The first Sustainable Development through Sport Summit brought together 500 leaders, including heads of state, government officials and athletes, to accelerate the role of sport in achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The event was held in on the eve of the Olympic Games in Paris, transmits esgnews.com.
Political commitments
The Paris Agreement on Sport and Sustainable Development has received support from over 60 world leaders, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. This agreement focuses on five priorities:
- education and employment;
- health and nutrition;
- equality and inclusion;
- funding and impact measurement;
- sustainability and legacy.
"Sport, an engine of solidarity and self-improvement, must allow us to move forward to meet common challenges and invest in the next generations," said French President Emmanuel Macron.
Sports initiatives
Key sports organizations have made significant commitments:
IOC: President Thomas Bach announced a 10% increase in the Olympic Solidarity budget, totaling $650 million for the period 2025-2028 to support global athletes and sports development programs.
FIFA: President Gianni Infantino has pledged to build 1000 football pitches in schools around the world, supporting the SDGs by 2030, through the Football for Schools programme.
NBA: Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum has announced plans to build 1000 basketball courts in Africa over the next decade, in collaboration with the French Development Agency (AFD).
“The Olympic Games are more than a sport; they are about health, inclusion, respect and peace. We are committed to making the world a better place through sport," added IOC President Thomas Bach.
Financial injections
Public development banks and institutions within the Sustainable Development through Sport coalition have committed to investing $10 billion in sustainable sports infrastructure globally by 2030.
The French Development Agency (AFD) will invest €500 million in sport for sustainable development by 2030.
"We strive to integrate sport into the fabric of sustainable development," emphasized Rémy Rioux, Director General of the AFD and Chairman of the Common Finance movement.
Future and impact measurement
The World Bank Group and AFD will collaborate on a report exploring the contribution of sport to sustainable development. A coherent evaluation approach will measure the impact of these commitments, supported by the creation of the French Institute for the Study of Sport and Sustainable Development.
"This summit marks the beginning of a dialogue between potential investors and the world of sport, aiming to use sport as a tool for socio-economic development," concluded Riou.