A significant milestone in the history of international rafting was reached on June 5th, 2025, in Istanbul, where IRF President Joseph Willis Jones and WRF President Danilo Barmaz signed a Letter of Intent to SportAccord, to apply for membership in the Alliance of Independent Recognized Members of Sport (AIMS).  AIMS, an IOC-recognised umbrella organisation, plays a critical role in the Olympic movement by providing a platform for its member federations to work toward IOC recognition.  SportAccord, a global sport event organisation, in cooperation with AIMS, manages the membership application process.

The signing marks a significant official step toward the creation of a single international governing body for the sport of rafting, bringing together two major institutions that have represented rafting athletes, guides, and stakeholders across the world.

President Jones and President Barmaz first met last year in Lausanne, Switzerland at SportAccord offices and signed an agreement to begin the unification process.  Since then, dedicated working groups from both federations have collaborated closely to lay the groundwork for this important merger. Their work has focused on designing a shared framework that is inclusive, efficient, and representative of the diverse realities within the global rafting community.

The two Presidents met in Istanbul to jointly validate the principles of these agreement, which will be further refined and submitted for an initial vote within their respective federations. Once approved, the proposed plan will be presented to the broader rafting movement (athletes, national federations, rafting guides, and all stakeholders) for additional input and development.  Both Presidents expressed satisfaction with the result, describing the framework as a balanced and forward-looking foundation for creating a new, unified organization.

Technical teams from both federations will continue working together to refine the structure and processes needed to make this vision a reality. While much work remains, the signing signals a clear and shared commitment: to unify the sport of rafting under one international umbrella, and to build a stronger, more inclusive future for everyone involved in the sport.