Laman Ismayilova

A delegation from the Azerbaijan National Anti-Doping Agency
(AMADA), including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Tahmina
Taghi-zada, Deputy CEO Dr. Rufat Efendiyev, and Head of Results
Management and Investigations Department Nijat Amiraslanli, has
taken an active role in the high-level European conference
“Bringing European NADOs Together to Strengthen the National
Systems,” held in Bergen, Norway, Azernews
reports.

The conference, co-organized by Anti-Doping Norway and the
Council of Europe, brought together representatives from more than
40 national anti-doping organizations, international experts,
government officials, and senior leadership from the World
Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Among the key speakers were Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary
General of the Council of Europe, WADA President Witold Bańka,
Jamie Brown, Head of the Anti-Doping Unit of the Council of Europe,
Rune Andersen, Director of Anti-Doping Norway, and Erlend
Hanstveit, State Secretary at the Royal Norwegian Ministry of
Culture and Equality. Their presence underscored the political and
institutional importance of the event, which focused on some of the
most pressing challenges and strategic priorities facing the
anti-doping community across the continent.

Throughout the conference, three overarching themes shaped the
discussions. The first explored opportunities and challenges in
collaboration with international and European sports organisations,
including how National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) engage
with international federations, cooperate with the International
Testing Agency, and contribute to doping control in international
sporting events.

The second theme centred on navigating government relations. As
part of this segment, Dr. Taghi-zada moderated the breakout session
titled “Balancing NADO Operational Independence and Accountability
vis-à-vis Government,” where participants exchanged experiences on
how to uphold the independence of anti-doping bodies while
remaining transparent and accountable to government funders. The
session also examined acceptable standards of transparency,
safeguards for institutional independence, and the collective
responsibility of European NADOs to advocate for governance
frameworks that promote both trust and functional autonomy.

Other parallel sessions under the same theme addressed the
development of legal and financial frameworks for NADO operations,
as well as enhanced cooperation with national law enforcement
bodies, customs, and other public authorities.

The final theme of the conference featured a high-level panel
debate on cooperation with WADA, focusing on strengthening
dialogue, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and aligning
national efforts with global anti-doping standards. The event
concluded with the presentation of key outcomes and shared
recommendations from each breakout group.

AMADA reaffirms its commitment to clean sport and commends the
organizers for delivering a high-level, inclusive platform that
advanced strategic dialogue, strengthened governance, and fostered
meaningful cooperation across the European anti-doping
community.