The annual APEC sports sector event, the “2025 ASPN Roundtable Meeting and International Forum,” was held in Japan from February 6 to 7, 2025. The two-day event featured sports-themed seminars, sports innovation showcases, and observer activities, with participation from 13 economies, 25 speakers, seven sports innovation startups, and nearly 100 local sports professionals. The Sports Administration of the Ministry of Education promoted the first-ever Asian edition of the “2025 Taipei & New Taipei City World Masters Games” and the “2026 Hualien International Children’s Games.” Ambassador-at-large Liu Po-Chun was also invited to share her exemplary efforts in sports diplomacy, particularly in promoting women’s sports equality in collaboration with the U.S. State Department and the American Institute in Taiwan.
- ASPN Roundtable Meeting: A group photo of economy member representatives, with Ms. Siti Harlena Harris Lee, Director of the APEC Secretariat HRDWG, personally traveling to Japan to participate.
Japan placed great importance on the event, with representatives from the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games Organizing Committee and the 2027 Kansai World Masters Games Organizing Committee sharing the latest updates on their preparations. The ASPN delegation also visited the Bureau of Citizens, Culture, and Sports of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the 2025 Deaflympics Organizing Committee to gain insights into the development blueprint of Tokyo’s branded sports events and the progress of the upcoming Deaflympics in November.
- ASPN International Forum, featuring renowned Japanese sports experts and organization representatives.
The 2025 APEC Sports Policy Network (ASPN) project, organized by the Sports Administration and implemented by IAPS, was initiated in 2016 under the APEC Human Resources Development Working Group. Now in its 10th year, the project has gained widespread support and recognition from APEC economies’ sports sector officials, especially from New Southbound countries. Last year, the project was included in the annual declaration of the APEC Human Resources Development Working Group, and the APEC Secretariat continued to participate this year, highlighting its significance. Official representatives from 11 APEC economies participated, including the Australian Sports Commission, the Indonesian Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Japan Sports Agency, the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Thai Sports Authority, the Vietnam Sports Administration, and Taiwan’s Sports Administration.
The “2025 ASPN Roundtable Meeting and International Forum” placed special emphasis on nurturing sports innovation talent and applying sports technology in events, aiming to inject innovative growth momentum into sports events through technology. The forum served as a platform to promote Taiwan’s branded sports events to the world. Seven sports innovation teams from six countries participated, including Taiwan’s NeuinX and Fortune AI, Switzerland’s Talnets AG, the U.S.’s Providential Media Group, and Korea’s Wave Company, seeking international market opportunities through business matchmaking.
- BiiB, the startup from Malaysia gave a speech sharing.
- Talnets, the startup from Switzerland exchanged with guests.
Former Taiwanese Olympics athlete Mr. Tim Lin, now the host of Sports Event Taiwan Workshop Project and an executive committee member of the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee, introduced Taiwan’s unique branded sports events to international participants. She invited global friends to join the “2025 Taipei & New Taipei City World Masters Games,” the first of its kind in Asia, with registration closing on February 17. The Games, held in May, will offer a variety of cultural, sports, and tourism activities, promising an exciting and unforgettable experience. The 2027 Kansai World Masters Games Organizing Committee will also come to Taiwan for the flag handover ceremony and deliver a keynote speech at the “2025 Taiwan Branded International Events Series Forum” on May 14 at the Red House in Taipei. Additionally, the Sports Administration introduced the “2026 Hualien International Children’s Games,” encouraging cities from the Asia-Pacific region to form teams and participate, as the Games are typically held in Europe, making this a rare opportunity.
- Speech by Mr. Tim Lin, the host of Sports Event Taiwan Workshop Project and an executive committee member of the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee.
Despite its short duration, the conference was rich in content, achieving the goals of exchange and promoting Taiwan. Through the ASPN platform, Taiwan aims to continue interacting with various economies, enhancing its event-hosting capabilities, and showcasing Taiwan to the world through sports.
- Group photo during the visit to the Bureau of Citizens, Culture, and Sports of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
- Group photo during the visit to the 2025 Deaflympics Organizing Committee.
- Observation of the Yokohama Curling Championship in Japan.