Opening of the 16th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Sports, the 8th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports and related meetings

On the morning of October 13, in Hanoi, the opening ceremony of the 16th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Sports (SOMS 16), the 8th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports (AMMS 8) and related conferences took place with the theme: "Orientation of Sports contributing to sustainable development".

The conference was attended by about 200 delegates including Ministers, Deputy Ministers, heads of sports agencies of ASEAN countries and Timor Leste; ASEAN senior officials on sports; representatives of ministries and sports agencies of Japan, China and relevant international organizations.

On the morning of October 13, the 16th ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting on Sports (SOMS 16), the 8th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports (AMMS 8) and related conferences opened in Hanoi.

The focus of the Conference includes: 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 the ASEAN High Performance Sports Center to create an environment for training, exchanging expertise and improving athletes; Promoting the role of sports in improving public health, contributing to the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and sustainable development; Promoting cooperation between ASEAN member countries and dialogue countries (Japan, China, Korea...) and international organizations; Enhancing the role and responsibility of Vietnam in ASEAN's specialized cooperation mechanism; Promoting the image of the country and people of Vietnam to international friends, enhancing friendship and mutual understanding in the ASEAN community.

The Conference is expected to adopt Joint Statements and other important documents, assess the implementation results of the ASEAN Sports Action Plan for the period 2021-2025; discuss and develop directions and plans for ASEAN sports activities for the next period, adopt the results of the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meetings on Sports; develop a plan for ASEAN Sports cooperation with Japan, China and other partners. In addition, relevant reports and documents of SOMS 15 and SOMS 16, along with a cooperation plan for the period after 2025, will also be reviewed and approved.

The conference was attended by about 200 delegates.

Speaking at the opening of the Conference, Director of the Vietnam Sports Administration Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet said that looking back over the past period, ASEAN sports have achieved many successes, the Southeast Asian Games have been a great success, the community sports movement has spread strongly, many athletes have made their mark in the continental and world arenas. However, to develop sustainably, the ASEAN region needs to face challenges: social change, pressure of international integration, the need to balance achievements and comprehensive development.

In that spirit, Director Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet proposed that ASEAN member countries join hands to implement four important orientations: Sports for health and inclusiveness; High-performance sports associated with science and technology; Preserving and promoting traditional sports; Regional and international cooperation.

Director of the Vietnam Sports Administration Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet delivered the opening speech at the conference.

"Sports is not only about medals or achievements, but also about people, culture and solidarity. With the spirit of "A united and dynamic ASEAN", I believe that with the consensus of all member countries, we will build a dynamic, creative and sustainable ASEAN Sports Community, contributing to the common prosperity of the region while creating new marks, contributing to making sports a driving force for community cohesion and a common pride of the whole region" - Director Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet shared.

One of the important highlights at AMMS 8 is coordinating with the ASEAN Secretariat to comment on documents and promote cooperation with many other partners such as: Korea, the International Football Federation (FIFA), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Regional Anti-Doping Organization (SEARADO).

Promote Vietnam's image to international friends

Hosting AMMS 8 is not only a responsibility within the ASEAN sports cooperation mechanism but also an important opportunity for Vietnam to affirm its role and international prestige; promote the image of the country, people and sports of Vietnam to regional friends; and strengthen friendship and mutual understanding within the ASEAN community.

The conference is also an opportunity to promote the image, foundation, and tourism of Vietnam to international friends.

This is also an opportunity for Vietnam to effectively implement the Party and State's major policies on multilateral foreign affairs, in the spirit of Conclusion No. 59-KL/TW of the Politburo, Directive No. 25-CT/TW of the Secretariat and Decision No. 161/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister.

Sharing on the sidelines of the Conference, Director Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet added that hosting the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports and related Conferences is an opportunity to affirm Vietnam's role and position in the region, while promoting ASEAN sports cooperation. This is also an opportunity for Vietnam to access international management experience, development models and resources. Fields such as: Sports Science, Physical Education, Sports for the Disabled, or School Sports will be promoted through international cooperation, thereby enhancing the comprehensive capacity of Vietnamese Sports.

It is known that in this organization, based on the working schedule, the host Vietnam will arrange a suitable time, organize for delegates to visit destinations, outstanding cultural heritages of Hanoi, Ninh Binh... to introduce the natural wonders of Vietnam to international friends.

"This is not simply an event to discuss the common work of sports in the region, but also an opportunity to promote to international friends about the foundation of Vietnamese sports, and at the same time, it is a driving force for sports development, connecting culture as in the spirit of the Party Congress of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism: "Culture is the foundation - Information is the conduit - Sports is the strength - Tourism is the connecting bridge". We must harmoniously combine the spearheads of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism with sports, thereby promoting common activities, contributing to the development of the sports economy" - Director Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet emphasized./.

Proposal to establish ASEAN community training center

According to information from the ASEAN Secretariat, Malaysia has proposed to establish an ASEAN community training center. According to Director Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet, the center will contribute to promoting the role of sports integration and at the same time create a supportive environment between countries in the region.

"Regarding the idea, ASEAN countries have a high consensus. The establishment of the center will be discussed further at this Conference" - Director Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet said.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/khai-mac-hoi-nghi-quan-chuc-cap-cao-asean-ve-the-thao-lan-thu-16-hoi-nghi-bo-truong-asean-ve-the-thao-lan-thu-8-va-cac-hoi-nghi-lien-quan-20251013103628499.htm