASEAN building the ASEAN Cooperation Strategy for the period 2026-2030, guiding the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

The conference was attended by many Ministers, Heads of Delegations from ASEAN countries and East Timor; Ambassadors of Southeast Asian countries in Hanoi.

In the spirit of cooperation, friendship and responsibility, Minister Nguyen Van Hung believes that this Conference will achieve many practical results, providing strategic directions for ASEAN sports cooperation in the new period, while contributing to enhancing the position of ASEAN sports in the international arena.

"This is an important occasion for us to review the achievements of cooperation, exchange experiences, and set out directions for ASEAN sports cooperation in the coming period, towards comprehensive, sustainable and inclusive development. With the chosen theme, today's Conference is an opportunity for us to share our vision, strengthen cooperation and together create a future of ASEAN sports development, sustainability and identity. Vietnam pledges to accompany member countries and partners to realize common goals, making sports the pride of the ASEAN Community, contributing to building a peaceful, prosperous and cohesive region" - the Minister emphasized.

Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh gave a speech at the Conference

In his welcome speech at the Conference, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh affirmed that throughout the journey of formation and development of ASEAN, sports have become a bridge of friendship, solidarity and development. From the SEA Games, ASEAN Para Games to sports exchange programs, all have contributed to connecting the hearts of ASEAN people, nurturing the spirit of "One Vision - One Identity - One Community".

Affirming Vietnam's consistent viewpoint of taking people as the center, subject, goal, resource, and driving force of development, the Deputy Prime Minister said that the Strategy for the development of physical training and sports in Vietnam to 2030, with a vision to 2045, identifies: Building a sustainable and professional physical training and sports foundation. All people have access to and enjoy physical training and sports services; voluntarily practice to improve health, fitness, and quality of life.

With the spirit of "Solidarity, cooperation, sustainable development", Vietnam hopes that this Conference will not only stop at exchanging experiences but also exchange specific measures to implement the goals and priorities on sports and health development for people as stated in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, thereby opening a new phase of deeper, more effective cooperation and having a real impact on the lives and health of ASEAN people.

Minister Nguyen Van Hung delivered the opening speech at the Conference.

Appreciating the theme of this Conference: "Orientation of sports to contribute to sustainable development", Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh affirmed that the theme of the Conference has demonstrated the progressive thinking and strategic vision of ASEAN. Sustainability is not only economic development but also human development, community development, and social development in harmony with nature.

The Deputy Prime Minister suggested that the Conference focus on discussing, sharing and agreeing on five key orientations: Sports for all; Smart and creative sports; Green, clean and sustainable sports; Strengthening international cooperation between ASEAN and partners to build a transparent and modern sports ecosystem; Preserving and promoting the value of traditional sports.

"Vietnam hopes that through this Conference, we will together build a long-term vision for ASEAN sports, including the ASEAN Action Plan on Sports for the period 2026 - 2030, contributing to realizing the aspiration of "A strong, inclusive and sustainable ASEAN for all". I believe that, with the spirit of solidarity, responsibility and common vision, this Conference will create a new milestone in the history of regional sports cooperation, affirming ASEAN's position as a dynamic, creative and vibrant community" - Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh emphasized.

This conference will focus on discussing many important contents, comprehensively reflecting the development of regional sports in the new period.

The first ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports (AMMS) was held in 2011 in Indonesia, agreeing on a mechanism to hold the event every two years. After 14 years, AMMS has become an important high-level forum, contributing to promoting cooperation, policy exchange and action in the field of sports among ASEAN member countries.

In 2025, under the rotation mechanism, Vietnam will officially take on the role of chairing the 8th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports (AMMS 8) and related meetings, including the 5th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports + Japan (AMMS + Japan 5) and the 2nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports + China (AMMS + China 2).

This conference will focus on discussing many important contents, comprehensively reflecting the development of regional sports in the new period. The focus will include: developing professional sports associated with science and sports economics to enhance international competitiveness; promoting gender equality, encouraging the participation of women, youth and people with disabilities; preserving and promoting traditional sports, connecting with ASEAN culture and identity; establishing an ASEAN High Performance Sports Center to create an environment for training, exchanging expertise and improving athletes; at the same time promoting the role of sports in improving public health, contributing to the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and sustainable development.

It is expected that the Conference will adopt three Joint Statements: AMMS-8 Joint Statement, 5th AMMS+Japan Joint Statement and 2nd AMMS+China Joint Statement. In addition, relevant reports and documents of SOMS-15 and SOMS-16, along with the cooperation plan for the period after 2025, will also be reviewed and approved.

One of the important highlights at AMMS-8 is the expansion of sports cooperation between ASEAN and international partners outside the region. At the Conference, Vietnam and ASEAN member countries will discuss and approve specific cooperation plans, including: ASEAN + Japan Sports Cooperation Plan, focusing on women and sports, physical education, sports for people with disabilities and sustainable development through football; ASEAN + China Sports Cooperation Plan in the fields of health promotion, building ASEAN sports zones, developing traditional sports. In addition, ASEAN also promotes cooperation with many other partners such as Korea, FIFA, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and Regional Anti-Doping Organization (SEARADO).

These activities affirm that ASEAN is increasingly demonstrating its role as an open, dynamic sports community ready for international integration.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/khai-mac-hoi-nghi-bo-truong-asean-ve-the-thao-lan-thu-8-xay-dung-tam-nhin-dai-han-cho-the-thao-asean-20251016101711725.htm