Among about 200 delegates were Rodora T Babaran, Director of Human Development, ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Department of the ASEAN Secretariat. She was joined by ministers, deputy ministers, heads of sports agencies from ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste, alongside senior sports officials from the region.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director of the Sports Authority of Viet Nam (SAV) Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet expressed his honor to welcome delegates and distinguished guests to Ha Noi’s SOMS 16 in 2025 and related meetings.
Director Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet said the meeting’s theme of “Navigating Sports - Contributing to Sustainable Development” reflected the region’s shared vision of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to make sports a driving force for health, unity, and social development.
“In recent years, ASEAN sports have achieved remarkable successes, hosting successful SEA Games, promoting community sports activities, and numerous athletes from the region establishing their positions on the continental and world stage,” Director Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet said.
“However, to achieve sustainable development, ASEAN sports must address challenges such as social changes, the pressures of international integration, and the need to balance performance with development.”
Director Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet ended his speech by delivering a message: "Sports is not only about medals or achievements, but also about people, culture and connection."
In the spirit of “A United and Dynamic ASEAN”, Director Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet shared: “With the collective consensus of all member countries, we aim to build a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable ASEAN Sports Community -- one that contributes to the region’s shared prosperity while creating new milestones, making sports a driving force for unity and a source of pride for the entire ASEAN community.”
After the opening ceremony, the SOMS 16 and related conferences began discussion sessions chaired by SAV Deputy Director Nguyen Hong Minh.
Accordingly, the delegates approved the meeting agenda; reviewed relevant decisions from other ASEAN conferences since SOMS 15; addressed issues arising from SOMS 15; and discussed the implementation of the ASEAN Action Plan on Sports for 2021-2025, the celebration of ASEAN Sports Day, and major sporting events hosted by ASEAN member countries.
The ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports (AMMS), held biennially since 2011, serves as a key high-level platform for policy dialogue and cooperation in sports among ASEAN member countries. In 2025, under the rotational mechanism, Viet Nam officially takes on the role of chair.
The series of events includes the AMMS 8, SOMS 16, fifth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports + Japan (AMMS + Japan 5), and second ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports + China (AMMS + China 2).
The theme of the Conference is “Navigating Sports - Contributing to Sustainable Development”.
Thanh Ha