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World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Conference Just One Month Away

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that the “2025 World Anti-Doping Agency Conference” (hereinafter “the Conference”), which will discuss global anti-doping policies, is now just one month away.

Co-hosted by the city and the Korea Anti-Doping Agency (KADA, President Yang Yun-jun), the Conference will be held in Busan—the first host city in Asia—from December 1 to 5 at BEXCO.

Approximately 2,000 anti-doping officials from 191 countries around the world are expected to attend, drawing the attention of both domestic and international sports communities to Busan.

The Conference will welcome prominent figures in global sports, including Witold Bańka, President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA); Kirsty Coventry, Chair of the International Olympic Committee (IOC); and representatives from various international sports federations. They will come together to discuss the future of fair, doping-free sports. Notably, this will mark Chair Coventry’s first visit to Korea since taking office.

In preparation for a conference that fosters participation and empathy from citizens, Busan Metropolitan City and KADA have organized a pre-event promotional video and on-site programs on the opening day (December 2).

[Pre-event promotional video]
Starting today (November 3), both organizations will release a joint promotional video on their official YouTube channels, featuring their mascots “Boogi” and “Tonton.” Set against the backdrop of major sports venues such as BEXCO, Sajik Baseball Stadium, and the Busan Sports Council’s Wolgye Hall, the video delivers a cheerful message about the importance of the conference and anti-doping awareness.

[On-site program]
On December 2, Olympic and Paralympic medalists who serve on the athlete committees of WADA and KADA will visit schools in Busan to engage with students. They will conduct anti-doping education sessions, mentoring, and one-point lessons. Among the participants will be athlete committee member Kim Yeon-kyung, who recently began a new career as a coach through a popular entertainment program, as well as Kim Na-ra (Gymnastics) and Hong Seok-man (Wheelchair Athletics). They are expected to share the meaning of fair play and deliver positive messages to young participants.

Meanwhile, the Conference will officially begin with an opening ceremony at 5 p.m. on December 2, followed by the main agenda sessions and a variety of programs through December 5.

Key agenda items include the amendment of the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code and international standards, the vision and achievements of the global anti-doping program, and athlete rights and anti-doping systems.

Particular emphasis will be placed on expanding anti-doping education beyond athletes to include support staff and other related personnel, highlighting the broader importance of doping prevention. The final day will feature the adoption of the “Busan Declaration,” presenting a shared global vision for fair sports.

Kim Il-hwan, Secretary-General of the Korea Anti-Doping Agency (KADA), stated,
“Since 2022, KADA and the city have been closely preparing for this Conference over three years. As this meeting will determine the anti-doping code and international standards to be applied to all sports in the future, we will continue to work in close cooperation with WADA and Busan Metropolitan City to ensure its successful conclusion.”

Son Tae-uk, Director General of the Sports Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City, said,
“We are now just one month away from the 2025 World Anti-Doping Agency Conference. We will do our utmost to successfully host this global event and showcase Busan’s strength to the world. This conference will serve as a valuable opportunity to further promote Busan’s reputation as a global sports hub city.”