The 2025 FIM Secretaries General Meeting was hosted earlier this week at the historic Merton College, Oxford – Great Britain by the Auto-Cycle Union (ACU). The two-day event, held on 15–16 September, brought together representatives from motorcycle federations from around the world to share ideas, strengthen international relationships and plan for the future of the sport.

This important meeting gave leaders the chance to openly discuss key issues facing motorcycling today, the topics covered included:

• Making international competition easier and safer for riders by aligning licence systems and regulations.
• Tackling unsanctioned events to keep the sport safe and well-managed.
• Engaging governments and policymakers to protect and promote motorcycle sport.
• Encouraging more volunteers, who are essential to running events and supporting local clubs.
• Growing participation by attracting leisure riders and involving famous riders as ambassadors for the sport.
The two-day meeting also highlighted the importance of protecting the environment, with discussions on reducing noise complaints and preventing illegal riding in protected areas. A key session focused on the future of motorcycling, using new research to explore how the sport can evolve and thrive in the years ahead.

This year’s meeting demonstrated the truly international nature of motorcycle sport, with participants from over twenty national federations representing the six Continental Unions. The countries present were Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Qatar, San Marino, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the USA.

In addition, representatives from the FIM, SMC (Sveriges MotorCyclister), and Lockton Insurance were also present to provide expertise and insight on international collaboration, public affairs, and rider safety. This diverse group of attendees highlighted the shared commitment to developing the sport globally, showing how vital it is for federations to work hand-in-hand for the future of motorcycling.

Confirming the success of the 2025 FIM Secretaries General meeting, FIM CEO Françoise Emery said: “It has been a great pleasure to join forces with the ACU and host this year’s Secretaries General meeting at Merton College in Oxford. Bringing together around forty representatives from over twenty different countries and all our CONUs underlines the strength of our global motorcycling family. The fruitful discussions we shared here will not only strengthen collaboration between national federations and the FIM Administration but will also inspire new initiatives to support the growth and future of motorcycling worldwide. We are extremely grateful to the ACU for their warm hospitality and their increased activity in motorcycling matters within the UK who have proudly staged ten FIM World Championships this year across different sporting disciplines.”

Adding his own comments ACU CEO Matthew Edwards-Wear remarked: “Hosting this event at Merton College, Oxford, was a great honour for the ACU. Collaborating closely with other federations allows us to share knowledge and build a stronger future for motorcycling. It’s all about creating a sport that is safe, sustainable, and exciting for future generations. We were proud to welcome colleagues from around the world, including staff from the FIM administration. Personally, it was a privilege to co-host the meeting with FIM Liaison Director Nita Korhonen, who has supported me since my appointment as Secretary General of the ACU in 2023. That role has since evolved into CEO – a title commonly used by many federations – which better reflects the breadth of responsibility we hold within the national federation.”

“The ACU continues to benefit from mentoring, coaching, and support across all areas of our work. This empowers us, as the national governing body for motorcycle sport in the UK, to develop, promote, and organise the sport at every level – from youth and grassroots riders to regional and British championships – while also providing a clear pathway for talent to progress to European and World Championship events.”

As part of the FIM Future Leaders Programme, the FIM hosted an exclusive United Against Online Abuse (UAOA) Campaign Webinar on 25 February, 2025. The event featured Erin Bourke, Project Leader of the FIA’s United Against Online Abuse Campaign, as the keynote speaker.

During the webinar, Erin Bourke delivered an insightful presentation on the UAOA campaign, a global coalition initiated by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Supported by the FIA Foundation and the European Union, UAOA unites sporting organisations, governments, technology platforms, and regulatory bodies in the fight against the growing issue of online abuse in sports.

United Against Online Abuse Campaign Webinar HERE

In July 2023, the FIM signed a Charter for collaboration with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) as part of this global coalition to counter online abuse in sports. This partnership demonstrates the shared commitment of both organisations to create a safer online environment through collaboration, policy development, and regulatory action.

The webinar focused on several key issues:

• The impact of online abuse on athletes, officials, and the broader sporting community.
• Strategies for combating digital harassment through advocacy, education, and innovation.
• Key findings from Erin Bourke’s research on the impact of hate speech on FIA officials, with data to be shared soon with the community.

The UAOA campaign aims to create a safer digital environment through collective initiatives. National Federations are strongly encouraged to actively engage in these important discussions and contribute to the global effort to address online abuse, ensuring digital safety within their respective organisations.

