Paris, 3 September 2025. — As part of the preparations for the Tenth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the International Convention against Doping in Sport, to be held at UNESCO Headquarters from 20 to 22 October 2025, the Secretariat of the Convention convened an informative meeting to update States Parties on the thematic and organizational aspects of the upcoming biennial conference.
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Lidia Brito, Acting Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO, and Mr. Neil Murrell, President of COP9, with the participation of representatives of the Permanent Delegations to the Organization.
During the session, the provisional agenda of COP10 was presented, highlighting key issues for discussion such as the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Convention, the reform of its text, the election of a new Bureau, the financial strategy to strengthen the Fund, and the new lines of work related to Traditional Pharmacopoeia, ethical values, and integrity in sport. The importance of reinforcing international cooperation and ensuring the sustainability of support mechanisms for States Parties was also emphasized.
Representing the Permanent Delegation of Cuba to UNESCO, Third Secretary Laura Álvarez Delgado reaffirmed Cuba’s commitment to the implementation of the Convention.
During her intervention, the Cuban representative emphasized her country’s political will to continue strengthening national actions in the fight against doping in sport, in full alignment with the principles of the Convention. She highlighted the recent approval of the Law on the Cuban Sports System by the National Assembly of People’s Power in July 2025, which consolidates the national legal framework and incorporates principles of ethics, fair play, inclusion, gender equality, respect for diversity, and environmental and animal welfare protection.
Ms. Álvarez Delgado also underlined Cuba’s commitment to the Convention’s monitoring mechanism, as demonstrated by the timely submission of its biennial national reports. She noted, however, the challenges posed by the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States, which hinders access to essential materials, technology, and opportunities for international competition.
The Cuban diplomat further expressed Cuba’s support for efforts to clarify the responsibilities of different actors in the international anti-doping system, to strengthen programmes of cooperation and capacity-building, particularly for developing countries, and to advance towards greater financial sustainability of the Convention.
Finally, the Cuban representative welcomed the celebration of the Convention’s 20th anniversary and reported on several national initiatives organized in Cuba to mark the occasion, including sports, educational and awareness-raising activities to promote an anti-doping culture and the values of clean sport.