Qatar, Principality of Monaco underscore power of sports in fostering peace and understanding
قطر وإمارة موناكو تنوّهان بقوة الرياضة في تعزيز السلام والحوار
QNA
New York: The State of Qatar and the Principality of Monaco underlined that the celebration of the United Nations on April 6 of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on August 23, 2013 in its resolution (67/296), underscores the power of sport to drive social change, community and human development, and to foster peace and understanding both in developed and developing countries.
This came in an article written by Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador H E Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, and Permanent Representative of the Principality of Monaco Isabelle Picco, and published on the website of the United Nations Chronicle magazine.
The State of Qatar and the Principality of Monaco said that sport has been on the United Nations agenda since 1993, when the General Assembly adopted its first resolutions entitled “International Year of Sport and the Olympic Ideal” (resolution 48/10) and “Observance of the Olympic Truce” (resolution 48/11).
They noted that every two years, the Assembly adopts a resolution on “Sport as an enabler of sustainable development” and every other two years, a resolution on “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal”, ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
They said that the contribution of sport was further recognized in the Declaration on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the General Assembly in resolution 70/1 of 25 September 2015, which emphasizes that “sport is an important enabler of sustainable development”. The Declaration also recognizes “the growing contribution of sport to the realization of development and peace in its promotion of tolerance and respect and the contributions it makes to the empowerment of women and of young people, individuals and communities as well as to health, education, and social inclusion objectives”.
Unfortunately, the article pointed out, this years celebration comes in the devastating wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with severe pressure placed on public health systems, emergency services and the global economy. The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has stated that “our world is facing an unprecedented threat, and the United Nations is facing one of the biggest challenges in our history.”
The permanent representatives of the State of Qatar and the Principality of Monaco believed that the global sports landscape has also been altered significantly, from playing games behind closed doors to canceling events, with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics postponed until 2021. The pandemic has shaken the sports world, with social distancing being the best way so far to protect oneself and others.
“Now more than ever, we need to celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace and the power of sport to change the world, as Nelson Mandela reminded us. If sport teaches us anything it is that teamwork is essential and that together we are stronger. In the same way, we shall overcome COVID-19 if we and the rest of the world work together. Likewise, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a pathway towards a sustainable future for all, leaving no one behind, with peaceful and inclusive societies, and a healthy planet. We can only get there by working together,” they stressed.
They underlined that sport plays an important advocacy role in combating the spread of diseases and highlighting the importance of international solidarity. “In times of crisis, fear and anxiety can consume us. Alone, it seems, we can do very little, but working together, we can do so much. Even though sporting events have come to a halt for now, athletes, major and small sports leagues and community sports organizations are delivering messages of positivity connecting us with each other. Sport is bringing people and communities together, helping us find common ground, regardless of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation,” they said.
Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar H E Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, and HE Permanent Representative of the Principality of Monaco Isabelle Picco added in the article that in the context of the global pandemic, it is important to note that the World Health Organization advocates 30 minutes of daily physical activity in order to stay healthy, boost ones immune system and combat stress and depression.
“Moreover, we should not forget that sport is a versatile instrument to prevent conflict and build peace, as it builds relationships across social, economic and cultural divides and creates a sense of shared identity and fellowship among groups that might otherwise be inclined to view each other with distrust and hostility. The universal language of sport helps fight radicalisation and prevent violent extremism that is conducive to terrorism. It is also a very powerful tool for dialogue and reconciliation,” they added.
“With so much progress in the last few years, we must keep on. By raising awareness of the role of sport in health, sustainable development and peace, the International Day can help increase much needed global solidarity. Sport is uniquely equipped to unite. It has unlimited potential to positively heal the world we live in now, and the world we are building for the future. More than ever, the power of sport can contribute to the global efforts to make the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) a reality,” they stressed.
The article underline that the State of Qatar, host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, is committed to delivering a sustainable World Cup tournament and showcasing innovative solutions. Efforts are in place to address climate change, workers welfare and rights, and business practices.
They noted that Qatar has often stressed its intention that the World Cup benefit the entire MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region and specifically support youth with access to education, research, social, cultural, technological and economic opportunities.
“A number of initiatives have been launched for the purpose of unlocking this potential. For instance, Generation Amazing leverages the power of football to instigate social change, break down barriers, increase access to sport and enhance community integration in line with the SDGs. From Brazils Atlantic coast to the highlands of Nepal, Generation Amazing, in collaboration with United Nations partners and civil society, is building sporting facilities and running programmes that focus on developing leadership skills and civil engagement, and nurturing life skills for thousands of girls and boys in underprivileged communities,” they added.
