In a historic move aimed at promoting clean, drug-free sport and safeguarding the health of athletes, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement, signed in Geneva, Switzerland, by WADA President Witold Bańka and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, paves the way for collaborative efforts between these two international organizations until October 1, 2027.
The primary focus of this MOU is to establish a framework for cooperation between WADA and WHO on issues where anti-doping and public health intersect. It encompasses various aspects, including health promotion, the prevention of substance abuse, emerging drug-related concerns, and the promotion of clean sports worldwide.
Witold Bańka, WADA President, expressed his enthusiasm about this milestone.
"The memorandum of understanding signed today with the World Health Organization is a watershed moment that will benefit anti-doping efforts worldwide. WADA leads the global collaborative mission for doping-free sport, and, in so doing, we also protect the health of individuals around the world," Witold Bańka voiced.
One of the key criteria for substances to be added to WADA's Prohibited List is if they represent an actual or potential health risk to athletes. Through this agreement, experts from both organizations will collaborate to exchange information on emerging substances and reinforce scientific positions to ensure the well-being of athletes and society as a whole.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, highlighted the importance of this partnership in promoting healthier lives for all.
"Sport and all forms of physical activity are essential to good health, and competitive sport plays a key role in inspiring people to be more active. Keeping sport clean has benefits beyond the sporting arena for the health and well-being of individuals and societies everywhere," Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shared.
The themes covered by the MOU include:
- Prevention and Assessment of Health Risks: This includes assessing health risks associated with psychoactive substance use and related disorders, focusing on doping compounds and substance use among athletes.
- Awareness and Advocacy: Both organizations will work together to raise awareness of clean sport and substance misuse prevention on a global scale.
- Education Initiatives: The partnership aims to raise awareness through education initiatives, with the support of goodwill ambassadors and influencers, to drive positive change in the sporting community.
- Collaboration on Sub-standard and Falsified Medical Products: This involves the identification of new emerging psychoactive drugs through sharing information, mutual support, and engagement with sports federations.
- Reporting on Abuse and Misuse: The MOU includes provisions for reporting on the abuse and misuse of falsified and sub-standard medical products in sports.
This agreement also aligns with both organizations' common objective of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Goal 3: Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. These goals are part of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which serves as a blueprint for global peace and prosperity.
This formal agreement between WADA and WHO follows an initial meeting between the two organizations at the WHO headquarters in Geneva in April 2023. It represents a significant step forward in the shared mission of preserving the integrity of sport and safeguarding the health of athletes on a global scale.
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