MAURITANIA BECOMES 189th COUNTRY TO RATIFY UNESCO ANTI-DOPING CONVENTION

Montreal, 17 April 2020 – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (Mauritania) has become the 189th State Party to ratify the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport (UNESCO Convention). This leaves just six countries worldwide that have yet to complete their ratification of the UNESCO Convention.

WADA President Witold Bańka said: "WADA is pleased to welcome Mauritania into the Clean Sport Community. In ratifying this convention, it joins 98% of world governments that have already pledged their support to the anti-doping movement.

"We would particularly like to acknowledge the efforts that have been made by the Sports Minister of Mauritania to bring this to fruition. This is a positive step for sports in the country as it looks at further progressing its National Anti-Doping Organization while remaining an important member of Africa’s Zone I Regional Anti-Doping Organization. WADA remains committed to assisting and supporting Mauritania’s efforts to plan, develop and implement the necessary infrastructure for a sustainable and effective anti-doping program."

The Convention, which was adopted on 19 October 2005, is the practical instrument by which governments formalize their commitment to the fight against doping. It allows governments to align their domestic policies with the World Anti-Doping 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.

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