About the Conference

The 18th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport will be held in Porto, Portugal, in October 2024. Organised by EPAS in cooperation with the government of Portugal, this conference will gather representatives from 50 countries, members of the Council of Europe, members of EPAS and/or Parties to the European Cultural Convention. The Conference aims to address critical issues in the governance of sport, focusing on enhancing cooperation and transparency among various stakeholders under the theme "Governing and Governance in Sport: Supporting a Fresh Approach to Match its Societal Importance."

The Conference will include sessions dedicated to the 10th Anniversary of the Macolin Convention on the manipulation of sports competitions, and discussions among senior officials and the EPAS Consultative Committee.

Main conference sessions will focus on the European Sports Charter, featuring high-level discussions and panels on themes such as "Collaborative Governing: Time to Adapt the Rules of the Game?" and "Good Governance: Moving the Goal Posts Forward?" These sessions will include contributions from ministers, representatives from the sport movement, and academic experts, followed by in-depth discussions.

Focus sessions will address two highly relevant topics: Gender Equality and Dual Career. Throughout the conference, there will also be a youth initiative aimed at focusing on the young perspective on sport. This conference represents a significant opportunity for ministers and sports leaders to collaborate and develop strategies to ensure the effective governance of sports, promoting values-based policies and practices.

Events related to the Conference will take place along the Atlantic Front, in the cities of Porto, Matosinhos, and Vila Nova de Gaia.