On 7 June 2023, in Oslo, the Deputy Secretary General, Bjørn Berge, participated in the Anti-Doping Norway's 20-Year Anniversary seminar dedicated to the Guiding Principles for the Future of Anti-Doping, organised in collaboration with the Institute of National Anti-doping Organisations (iNADO).

In his opening remarks, the Deputy Secretary General referred to the crucial work of national anti-doping organisations (NADOs) in helping to build a global anti-doping system that is effective and human rights-based, also through partnerships to develop ideas and exchange best practices. He emphasised the Council of Europe’s determination in the safeguarding of human rights in the fight for clean sport but also athletes’ rights to privacy, integrity and dignity. Last year the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers adopted a Recommendation on fair procedure applicable to anti-doping proceedings in sport.

“The Council of Europe Anti-doping Convention, adopted more than 30 years ago, is more relevant than ever today. Since then, we have supported the establishment of the World Anti-doping Agency, WADA, and put in place a Monitoring group to oversee how the State Parties implement the Anti-Doping Convention. Today, we are looking at further ways to deliver change in areas such as the independence and impartiality of anti-doping procedures, including gender equality. iNADO’s Declaration of Guiding Principles for the Future of Anti-Doping is central in supporting this change of approach”, said the Deputy Secretary General.

The seminar discussed Good Governance of NADOs as well as different aspects of the access to justice and due process in anti-doping and explored possible avenues for strengthening the follow-up of iNADO’s Guiding Principles.

The Chair of Anti-Doping Norway, Rune Andersen, welcomed the participants to the seminar and keynote speeches were delivered by Michael Ask from the International Testing Agency (ITA) and Dr. Andrea Gotzmann, chairperson of the NADA Germany. Other speakers included: Dr. Zhan Hui, Deputy Director General, CHINADA, Arnout Geeraert, Universiteit Utrecht, Siobhán Leonard, Director of Anti-Doping & Ethics, Sport Ireland, Žaneta Csáderová, Director, Slovak Anti-Doping Agency, Kim Højgaard Ravn, CEO, Anti-Doping Denmark, Tom May, Director, NADO/RADO Relations, WADA, Jorge Leyva, CEO, iNADO, Allison Wagner and Director of International and Athlete Relations, USADA. Anders Solheim, CEO of Anti-Doping Norway (ADNO) wrapped up the first day of the meeting.