A year on from the first FIA Sport Regional Congress in Nepal, over 70 delegates representing 18 countries from the Asia-Pacific region met at this year’s Congress, held immediately after the recent Formula 1 Grand Prix in Shanghai, China (17 April).

Following the terrible events of last years Nepal earthquake which happened during the inaugural congress, it was an opportunity for the region’s motor sport community to come together and commemorate the disaster.

Excellently  organised by the Federation of Automobile Sports of China, which also organising the F1 event at the same time, the Congress was a brilliant chance for the Asia-Pacific ASNs to come together to discuss and prioritise development in the region.

The FIA Sport Regional Congresses focus on practical sessions to aid ASNs in their developmental process, and as such a number of activities and workshops took place in Shanghai. It was also an opportunity for FIA President Jean Todt to meet and work with local government  on the implementation of key road safety messages and initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region.

Activities at the Congress included sessions on ASN governance and management, safety and wider motor sport development, all organised by the FIA’s ASN Development Task Force and implemented by experienced FIA staff.

The Shanghai Congress also saw the launch of a brand new development initiative – Action for Asia-Pacific. Through this initiative, the FIA wishes to bring to life a new grassroots activity across all countries in the region – Karting Slalom. Each delegate was invited to take part in a demonstration of the discipline, and it is hoped that this initiative will help to increase the overall number of licence holders over the next five years.

Sri Lanka has been designated as the pilot ASN for the programme, and there will be three pilot projects organised in 2016 with the help of an FIA toolbox including both karts, helmets, race suits, and organisational materials including safety guidelines and sporting rules. The same grassroots pilot project will be launched in the African and American regions this year.