The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to announce that the Central African Republic has become the 183rd State Party to ratify the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport. The announcement means there are now just 12 countries worldwide that have yet to become signatories.

“I am delighted that the Central African Republic has cemented its commitment to clean sport through its ratification of the UNESCO Convention,” said WADA Director General, Olivier Niggli. “WADA’s priority is now to ensure that practice of the Convention is implemented effectively in all countries. In doing so, this will send a strong message to athletes worldwide.”

The UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport, which was adopted on 19 October 2005, is the practical instrument by which governments formalize their commitment to the fight against doping. Given that many governments cannot be bound by a non-governmental document such as the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), the Convention allows governments to align their domestic policies with the Code, thus harmonizing the rules governing anti-doping in sport and public legislation. Under UNESCO standards, the Convention has set records in terms of the speed with which it was prepared, adopted and ratified. The population of the world that has pledged its support to clean sport through the Convention remains 98%.

• This media release was originally published by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on 30 June 2016. To access the original, please click here.