This week, Governmental representatives and policy makers, National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from across the Pacific, as well as the Asia Oceania office of the World Anti-Doping Agency, will gather in Australia for the first-ever deployment of UNESCO’s Regional Capacity-Building Programme, focused on enhancing compliance with global anti-doping standards and reinforcing sport integrity.
The programme, co-hosted by UNESCO and Sport Integrity Australia (SIA), is a timely opportunity to provide hands-on support to government officials on implementing the International Convention against Doping in Sport at the national level, and to hear first-hand from Pacific States about their specific needs and challenges, in view of enabling tailor-made assistance by the Convention’s Secretariat.
With this year marking the 20th anniversary of the Anti-Doping Convention, and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, this is a critical moment for Pacific nations to strengthen anti-doping frameworks, prepare, and empower athletes for international competition.
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SIA’s role as co-host of this event is part of its ongoing Pacific Engagement Strategy, aimed at collaborating with its regional partners and the Oceania Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (ORADO) on sport integrity matters.
The strategy acknowledges the close geographic, cultural, and sporting ties between Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific nations, as well as the regular movement of athletes across borders. It also recognises the unique challenges faced by Pacific nations, including limited resources and infrastructure for anti-doping programs.
“SIA is proud to co-host this important event, in Brisbane, alongside UNESCO as part of our commitment to building anti-doping capability across the Pacific,” said SIA Deputy CEO, Luke McCann.
“This programme is a key step in our broader international strategy to unite domestic and global efforts to protect the integrity of sport. As we look toward Brisbane 2032, it’s critical that all nations in our region are equipped with the systems, support and safeguards needed to ensure a level playing field.
“By working together, sharing expertise and building strong partnerships, we can help create lasting change. As a global leader in clean sport, SIA is committed to assisting our colleagues at UNESCO, WADA and across the Pacific to strengthen anti-doping processes and compliance, while keeping the health and well-being of athletes at the centre of all we do.”
Executive Secretary of UNESCO's International Convention against Doping in Sport, Marcellin Dally, said the inaugural session of the Regional Capacity-Building Programme marks a significant milestone in the fight against doping in sport in the Pacific region.
I am proud to announce that this initiative prioritizes support for Small Island Developing States, recognizing their unique challenges and vulnerabilities.
Through a comprehensive, interactive training agenda developed by the Secretariat of the Anti-Doping Convention, this week’s programme will:
- Equip government and NADO officials with knowledge and tools to implement the Convention and ensure alignment with the World Anti-Doping Code.
- Promote regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing on best practices.
- Support the development of sustainable national anti-doping coordination mechanisms.
- Strengthen anti-doping education, policy, and enforcement frameworks across the region.
Australia’s long-standing investment in anti-doping in the Pacific region – spanning over 15 years – demonstrates a deep commitment to fostering a sporting culture built on fairness, integrity, and respect. By co-hosting this programme, Sport Integrity Australia continues to work collaboratively with Pacific nations to create a safer, fairer, and more inclusive sporting environment for all.
The programme represents a vital step forward in the collective effort to protect the integrity of sport and ensure that all athletes, regardless of where they are from, can compete on a level playing field.
Following the programme, SIA will lead a two-day collaboration with Pacific NADOs allowing further discussions and an opportunity to better understand how we can work together to strengthen their anti-doping programs, as well as compliance with the Convention and WADA’s World Anti-Doping Code.