This year’s meeting continues to play an important role in strengthening ASEAN–Japan cooperation in the field of sports toward 2030 and in deepening the ASEAN–Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It also reviewed relevant outcomes and decisions adopted at other ASEAN meetings since the 7th SOMS + Japan.
The conference was co-chaired by Mr. Nguyen Hong Minh, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Sports Authority, and Ms. Higuchi Keiko, Director General of the Japan Sports Agency
Ms. Higuchi Keiko, Director General of the Japan Sports Agency
Speaking at the conference, Mr. Nguyen Hong Minh emphasized: The theme of the 16th ASEAN Senior Sports Officials Meeting - "Orientation of sports, contributing to sustainable development" - is completely consistent with Japan's cooperation goals. Vietnam commits to actively participating in cooperation programs within the ASEAN-Japan framework to promote exchanges, experience sharing and regional sports development.
Over recent years, ASEAN–Japan cooperation in sports has been carried out regularly and effectively. Collaborative activities have focused on areas such as sports for persons with disabilities, women’s and girls’ participation in sports, physical education, sports policy development, and the professional training of coaches and sports administrators. All these efforts contribute to sustainable development across the region under Japan’s leadership.
“Since 2023, ASEAN and Japan have continued to actively implement cooperation programs, several of which are scheduled to conclude in 2026,” Mr. Minh said. “We hope that both Japan and ASEAN will achieve the desired results and further expand cooperation in all areas of sports.”
On the Japanese side, Ms. Higuchi Keiko expressed her pleasure at co-chairing the conference, emphasizing the significance of this year's event as it concludes the ASEAN Work Plan on Sports 2021-2025 and opens a new phase of cooperation. Japan pledged to continue supporting ASEAN initiatives in priority areas including Physical Education, Gender Equality, Para Sports, Anti-Doping and Sports Management, in line with the Chiang Mai Declaration 2023.
Ms. Higuchi highlighted that this year’s meeting focuses on several key areas, including: The development of physical education teachers and sports coaches; The promotion of women’s participation in sports; The advancement of sports for persons with disabilities; The enhancement of anti-doping capacity; and The strengthening of sports management.
During the meeting, project directors presented progress reports and future priorities. Ms. Higuchi expressed her hope to receive valuable feedback from delegates on ongoing projects and on the ASEAN–Japan Sports Cooperation Framework 2030, which will contribute to the ASEAN Action Plan on Sports 2026–2030, further promoting ASEAN–Japan sports cooperation in the years ahead.
PV