India re-elected as Vice-Chair of COP10 Bureau

India has been re-elected as Vice-Chairperson of Conference of Parties (COP10) Bureau to the International Convention against Doping in Sport. This decision was taken during the 10th Session of the COP10 held in Paris. In a statement the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said that during conference, India has facilitated provision of Interactive Boards displaying the journey of the Anti-Doping Convention. The Ministry added that the conference focused on discussions including strengthening governance and financing the Fund for the Elimination of Doping in Sport and others. The conference also marked the 20th anniversary of the anti-doping convention, which is a legally binded international instrument committed to promote integrity and eliminate doping in sport globally.

The Indian delegation was led by Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao and National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) Director General Anant Kumar. The officials engaged in discussions with representatives of the African Union, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and other stakeholders on enhancing anti-doping cooperation worldwide.

Azerbaijan was elected Chairperson of the COP10 Bureau, while Brazil, Zambia, and Saudi Arabia were chosen as Vice-Chairs representing their respective regional groups.India also contributed in-kind support to the COP10 proceedings by providing interactive display boards showcasing the journey and achievements of the Anti-Doping Convention. More than 500 delegates, including government representatives, anti-doping agencies, and members of UNESCO’s permanent delegations, attended the session. The discussions focused on governance reforms, financing the Fund for the Elimination of Doping in Sport, and addressing new challenges such as gene manipulation, traditional pharmacopoeia, and ethical concerns in sport.