Armenian education, science, culture and sport minister meets WADA director general

Armenia’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Zhanna Andreasyan, has met World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Director General Olivier Niggli and Director of the WADA President’s Office Rafal Piechota on the sidelines of the 19th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport, which has opened in the Principality of Monaco.

The minister thanked the agency for its continued cooperation and expressed her appreciation for its support for Armenia.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Andreasyan presented Niggli with details of the international sporting competitions planned in Armenia in 2027. She emphasised the importance of the agency’s support in ensuring that the necessary processes are organised properly and to a high standard, in line with WADA requirements.

The participants discussed opportunities to expand cooperation, particularly by incorporating anti-doping education into school curricula. They stressed the importance of raising awareness of the anti-doping agency’s work, doping prevention and knowledge in this field from school age.

In this context, the minister presented the Healthy Lifestyle education programme introduced in Armenian schools. The discussions also covered the development of the infrastructure needed to carry out anti-doping activities in Armenia.

The agency’s representatives expressed their willingness to support Armenia by providing expert advice and guidance on establishing licensed laboratories that meet international standards and conducting the relevant tests.

Khoren Zargaryan, Director of the Sports Management Centre, and Arpine Gevorgyan, adviser to the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, are also attending the Council of Europe conference of sports ministers.