New york: The Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of the Principality of Monaco, organized an interactive dialogue for the Group of Friends of Sport for Development and Peace. This event, held at the UN Headquarters, saw both missions co-chairing the group. It featured HE President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Kirsty Coventry, marking her inaugural engagement with the Group of Friends since her appointment in June, and HE President of the Organizing Committee for Milano-Cortina 2026 Giovanni Malago.
According to Qatar News Agency, HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, opened the event by congratulating HE Coventry on her new role as IOC President. She emphasized the Group of Friends' eagerness to enhance collaboration with the IOC to promote the global agenda of sport for development and peace. Her Excellency also welcomed HE Malago and expressed gratitude for his involvement in the dialogue.
Her Excellency highlighted the significance of the meeting, which follows Qatar's hosting of the Second World Summit for Social Development. During this summit, leaders adopted the Doha Political Declaration, reaffirming sport's transformative role in promoting inclusion, social cohesion, and sustainable development. The Permanent Representative also acknowledged the Qatar Olympic Committee's contributions to advancing Qatar National Vision 2030, which prioritizes human development and investment in sport.
On the same day, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution titled "Building a Peaceful and Better World through Sport and the Olympic Ideal." Her Excellency emphasized that this resolution symbolizes unity and highlights sport's role in fostering dialogue and shared values, even amid global tensions. The resolution underscores sport's essential role in education, inclusion, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
HE President of the International Olympic Committee expressed the IOC's commitment to promoting Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship through UN-driven sport initiatives. She highlighted the IOC's collaboration with the United Nations and Member States to expand programs targeting youth and marginalized groups, underlining the importance of safe environments for sports participation.
Her Excellency commended Qatar and Monaco for their leadership in leveraging sport to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, noting Qatar's emphasis on hosting major sporting events. She affirmed Qatar's status as a model in organizing global sports events.
HE Malago discussed preparations for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, focusing on integrating social and environmental considerations at all planning stages. He highlighted the Olympics as a platform to showcase sport's role in strengthening solidarity among youth and nations.
The meeting attracted wide participation from UN officials and Member State representatives, who discussed sport's role in achieving development and peace. They stressed the importance of multilateral cooperation to expand sport's role in promoting social inclusion and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.