VINH PHUC—The 15th ASEAN Senior Official Meeting on Sports (SOMS-15) commenced in Vinh Phuc province, northern Vietnam, on October 14. This year’s meeting attracted 70 delegates from ten ASEAN member states, Timor Leste, Japan, China, the ASEAN Secretariat, and other partners. The gathering is pivotal for the progression of regional sports collaboration and development.
According to Vietnam News Agency, the hybrid event focused on implementing the decisions made during SOMS-14, which took place in Thailand last year. The agenda included updates from the secretariat and discussions on the ASEAN Work Plan on Sports for 2021-2025, as well as various significant projects and upcoming events. The schedule also highlighted that the seventh ASEAN Plus Japan SOMS and the third ASEAN Plus China SOMS are slated for October 15 and 16, respectively.
Vietnam, which joined SOMS in 2012 and hosted its first meeting in Hanoi in 2014, plays a significant role in fostering regional sports initiatives through such forums. This ongoing engagement underscores the country’s commitment to enhancing sports policies and promoting active participation across the ASEAN community.