Milestone reached as Fiji becomes 150th nation to ratify UN anti-doping treaty

Fiji has ratified the United Nations treaty against the practice of doping in sports, bringing the number of State parties to the first legal instrument that imposes uniform rules, tests and sanctions against the scourge to 150.

The International Convention Against Doping in Sport, which promotes no-advance-notice, out-of-competition and in-competition testing, was adopted unanimously by the General Conference of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in October 2005.

The treaty is designed to ensure a consistent approach to anti-doping efforts and compel governments into action to restrict the supply of performance-enhancing substances and methods, curtail trafficking and regulate dietary and nutritional supplements.

Since entering into force on 1 February 2007, the Convention has become one of UNESCO's most rapidly implemented treaties.

"The ratification of this Convention by so many countries in so short a time shows just how seriously the problem of doping in sport is taken by the world's governments," UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said in a news release.

The Paris-based agency is working with States to implement anti-doping education, policy and prevention programmes in support of the Convention. More than 30 countries, for example, have received financial assistance through UNESCO's Fund for the Elimination of Doping in Sport.

"While the Convention provides the roadmap, the Fund provides the means to achieve its principal objective" to promote the fight against doping so that future generations can enjoy and excel in doping-free sport," said Ms. Bokova.