The 2023 FIM General Assembly was held on 1 December 2023 in Liverpool (Great Britain) in the presence of 70 National Federations (FMNs), in the framework of a full week of meetings including the FIM Board of Directors meeting, the Continental Unions (CONUs) meeting, the International Foundation for Motorcycling (IFM) Board meeting as well as the 2023 FIM Awards, the prize-giving ceremony to celebrate the 2023 FIM World Champions and Trophies winners.
The following topics were submitted to the delegates of the National Federations present during the 2023 General Assembly:
FIM President Report: An overview of the main 2023 sporting and beyond sport activities was presented. The contract with SportUP, the new FIM SuperEnduro World Championship Promoter retained for 2025 to 2034, was signed on that occasion. The President underlined the sound financial situation of the FIM and reminded the assistance provided to FMNs and CONUs. The FIM/FIA Joint Committee was created, with the aim to reinforce collaboration between both organisations on issues of common interest. The FIM and FIA Presidents signed a charter against online abuse and hate speech. The initiatives to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the FIM in 2024 were announced, which included the launch of the Intercontinental Games; the new FIM logo and brand identity; the editing of a book retracing the Federation’s highlights from 1904 to 2024; the inauguration of the new FIM headquarters; a new hospitality unit; the creation of the Motorcycle Sport Museum and new FIM branded uniforms. The FIM Family was invited to participate in the celebration of this anniversary through several actions.
Finance: The General Assembly approved the 2022 financial statements and the 2024 budget.
Situation in Ukraine: The FIM maintained its position and recommendations to FMNs and CONUs as regards the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The FIM continues to carefully assess the situation, considering the specificity of motorcycling sport, and stands in sympathy and solidarity with all those suffering.
Affiliations: The affiliations of Albania (ALMF), Armenia (NMFA) and Nigeria (ATCN), as well as the expulsion of Algeria (FASM) were approved, bringing up to 121 the total number of National Federations.
List of International Judges (LJI): The appointment of Ms Vered DESHE as member of the LJI was confirmed.
Amendments to Codes and Regulations: The General Assembly agreed on the amendments to the Statutes and By-Laws as well as to the Sporting Code, including the new calendar and licence fees proposals.
2024 FIM General Assembly and FIM Awards: The candidature of Palma de Mallorca (Spain) was retained to host the 2024 FIM General Assembly and FIM Awards on 6 & 7 December.
2024 Commissions Conference: The Conference will take place in Lyon (France) with notably the plenary session on 17 February and the Commissions meetings on 18 February.
International Foundation for Motorcycling (IFM): A progress report on the 2023 activities was outlined. The 2022 audited financial statements and management report had been approved by the Foundation Board as well as the Swiss supervisory authority for the foundations.
In addition, the CONU Presidents, the Board Committees, the Working Groups, the Commission Directors and the departments of the Administration presented their respective progress reports.
Distinctions: The FIM paid a special tribute to the FIM Speedway World Champion 1955 and 1962 Peter CRAVEN from Liverpool who died while racing at the age of 29 years. Three honorary memberships were approved by the General Assembly:
• Mr Jørgen BITSCH (DMU), Honorary FIM Board Member - posthumously
• Mr Jesus PLAZA FREYER (RFME), Honorary CTR Member - posthumously
• Mr John PINEO (CMA), Honorary CTL Member
The 2023 FIM Touring World Challenge was awarded to the Moto Clube do Porto (FMP) in the club category and to Mr José FONSECA (POR) in the rider category. The FIM Family Trophy was granted to the Norwegian Motorsport Federation (NMF) for its project ‘Testing and developing performance through mental parameters in elite motorsports.’
FMNs anniversaries: Twelve FMNs were congratulated, namely 10 years for Botswana (BMS) and Georgia (GNMF); 20 years for Greece (AMOTOE), Mauritania (FMSM) and Türkiye (TMF); 30 years for Honduras (FEHMOTO) and Slovakia (SMF); 50 years for the Dominican Republic (FDM) and India (FMSCI); 100 years for Spain (RFME); 110 years for France (FFM) and 120 years for Great Britain (ACU).
Following the 2023 General Assembly, FIM President, Jorge VIEGAS said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the representatives from our many national federations and other members of the FIM family for joining us here in Liverpool for the FIM General Assembly, which has proved to be another successful occasion. Already we can look forward to meeting again in 2024 and to all celebrating together the 120th anniversary of the FIM. But before then, we have the more immediate opportunity to celebrate together tonight the 2023 FIM World Champions and the FIM Trophy winners at the FIM Awards which is being hosted for the first time in Great Britain. I wish everyone involved a great evening.”