UNESCO-ICSS MINEPS V follow-up meeting concludes as experts agree next steps to combat match-fixing
The UNESCO-ICSS MINEPS V follow-up meeting concluded today as over 60 international experts agreed to fulfil the recommendations and commitments adopted in the Declaration of Berlin on the manipulation of sports competitions.
Organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS), the meeting saw over 60 international experts from a diverse range of countries and sectors participate in two days of extensive discussion across a range of topics aimed at combatting match-fixing.
Key areas discussed during the meeting include:
- National Legislation to combat match-fixing
- Dialogue and Cooperation
- Information and Data Exchange
- Funding and Resourcing Models
- Prevention Models against match-fixing
Further consultation at a regional level, including an Asia-Pacific Working Group, will now be undertaken which will result in concrete recommendations being put forward to MINEPS VI.
Following his participation at the meeting, Mr. G. Kannan, Senior Deputy Public Prosecutor, Attorney General’s Chamber, Singapore said:
“Match-fixing is a problem that no one country can tackle by itself. It is a problem that urgently requires best practices of countries to be shared so common priorities can be set to combat match-fixing.
“We have to work together on an international level to combat this problem. This is an excellent forum in starting that process.”
Speaking at the conclusion of the UNESCO-ICSS follow-up meeting, Ms Ângela Melo, Director, Division for Youth Ethics and Sport, Sector for Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO said:
“The last two days have provided an important opportunity to gather international experts from a diverse set of countries and sectors to identify a pathway to implement the MINEPS V commitments on the manipulation of sport competitions.
“On behalf of UNESCO, I wish to underline the enhanced cooperation between governments, regulatory authorities and sports federations, which will be key to realising the vision of MINEPS V and the policy commitments made by countries to combat match-fixing.”
Making his closing remarks, ICSS President Mohammed Hanzab said:
“Whilst today was a significant step forward in the fight to protect sport, we must continue to work together to develop a global approach to combatting match-fixing and organised crime in sport.
“I am confident that following this follow-up meeting, which included over 60 international experts from various countries and sectors, we will deliver with UNESCO solid recommendations on the manipulation of sports competitions to be tabled at MINEPS VI.
“On behalf of the ICSS, I would like to thank UNESCO and look forward to continuing our work with them, as we work towards developing a coordinated international platform to fight match-fixing and protect sport from the very real threat of organised crime.”
