Communiqué of the Bureau of the VII Conference of the Parties
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fundamental principles of integrity, ethics and dialogue are necessary more than ever in all fields of action. These principles are integral to UNESCO’s International Convention against Doping in Sport (2005), the pre-eminent international instrument regarding the prevention of doping in sport.
The Bureau is aware that the United States legislature is examining the Rodchenkov Act which contains measures to be taken against those who seek to influence the outcome of sport competitions using banned doping substances. The Bureau has also taken note that the US Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has published a report containing a series of recommendations to the United States legislature regarding the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The Bureau notes that States Parties, including the US Government, have committed to take measures to achieve the purposes of the Convention by adopting legislation, regulation, policies or administrative practices, on the basis that these measures will be consistent with the principles of the World Anti-Doping Code, and to support the important mission of WADA in the international fight against doping.
Bearing in mind the importance of international cooperation in defending the ethics, integrity and universal values of sport, the Bureau encourages a multilateral approach, based on dialogue, promoting convergence and harmonization, while ensuring that the provisions of the Convention are applied and respected.
In view of its mandate conferred by the COP, the Bureau will take all necessary steps to facilitate and strengthen collaboration with all concerned stakeholders – at the national and international levels – to address these matters.
Background:
The significance of the Convention is underlined by the fact that 189 States Parties have ratified this international instrument, with its implementation overseen by the Conference of Parties (‘COP’), the collective assembly of the States Parties.
The COP has appointed the Bureau to take a pivotal role in facilitating engagement, providing strategic insights on behalf of the COP and ensuring agile, robust and galvanized implementation of the Convention. The Bureau is also tasked with enhancing cooperation with all stakeholders involved in the fight against doping in sport.
The Bureau will follow-up on the resolutions adopted at COP7 and develop recommendations to States Parties which will also take account of the entry into force of the revised World Anti-Doping Code on 1 January 2021.