Proposing 4 key priorities in the period 2026-2030

VHO - On October 16 in Hanoi, right after the opening session, under the chairmanship of the Party Central Committee member, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Chairman of the Vietnam Olympic Committee Nguyen Van Hung, the 8th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports (AMMS-8) held its first session.

Minister Nguyen Van Hung chaired the meeting at AMMS-8

Proposing 4 key priorities in the period 2026-2030

The event was attended by Ministers, Heads of Sports Delegations from 10 ASEAN member countries, Timor-Leste and representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat, to review sports cooperation for the 2021-2025 period and set the direction for the new Action Plan 2026-2030.

At the Conference, on behalf of the Vietnamese delegation, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong presented a report summarizing the results of the 16th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Sports (SOMS-16) and new initiatives. In particular, it is clear that: Vietnam has completed the draft ASEAN - FIFA Memorandum of Understanding on football development and sports integrity, expected to be signed at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia in October 2025.

At the Conference, on behalf of the Vietnamese delegation, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong presented a report summarizing the results of the 16th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Sports.

The ASEAN-WADA Memorandum of Understanding on Anti-Doping has also been approved by the countries, aiming to improve compliance capacity and standardize doping control processes in the region.

Regarding the orientation for 2026-2030, Deputy Minister Hoang Dao Cuong proposed four key priorities: Innovation in training coaches and athletes; Application of digital transformation in management and organization of sports events; Promotion of sustainable and environmentally friendly sports; Strengthening the role of sports in building a united, peaceful and prosperous ASEAN community.

Also at the Conference, Ms. Le Thi Hoang Yen - Deputy Director of the Vietnam Sports Department reported the results of the 15th and 16th ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting on Sports.

Accordingly, in the 2021-2025 period, ASEAN countries have completed about 94% of the Action Plan on Sports objectives, including: Developing community sports, school sports, sports for people with disabilities and improving management and training capacity. Cooperation programs have been effectively implemented thanks to the support of dialogue partners such as: China, Japan, Korea, FIFA, WADA and many other international organizations.

These results contribute to affirming ASEAN as a cohesive, responsible community and oriented towards sustainable development through sports. Vietnam also emphasizes the role of sports in the national social welfare system, considering it an important tool to improve people's health, improve quality of life and spread a healthy lifestyle.

Initiative to establish an ASEAN Centre for Excellence in Sports Coaching

In his speech at the meeting, Mr. Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu - Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Malaysia - presented the initiative to build the ASEAN Centre of Excellence for Sports Coaching.

Representatives of countries at the meeting

This is considered a strategic initiative to improve the capacity of coaches, standardize professional qualifications and enhance the sharing of sports knowledge among member countries. Malaysia aims to turn this center into a “hub of excellence” - a leading sports training convergence point in the region, contributing to the building of a modern, sustainable and ASEAN-identified coaching ecosystem.

In addition, Malaysia also emphasized the promotion of regional sports industry development, linking sports with economy and tourism, expanding international cooperation, especially with FIFA and WADA. Mr. Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu affirmed that during his term as Chairman in 2025, Malaysia will continue to promote the spirit of “Sports for Solidarity and Sustainable Development”, towards a common vision of a dynamic, creative and sustainable ASEAN.

The AMMS-8 Conference highly agreed with Vietnam's proposals and assessed that new initiatives will contribute to perfecting the comprehensive ASEAN sports cooperation framework, creating a foundation for the 2026-2030 development period.

The meeting was held on October 16.

The heads of delegations affirmed that sports will continue to be a source of inspiration for the younger generation and a tool to promote peace, cooperation and sustainable development in the ASEAN Community. Vietnam is recognized for its effective coordination, leadership and deep integration in the regional sports sector.

At the same time, Vietnam and member countries sent their best wishes to Thailand as it prepares to host the Southeast Asian Games later this year.

At the end of the meeting, Minister Nguyen Van Hung expressed his belief that: “AMMS-8 is not only a place to evaluate achievements, but also an opportunity for us to work towards a more prosperous ASEAN - where sports become a driving force for unity, development and spreading humanistic values, peace and happiness”.

Minister Nguyen Van Hung once again affirmed the importance of sports in the three main pillars of ASEAN. Sports not only contribute to strengthening security and improving health, but are also a pillar that connects people to people, promoting understanding and friendship between countries.

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam highly appreciated Indonesia’s initiative in proposing a common program towards the Olympics, considering it an opportunity for ASEAN countries to learn and develop together. He also acknowledged Malaysia’s proposal on developing the sports economy as a practical direction to link sports with sustainable growth.

“Sports not only contribute to health but also bring economic, cultural and social values. This is proof that sports is a field that converges all factors for comprehensive human development,” Minister Nguyen Van Hung emphasized.

On the afternoon of October 16, the 8th AMMS Conference continued to take place under the chairmanship of Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong to review and approve the Joint Statement of AMMS 8 as well as the time and venue of the 9th AMMS Conference.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/de-xuat-4-uu-tien-trong-tam-trong-giai-doan-20262030-175146.html