JAKARTA, 15 November 2023 – ASEAN Secretariat and FIFA co-hosted a Consultative Workshop on the Renewal of Memorandum of Understanding between ASEAN and Fédération Internationale de Football Association (ASEAN-FIFA MoU), in conjunction with the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023™.

Thirty representatives of ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Sports (SOMS) and FIFA’s South East Asian Member Associations (MAs), as well as ASEAN Secretariat and FIFA, attended the event and exchanged views on shared needs and expectations in advancing cooperation among football stakeholders to craft priority areas for the MoU’s next phase.

 “Today’s session was an excellent opportunity to lay good foundations for the collaboration plan for the renewed MoU by listening to everyone’s views, discussing areas and activities to be undertaken,” said Sanjeevan Balasingam FIFA Director Member Associations Asia & Oceania in his remarks. “The overall aim was to create greater synergies between the different stakeholders so that the renewed MoU is more needs-driven to have a greater impact through football in the ASEAN community,” he added.

The Jakarta workshop was punctuated by interactive workshops to better understand the role of each stakeholder and enhance synergies between SOMS and MAs, with the presence of Timor-Leste’s Football Federation as an observer.

Leading up to the impending expiry of the 2019’s MoU, as well as ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports’ recent decision to facilitate the renewal of this agreement aimed in advancing ASEAN’s football industry, this workshop serves as an important step to strengthen collaboration between SOMS and MAs in implementing activities across a wide range of areas: Sports for Integrity, Sports for Development, FIFA Football for School Programme^TM (F4S), Football Stadia and Facilities, Inclusive Football, with a new component on climate change.

“The ASEAN Sports Ministers also looked forward to advancing the implementation of the MoU between ASEAN and FIFA through a more synergised approach,” said Dr. Niwat Limsuknirun, Chairperson of SOMS and Director General of the Department of Physical Education, Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand during his remarks.

While applauding the tireless efforts of FIFA and ASEAN in the organisation of this Workshop, Ario Bimo Nandito Ariotedjo, Minister of Youth and Sports of Indonesia added that “The collaboration between these organisations exemplifies a shared vision for the growth and development of football, not just as a sport but as a catalyst for regional cooperation. Together, we can create a roadmap that not only strengthens the ties between ASEAN Nations and FIFA but also elevates the standard of football across our region”.

Since the signing of the MoU during the 35^th ASEAN Summit in November 2019, a significant number of initiatives across a wide range of areas have been carried out by ASEAN, FIFA, and the MAs despite the COVID-19 pandemic by leveraging online activities and e-learning tools.

Moving forward, emerging ideas and suggestions for strengthening the collaboration between SOMS and MAs in implementing the renewed ASEAN-FIFA MoU, will be informed through updating process of priority areas and formulation of a preliminary list of activities for the ASEAN-FIFA Collaboration Plan 2024-2029.

Following the workshop, participants visited the Jakarta International Stadium to watch the France vs ROK match in the FIFA U-17 World Cup™.

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Other notable activities between FIFA and ASEAN may be accessed through the following link:

• ASEAN-FIFA campaigns on COVID-19 awareness and promoting healthy lifestyle: #BeActive, #FiveSteps, and #ReachOut
• Initiation and implementation of the F4S Programme^TM in eight ASEAN Member States;
• Translation of football integrity e-learning resources into ASEAN languages;
• ASEAN-FIFA Webinars on Women’s Football Development, Universal Design of Stadia and Facilities, and Anti-Doping Education Programme (with Southeast Asia Regional Anti-Doping Organisation); and
• Capacity-building for Integrity Officers of member associations from ASEAN within the context of the FIFA Global Integrity Programme