The inception workshop for the development of the collaboration plan under the ASEAN-FIFA memorandum of understanding (MoU), which was concluded in November 2019 at the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, took place on 5 August.

The MoU aims to foster synergies and guide the collaboration between the two organisations in leveraging football as a catalyst for social development and healthy lifestyles, including by enhancing inclusive access to football, protecting the integrity of the game, promoting education through football and expanding networks and professional capacity-building in football.

Participants included representatives from Ministries of Sport and Education of ASEAN Member States, from the ASEAN Secretariat and FIFA.

The virtual workshop provided an opportunity to provide participants with an overview of FIFA’s activities, ranging from cooperation with international and regional intergovernmental organisations through the fight against match manipulation, anti-doping, stadium safety and security, and child safeguarding to football development, the FIFA Foundation Football for Schools Programme and the FIFA U-20 World Cup Indonesia 2021.

Participants also explored concrete collaboration activities in breakout sessions and exchanged views on collaboration mechanisms.

Following this fruitful kick-off meeting, it is envisaged that the collaboration plan will be finalised in the coming months in parallel with the ongoing elaboration of the ASEAN Work Plan on Sports 2021-2025.