At the UN General Assembly, IOC President Thomas Bach engaged with over 30 world leaders to discuss the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games and promote sport’s role in furthering the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The meetings emphasized the importance of sport in fostering peace and building lasting legacies from previous games while forging new partnerships to enhance global cooperation.

During the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach engaged with over thirty leaders, including heads of state and the UN Secretary-General. These discussions largely centered on the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris 2024, which garnered accolades for their promotion of peace and solidarity. Accompanied by IOC Member Luis Alberto Moreno, who serves as the IOC’s Permanent Observer to the UN, President Bach expressed gratitude for the leaders’ endorsement of sport as a vital mechanism for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the context of the newly adopted Pact for the Future. In his address at the Summit for the Future, President Bach underscored the significance of sport in furthering the UN’s goals and reiterated its role during bilateral dialogues. He commended UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the Pact’s adoption and expressed appreciation for the UN’s support regarding the peace-oriented mission of the Olympic Games. In discussions with Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob, who presides over the UN Security Council, President Bach highlighted the contribution of sport to peace initiatives. Notable conversations included Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, on sustaining the legacy of Rio 2016; discussions with South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa on the unifying capacity of sport; and dialogue with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni concerning the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina 2026. The IOC President also explored India’s aspirations to host the Olympic Games in 2036, as well as Chile’s interest in future hosting. Moreover, the discussions extended to Senegal’s preparations for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026 and collaborations with the Foundation for Post-Conflict Development, which recognized President Bach with the Prince Albert II Leadership in Post-Conflict Development Award. He also established a memorandum with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation to promote environmental leadership through sports. Engaging in further dialogues, such as with Chinese officials regarding cooperation and future Olympic successes, highlighted the extensive network of international partnerships the IOC fosters. The President concluded his time in New York by participating in the Concordia Annual Summit, elucidating the IOC’s commitment to peace and sustainable development.

The IOC has been at the forefront of promoting sport as a means of fostering peace and sustainable development globally. As nations face various challenges, including political tensions and humanitarian crises, the role of sport in bridging divides and promoting unity is increasingly emphasized. The accompanying interactions at the UN General Assembly showcased a concerted effort to integrate sports initiatives within broader policy frameworks, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting the IOC’s advocacy for sport’s transformative potential.

In conclusion, the actions and discussions spearheaded by IOC President Thomas Bach during the UN General Assembly illustrate a robust commitment to leveraging the power of sport for global peace and development. Through meaningful engagements with world leaders, the IOC is positioning itself as an essential ally in the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals and the promotion of peaceful coexistence through athletic endeavors, culminating in an optimistic perspective for the forthcoming Olympic Games in Paris and beyond.

Original Source: olympics.com

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