The two-year agreement between the two confederations was signed in Mexico City by AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and OFC President David Chung in the presence of AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John and his OFC counterpart Tai Nicholas.
Chung says the partnership, which pledges co-operation on football development, education and competitions, allows the two Confederations to exchange information, experience, knowledge and best-practice across these matters.
“This is an excellent opportunity to draw on the knowledge and experience across the 47 AFC Member Associations, while we can share the expertise we possess in Oceania,” Chung says.
“This is the beginning of a symbiotic relationship which will benefit all of our Member Associations and I would like to thank my counterpart and the AFC Executive Committee for your commitment to the betterment of football.
“We are incredibly excited to be collaborating with one of our closest neighbouring Confederations and we are looking forward to the advantages the strengthening of our relationship will bring,” he says.
“The exchange of knowledge, experience and resources coupled with the benefits of competitions and tours will be far-reaching across Asia and the Pacific.”
A key objective is to raise the standard of football in both Confederations and Chung says development will be at the forefront of achieving this.
Shaikh Salman says AFC is has always held a strong belief that unity between Confederations is important.
“At AFC we have always believed that all Confederations must work together – both big and small – to reunite the game under the FIFA flag.
“Only then can we restore confidence and trust of the people in football – and particularly those who run football.”
Chung is in full agreement.
“Our vision is to work together with AFC to create solid development plans and strategies which will create the foundation for both OFC and AFC to continue on our respective upwards trajectories in the global arena.”
Download the Memorandum of Understanding here