WADA signs host contracts with Peru and Ecuador for Global Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network workshops

Last week, the Director of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) Department, Günter Younger, and representatives from WADA’s Latin America and Caribbean office, were in Lima, Peru, and Quito, Ecuador, to meet with their partners from the Peruvian Institute of Sport (IPD) and the National Anti-Doping Unit of Ecuador (UNADE) to officialize their collaboration under the Global Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network (GAIIN) initiative. 

The IPD will host its GAIIN workshop in November 2026, while UNADE will welcome participants in March 2027. During the visits, host contracts were signed with both institutions, marking a significant milestone in expanding the reach and impact of the GAIIN project throughout Latin America. 

Mr. Younger said: “It was a pleasure to meet with our partners in Peru and Ecuador to formalize our relationship as it pertains to the Global Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network. These agreements represent another clear example of the emphasis WADA is putting on developing a vast and robust intelligence network around the world. We look forward to returning to Ecuador and Peru over the course of the next two years for these important sessions.” 

Similar to past GAIIN meetings, the workshops will be tailored to the needs of the region and focus on intelligence functions and investigative techniques, confidential source management, open-source research, and analytical and interviewing methods.  

Productive meetings were also held with the IPD President, Federico Tong Hurtado, and the Ecuadorian Vice-Minister of Sport, José David Jiménez, during which both Governments reaffirmed their full support for the initiative and their commitment to advancing anti-doping cooperation in the region. 

While in Lima, the Director of WADA’s Latin America and Caribbean Office, Francisco León, also signed a letter of intent between WADA and the IPD regarding the Regional Symposium that will take place in the city on 1-2 July 2026. The Symposium will focus on preparing for implementation of the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards, which will be approved during WADA’s World Conference on Doping in Sport in Busan, Republic of Korea, in December; and enter into force on 1 January 2027.  The Symposium will prioritize updates to the Code and Standards, compliance readiness, and stakeholder engagement. 

More about GAIIN 

Led by WADA I&I, the GAIIN project is a global initiative designed to enhance cooperation, intelligence-sharing, and investigative capabilities among anti-doping organizations and law enforcement authorities worldwide. It builds off the success of the I&I Capability and Capacity Building Project in Europe and Asia/Oceania. 

Since its inception, GAIIN has supported more than 140 operations and contributed to the seizure of more than 40 tons Performance and Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) and dismantling of 35 illicit laboratories, clearly demonstrating the power of collaboration when law enforcement agencies and National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) work together. 

The recent engagements in Peru and Ecuador underscore the growing commitment of Latin American partners to promoting clean sport, transparency, and integrity across the region.