More information and updates on the UAOA campaign HERE

Published by: – Isabelle Lariviere – FIM Communications Manager

The newly inaugurated FIM Headquarters (HQ) in Mies (Switzerland), the Domaine de Divonne in Divonne-les-Bains (France) and the YOTEL Geneva Lake in Founex (Switzerland) were the venues for the 2025 FIM Commissions Conference which was held from 7 to 9 February. The Conference brought together 370 members of the FIM Family – including Board of Directors Members, Commissions Directors, Members and Experts along with two FIM World Championship promoters – for three days of high-level discussion with the goal of sharing ideas and expertise to advance motorcycle sport.

The meetings started on 7 February with Superlicence Seminars whose purpose is to enhance and reinforce the level of expertise and knowledge of the participants. A workshop was organised, with the participation of 15 FMN/CONU Secretaries General on “making inclusion relevant for National Federations”. The first ever annual general meeting of the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA) as FIM Associated Member also took place on 7 February, with the attendance of FIM President Mr Jorge VIEGAS and other FIM representatives.

On 8 February, the Commissions Members Plenary Session started with the presentation by the FIM President of the initiatives and major achievements related to the celebration of the 120th anniversary of the FIM in 2024 – also illustrated with several short videos, notably on the construction of the FIM HQ building and the new FIM Hospitality, the updated brand identity, the first-ever FIM Intercontinental Games held in Jerez de la Frontera (Spain) and the creation of a dedicated and unique FIM anthem, which was played. A round of the X-Trial World Championship had been organised in Geneva (Switzerland) and had been attended by the FIM Board of Directors. A commemorative event had been organised in the Restaurant Pavillon Ledoyen in Paris (France) where the Fédération Internationale des Clubs Motocyclistes (FICM) had been created in 1904, in the presence of representatives of the founding Members. A book retracing 120 years of motorcycling history and another one outlining the major steps and timeline for the construction of the new FIM HQ had been published and were handed to all participants. A mosaic regrouping the entire FIM Family was displayed as a token of recognition for their unvaluable contribution. The latest analysis as regards the Balance of Performance (BoP) and Equivalence of Technologies (EOT), the main amendments to the Disciplinary Code, the revised Code of Ethics as well as the new Travel Platform were presented. The FIM President then invited the FIM Supercross World Championship promoter, Mr Tom BURWELL, SX Global CEO and the FIM Enduro World Championship promoter, Mr Francisco PITA and Ms Carla ALVARENGA, respectively CEO and Managing Director of Prime Stadium, to join the stage for the presentation of the 2025 sporting calendars and plans for the years to come.

The plenary session ended with a section dedicated to FIM Distinctions and Recognitions.

The following Honorary Membership, approved during the 2024 FIM General Assembly, was awarded to Mr Tony STEELE (ACU) – CCP Honorary Member (posthumously), and handed to the ACU President, Mr Tim LIGHTFOOT, and ACU Secretary General, Mr Matthew EDWARDS-WEAR.

In addition, diplomas were awarded to the Directors and Members of the following Commissions/List, in recognition of their outstanding years of service:

30 YEARS OF SERVICE:
Mr Roland BERGER (AMF) – CTI
Mr Patrick COUTANT (FFM) – CCR

25 YEARS OF SERVICE:
Mr Jacques BOLLE (FFM) – LJI

20 YEARS OF SERVICE:
Mr Pedro MARIANO (FMP) – CEN
Mr Mohamed Nejib OURIEMI (FTM) – CPM

15 YEARS OF SERVICE:
Mr Tony OLSSON (SVEMO) – CCP

A plaque was given to FIM Latin America President, Mr Pedro VENTURO Jr. for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the CONU. Commission Members from Latin America were also invited to join the stage.

Over the weekend all fourteen sport and beyond-sport Commissions as well as the List of International Judges conducted their own meetings to work on projects and priorities for 2025. The efforts and hard work of all participants and stakeholders over these three days were recognised and rewarded as the entire FIM Family got together for a cocktail reception held at the FIM HQ on Saturday evening.

Expressing his satisfaction, FIM President Jorge VIEGAS said: “I am pleased with the success of this 2025 Commissions Conference which gathered more than 350 FIM Family Members from all around the world. This event is a key opportunity to meet and prepare the upcoming season. I would like to extend my gratitude to our Commissions Directors and Members who, thanks to their expertise and commitment, strongly contribute to the high quality of the FIM events and programmes. This is also about thanking and rewarding the non-paid professionals for their dedication and service to the FIM. The presence of two FIM World Championships promoters was also greatly appreciated. We can be proud of the tremendous achievements throughout 2024 and I am looking forward to another successful season of top-level FIM sporting events and programmes.

Published by: Isabelle Lariviere – FIM Communications Manager