During the three-week roaming vote May 2023 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADAs) meeting Executive Committee (ExCo), WADA’s Foundation Board (Board of Directors) formally approves changes to WADA Charter And Governance Arrangements required as a result of the agency’s recent sweeping reforms. governance structure since that time May 2022.
Following the consultation process with ExCo and the Board members, the final documents were prepared and submitted to the Board for approval. Of the 38 Board members, 33 voted in favor of the revisions and 1 against, and within the specified time, four had not yet arrived. The amendments have also been provisionally approved by the Swiss Authorities, which, as WADA is a Swiss foundation, must formally approve the Charter.
WADA Executive Director Olivier Niggli said:We are pleased to see that our long-standing and far-reaching governance reform process, which began in 2016 and has delivered dozens of meaningful improvements to the way WADA works, is nearly complete. These reforms make WADA more efficient, effective, athlete-centred, transparent and independent. It is very encouraging to see such broad support for these reforms from our members, including independents, athletes, representatives of world governments and the Sports Movement.”
Reforms strengthen the voices and roles of athletes through the establishment of WADA. Athlete Council and the inclusion of its President in ExCo. They also pioneered the establishment of the Independent Ethics Committee and ensured the establishment of the Risk and Audit Committee, which is currently being formed.
As part of these changes to the Statutes and Governance Regulations, the Board also approved a proposal to increase the initial tenure of the WADA President and Vice President from three years to six years. This was done to accommodate the initial cooling off period and the official selection process for these positions. The possibility of an additional three-year and final term (with a full selection process) for the role of President and Vice President was introduced, and the overall nine-year term limit was aligned with the time limits for other Board members and ExCo. members.
As a result of WADA’s governance reforms, Board membership will be increased from 38 members to 42, reflecting the addition of two elected representatives from WADA’s Athletes’ Council and two elected representatives from WADA’s Athletes’ Council. National Anti-Doping Organization Expert Advisory Groupannounced on 24 March 2023. Four new members will now be officially appointed.
WADA consists of the Board, the Agency’s highest policy-making body, and the 16-member ExCo, to which the Board delegates the management and operation of the Agency, including the conduct of activities and the management of assets. The Board of Directors and ExCo are composed equally of representatives of the Sports Movement, including athletes’ representatives and Governments. In addition, ExCo has five independent members, including the President and Vice-President, and the President of the WADA Athlete Council. Currently, even before the Athlete Council representatives were added, approximately one-third of the Board and ExCo members are former international-level athletes.
In addition, the Board formally approved the year-end accounts for 2022 based on ExCo’s recommendation on May 9 through a circulation vote. Audited accounts will be published as part of WADA’s 2022 Annual Report.
note: Marked version of WADA Charter And Governance ArrangementsShowing the changes made is now available.
Monday, 19 June 2023