Having completed three days of successful meetings in Kuwait, I would like to thank all my colleagues from the International Olympic Committee, the Association of National Olympic Committees, Olympic Solidarity, the Olympic Council of Asia and the International Federations for their participation and their active contributions to the development of ANOC for the benefit of the entire Olympic Movement.

The meetings were highly productive and generated innovative ideas and concepts which will be developed in coordination with the IOC, before being presented to the General Assembly in Bangkok in November. The General Assembly will coincide with the first ever ANOC Gala Awards, which will also be held in Bangkok and provide an excellent opportunity to honour and celebrate Olympism worldwide. We have no doubt that the National Olympic Committee of Thailand will do an excellent job in hosting these events.

We wish the IOC Executive Board, under the leadership of IOC President Bach, and the SportAccord Convention, under the leadership of SportAccord President, Marius Vizer, great success in their meetings in Belek, Turkey, next week. I am sure that the outcome of both important events will benefit our sports, the Olympic Movement and especially our beloved athletes.

ANOC will cooperate closely with the International Olympic Committee to ensure the World Beach Games serves the interests of all concerned ©SportAccord



We are committed to the modernisation of ANOC and providing the very best environment for all athletes competing in sports within and outside the Olympic Programme, whilst maintaining the uniqueness, value and priority of the Olympic Games at all times.

We are in final negotiations with SportAccord in regards to the concept of the World Beach Games, and we will cooperate closely with the IOC to ensure that this new event serves the interests of the NOCs, IFs and athletes, and adds genuine value to the sports calendar. In this spirit of cooperation, we will create joint Commissions and Working Groups who will be responsible for reviewing and implementing this important project.