02 December (ONOC MEDIA) – The Oceania National Olympic Committee’s (ONOC’s) 40th General Assembly, the regional Olympic body’s first virtual assembly, began in Suva with preliminary workshops today.

All members are participating in three days of workshops before the Assembly on Saturday, 5 December.

Given the current COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic restrictions on travel and social distancing, with some Pacific island member countries COVID-free, all 17 Members and 7 Associate Members are meeting virtually.

Some key agenda items under discussion over the next four days include the tabling of results of a regional survey on regional sports ministries and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) cooperation in the development of sport, the endorsement of a new strategy for the Oceania Sport Education Programme (OSEP) currently running in 15 Pacific island countries and territories, the presentation of the new ONOC website, and a new Olympic Solidarity Plan.

The Assembly will also receive an update on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games which has been postponed to next year.

The meeting is being coordinated in a joint collaboration by the ONOC’s Secretariat and Office of the ONOC President in Fiji and the Office of the Secretary-General in Guam.

While the three days of workshops are closed sessions, the General Assembly on 5 December is open to local media and will also be live streamed via the Youtube link for regional media and observers.