By Margareth Theresia
Video = Official YouTube account of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) next month will hold its general assembly in Busan, the first time for the event to be held in Asia.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Nov. 25 said the event will run from Dec. 1-5 at BEXCO (Busan Exhibition and Convention Center) in the city's Haeundae-gu District. Organized by WADA and jointly hosted by Busan Metropolitan City and the Korea Anti-Doping Agency, the conference is held every six years as the world's largest on fighting doping in sports.

This year's edition is expected to attract some 2,000 people including anti-doping officials from 191 countries and key figures from international sports. WADA President Witold Banka, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry, and representatives from global sports federations will have in-depth talks on rules and policy directions for "fair, doping-free sports."

A major task is to finalize amendments to the World Anti-Doping Code and global standards, which all international sports federations and national anti-doping agencies must follow for six years from 2027. These statutes are the highest level of rules to ensure that all athletes worldwide can compete under equal conditions.

The general assembly will begin on Dec. 1 with a dinner hosted by Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-young at Nurimaru APEC House in the city's Haeundae-gu District. The opening ceremony and plenary session will follow the next day, and meetings and sessions of sector-specific subcommittees are slated from Dec. 3-5.

Minister Chae said, "We will use this conference to work with each country to achieve more transparent regulations, stronger science and safer athlete protection."

margareth@korea.kr