Abdulla Rafiu, the Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation, attended the 20th Asia/Oceania Intergovernmental Ministerial Meeting on Anti-Doping in Sport, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 17 to 18 June. He joined more than 80 senior officials from 33 Asian and Oceanian nations for the two-day gathering.
The two-day summit brought together sports ministers, representatives from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), host government officials, and delegates from anti-doping and sporting bodies across the region. It served as a platform to deepen regional coordination and exchange effective practices aimed at safeguarding the integrity of sport. Discussions centred on affirming a shared commitment to clean competition, refining preparations for the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code, and mapping strategies to counter emerging threats to fair play.
This year's gathering marked the UAE's second time hosting the conference, an effort the UAE government described as emblematic of its ongoing leadership in anti-doping policy. The 17th edition took place in the Emirates in 2022, drawing 14 ministers from 36 participating nations. The previous summit, the 19th, was convened in Uzbekistan and included representatives from 38 countries.