IOC President Thomas Bach Highlights Sport’s Role at UN Summit
IOC President Thomas Bach participated in the Summit of the Future and the UN General Assembly in New York, emphasizing sport’s role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the newly adopted Pact for the Future. He engaged with various world leaders, discussing peace and collaboration through sport while also receiving recognition for his contributions.
This week, President Thomas Bach of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) attended the Summit of the Future alongside the 79th General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) in New York City. During this prestigious gathering, President Bach expressed his gratitude to world leaders for the inclusion of sport in the newly adopted Pact for the Future, a document ratified by all 193 UN Member States on September 22. He highlighted the vital role that sport plays in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), referencing the Olympic Games Paris 2024 as a prime example of the IOC’s commitment to these objectives. The IOC, maintaining its status as a Permanent Observer at the UN, celebrated this inclusion as a significant achievement in its ongoing cooperation with the UN, which began with the recognition of sport as a critical enabler of sustainable development in 2015. Throughout the Summit, President Bach engaged with various heads of state, including discussions with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the peace mission of the Olympics and the reflection of these values in the upcoming Paris Games. Meetings with leaders such as Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob highlighted the collaboration between sport and peace efforts, further emphasized by Golob’s appreciation of the Olympic Games and the participation of diverse athletes, including the IOC Refugee Olympic Team. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was thanked by President Bach for overseeing the legacy of the Rio 2016 Games, while dialogue with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa focused on the unifying potential of sport. Discussions regarding future Olympic bids were held with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chilean President Gabriel Boric. The IOC President also emphasized upcoming projects stemming from a memorandum of understanding with UN-Habitat, aiming for collaborative efforts in various countries. In recognition of his contributions to post-conflict development, President Bach received the Prince Albert II Leadership in Post-Conflict Development Award. He also announced a memorandum of understanding with the Prince Albert II Foundation to utilize sport for environmental initiatives. The week concluded with President Bach engaging in various conferences and meetings, including the Concordia Annual Summit, where he addressed various global challenges. He also honored Katrina Adams, the recipient of the 2023 Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions Award, and hosted a dinner for IOC members. Following this extensive schedule in New York, President Bach will continue his travels across the United States and Paraguay.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) plays a critical role in promoting sport as a means to advance various global objectives, including peace and sustainable development. Its engagement with the United Nations (UN) ensures that sport is recognized as a key enabler in the global pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This ongoing collaboration underscores the influence of sports diplomacy and the impact of Olympic values extend beyond the athletic arena to address broader societal issues. The recent Summit of the Future held in New York provided an opportunity for dialogue among world leaders fostering efforts aimed at promoting peace and solidarity through sports. The commitment to integrating sports into the agenda of sustainable progress is increasingly recognized at high levels, leading to the establishment of frameworks like the Pact for the Future to guide future initiatives.
In summary, President Thomas Bach’s engagements at the UN Summit of the Future reflect the IOC’s determined efforts to highlight the role of sport as a pivotal component in achieving peace and sustainability on a global scale. By collaborating with international leaders and organizations, the IOC enhances its mission of utilizing the power of sport to foster unity and uplift communities worldwide. The commendation received by President Bach serves to reinforce the IOC’s commitment to these enduring values as it prepares for forthcoming Olympic events and initiatives.
Original Source: olympics.com
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