Doha: The State of Qatar's Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office in Geneva, in cooperation with the UN Office in Geneva, organized the fifth edition of the Diplomatic Community Football Tournament under the theme "Sport for Peace, Human Rights and Development."
According to Qatar News Agency, the tournament was sponsored by Qatar's National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), Qatar National Bank (QNB), and the International Center for Sport Security. The event aimed to promote shared values of cooperation and solidarity and emphasize football's role as a tool for dialogue and partnership.
Eight teams participated in the tournament, representing the regional groups of Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, North and Central America and the Caribbean, South America, the Arab Group, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the UN Office in Geneva. Team Europe emerged victorious, with North and Central America and the Caribbean securing second place, and Asia-Pacific taking third.
HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Office in Geneva, Dr. Hind Abdulrahman Al Muftah, highlighted the tournament's role in linking sport with multilateral cooperation. She noted that it provides a platform for representatives of countries and international organizations to come together through values of commitment, teamwork, and mutual respect. For the first time, a women's friendly match was organized, aligning with Qatar's resolution on empowering women and girls in and through sport.
HE NHRC Secretary-General Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali emphasized the tournament's role in building bridges of understanding between peoples and promoting values of equality, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all. He underscored sport's potential to support peace and development and strengthen mutual respect among different cultures and societies. He also expressed gratitude towards Qatar's Permanent Mission in Geneva and the tournament partners for their dedication to the initiative.
QNB's CEO, Ghadir Abu Hajleh, reiterated QNB's commitment to supporting initiatives that contribute to sustainable community development. She stressed the significance of this year's tournament in focusing on empowering women and girls through sport, which is a key pillar for inclusion, equal opportunities, and participation in advancing development. Abu Hajleh expressed pride in supporting a platform that fosters dialogue, strengthens community ties, and unites people around shared values. Through its support, QNB Group reaffirms its commitment to creating sustainable value for society and contributing to a more connected, inclusive, and equitable world.
The event also featured a special women's sports activity, marking one year since the UN Human Rights Council unanimously adopted Resolution 59/17, "Empowering Women and Girls in and through Sport," submitted by Qatar in partnership with Indonesia and Morocco. At the closing ceremony, HE the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Office in Geneva honored the winning teams and congratulated the players for their exemplary sportsmanship.