On 12 November 2025, the Public Legal Entity “Azerbaijan National Anti-Doping Agency” under the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan held a closed round table on the topic “Prospects for Interagency Cooperation in Combating Prohibited Substances.” The following day, on 13 November 2025, the same institution organized an international conference dedicated to the Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty, titled “Law and Justice in Sport: The New Anti-Doping Framework.”
Representatives of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the State Security Service, the Public Legal Entity “Analytical Expertise Center” under the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and AMADA participated in both events. AEC was represented by the Head of the Pharmacovigilance Department Farid Hasanov, the Head of the Sector for Working with Controlled Medicines Elvar Israfilov, and the Chief Specialist of the Drug Tracking and Monitoring Department (Medicine) Elvin Naghiyev.
The first event, held on 12 November 2025, was opened by the Executive Director of AMADA, Tahmina Taghizade. After a speech by the Head of the Sports Department of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Elnur Mammadov, the participants were informed about the purpose of the round table and its importance within the framework of the “Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty.” During the round table, the role of AMADA as an implementing body within the recently adopted “State Program for Combating Illegal Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors, and Drug Addiction for 2025–2030” was discussed. A presentation was also given on the decisive role of investigations in combating prohibited substances, including Anti-Doping Rule Violations, statistical indicators, and the evolving landscape of anti-doping investigations. Information was provided about the new “International Standard for Investigations” (2027) and WADA’s cooperation with local law enforcement agencies and/or the government to strengthen investigative capacity.
Participants also received presentations on cooperation between the German Anti-Doping Agency (NADA Germany) and law enforcement agencies, an overview of existing practices in Germany, presentations on cooperation between the Polish Anti-Doping Agency (POLADA) and law enforcement, the experience in Poland, and a presentation about the activities, work areas, partners, and achievements of the company “Sportradar.”
At the end of the first day, speeches by representatives of government bodies were heard. Extensive discussions were held on strengthening cooperation, pooling resources, exchanging knowledge and experience, and benefiting from best international practices. Participants’ questions were answered.
The international conference held on 13 November 2025 was also opened by the Executive Director of AMADA, Tahmina Taghizade. During the conference titled “30th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Constitution – Justice and Fair Competition,” presentations were delivered on “AMADA’s Annual Report: Strengthening the Principles of Integrity and Fair Play,” the main highlights of AMADA’s activities in 2025, statistics, and strategic priorities for 2026–2030.
During the first plenary panel, “The Rule of Law in Sport: Forming New Anti-Doping Rules,” discussions focused on updates to the WADA Code, legal compliance, harmonization of procedures, and other important topics. The second plenary panel was also highly engaging, centered around “For Fairer Competition: Human Rights and Justice in Sport,” covering fair hearings, proportionality of sanctions, protection of underage athletes, and other relevant issues.
