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World Aquatics solidifies its governance practice, finishing in the A2 position in the Fifth Review of International Federation Governance (2022-2023) released by the ASOIF this week.
World Aquatics welcomes the news that it has been recognised for progress in its overall governance following the publication of the Fifth Review of International Federation (IF) Governance by the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) Governance Task Force.
World Aquatics scored 194 points from a possible 240 across 60 indicators on the survey to consolidate its place in the second-highest bracket, alongside the International Federations for basketball (FIBA), volleyball (FIVB), gymnastics (FIG), and several others in the second-highest group. The IF Governance survey covers transparency, integrity, democracy, development and solidarity, and control mechanisms.
In the ASOIF Third Review of International Federation Governance done for 2019-2020 and before the election of World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam in June 2021, World Aquatics (then FINA) ranked in the bottom quarter of International Federations, in group C.
Following President Al-Musallam’s election, World Aquatics has undertaken a series of major good governance reforms to help shape the future of aquatics sport. This has included appointing a Reform Committee to evaluate and offer guidance in transforming the federation in the areas of governance, communication, marketing, events, digital transformation, safeguarding, medical, gender equity and sport development.
The outcome of this included World Aquatics Member Federations adopting key constitutional amendments during an Extraordinary Congress held in 2022, including the election of the inaugural members to the independent Aquatics Integrity Unit. The Aquatics Integrity Unit became fully into operation on 1 January 2023.The remarkable three-year transformation has seen World Aquatics go from a governance laggard to a leading International Federation.
The 2024 ASOIF Governance Report noted, "International Federations have put in place important governance measures, enabling them to anticipate and respond to emerging and more complex challenges.”
The ASOIF report analysis noted multiple positive areas where World Aquatics had improved since the last biennial report. These included the Aquatics Integrity Unit being fully operational since 1 January 2023, implementing a new Integrity Code, and auditing financial reports in accordance with GAAP FER that provide a true and fair view of financial position, cash flows, and the results of operations.
“We are very pleased to have achieved so much progress so quickly during this period of innovation and comprehensive reform throughout the organisation. It has only been possible with the support of our dedicated World Aquatics team, the guidance of world-leading experts and the support of the whole aquatics family,” said World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam.
“We are determined to build further on this progress and good governance work to ensure that World Aquatics continues to have the best possible structures in place to serve the global aquatics community better,” added President Al-Musallam. “The introduction of an independent Aquatics Integrity Unit brought additional significant changes and ensures that we are at the forefront of governance and integrity matters.”
Recent World Aquatics governance developments also include the publication of detailed financial reports, new rules on protection from harassment and abuse, and event sustainability measures.
The full report is available here: ASOIF Fifth Review of International Federation Governance