“We also view the World Cup as a supporting platform for the talented and growing entrepreneurial and innovation community of the region. Financial and technical mentoring from worldwide experts is provided to young entrepreneurs to develop creative and cost-effective ideas, including innovations that will lead to more sustainable outcomes in the design, construction and operational stages of the World Cups infrastructure delivery. Most importantly the organizers are energizing sectors that will contribute to more diversified, forward-looking economies across the region. Pioneering disciplines such as behavioural psychology are being introduced, using research to improve processes and policy outcomes,” they said.
The article noted that Monaco is proud to have the only Olympian Head of State. Sport is at the core of Monacos identity and way of life, which is reflected in its hosting of major yearly sporting events, including the Monte-Carlo Masters, the Formula 1 Grand Prix, and the Track and Field Herculis IAAF Meeting by the hundreds of sports associations that ensure access to physical activity for all.
Physical education and swimming lessons are an integral part of the curricula from primary to high school.
It noted that sport is increasingly integrated into partnerships and projects developed by the specialized funds, agencies and programmes of the United Nations, as well as other stakeholders, including private-sector companies.
The permanent representatives said that athletes around the world are a constant source of inspiration through their hard work, relentless efforts and collective engagement. “Those values are essential for our collective action to overcome the global pandemic and its economic consequences worldwide. Sport has the power to enrich our lives and promote peaceful relations between nations as we embark upon our recovery efforts and work towards strengthening our global community,” they underlined.
قنا
نوهت دولة قطر وإمارة موناكو بأن احتفال الأمم المتحدة في 6 أبريل باليوم العالمي للرياضة من أجل التنمية والسلام، الذي أقرته الجمعية العامة للأمم المتحدة يوم 23 أغسطس 2013 بقرارها (67\296)، يؤكد قوة الرياضة في قيادة التغيير الاجتماعي والتنمية المجتمعية والبشرية، وتعزيز السلام والحوار على حد سواء في البلدان المتقدمة والنامية. جاء ذلك في مقال كتبته سعادة السفيرة الشيخة علياء أحمد بن سيف آل ثاني المندوب الدائم لدولة قطر لدى الأمم المتحدة، وسعادة السيدة إيزابيل بيكو المندوبة الدائمة لإمارة موناكو، نشر في الموقع الإلكتروني لمجلة وقائع الأمم المتحدة. وأوضحت دولة قطر وإمارة موناكو أن الرياضة أدرجت في جدول أعمال الأمم المتحدة منذ عام 1993، عندما اعتمدت الجمعية العامة قراراتها الأولى «السنة الدولية للرياضة والمثل الأعلى الأولمبي (القرار 48/10)» و«مراعاة الهدنة الأولمبية (القرار 48/11)».
وأشارتا إلى أن الجمعية العامة تعتمد كل عامين قراراً حول «الرياضة كعامل تمكين للتنمية المستدامة»، وتعتمد أيضاً كل عامين آخرين قرار «بناء عالم سلمي أفضل من خلال الرياضة والمثل الأعلى للألعاب الأولمبية»، وذلك قبل الألعاب الأولمبية وأولمبياد ذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة.
ولفتتا إلى انه تم الاعتراف بمساهمة الرياضة في الإعلان المتعلق بخطة التنمية المستدامة لعام 2030، الذي اعتمدته الجمعية العامة في القرار 70/1 المؤرخ 25 سبتمبر 2015، والذي يشدد على أن «الرياضة هي عامل تمكين مهم للتنمية المستدامة». كما يقرُّ الإعلان بالمساهمة المتزايدة للرياضة في تحقيق التنمية والسلام وتعزيز التسامح والاحترام، وبالمساهمات التي تقدمها في تمكين المرأة والشباب والأفراد والمجتمعات، وكذلك في الصحة والتعليم وأهداف الإدماج الاجتماعي.
وبيّن مقال سعادة الشيخة علياء وسعادة السيدة ايزابيل أن احتفال هذا العام «يأتي في ظل الآثار المدمرة لجائحة وباء فيروس كورونا، ومع الضغوط الشديدة على أنظمة الصحة العامة وخدمات الطوارئ والاقتصاد العالمي»، وأعاد التذكير بتصريح السيد أنطونيو غوتيريش الأمين العام للأمم المتحدة، الذي قال فيه إن «عالمنا يواجه تهديداً غير مسبوق، وتواجه الأمم المتحدة واحداً من أكبر التحديات في تاريخنا».
ورأت المندوبتان الدائمتان لدولة قطر وإمارة موناكو أن المشهد الرياضي العالمي شهد تغييراً كبيراً، من ممارسة الألعاب الرياضية خلف الأبواب المغلقة إلى إلغاء الأحداث الكبرى، حيث تمّ تأجيل دورة الألعاب الأولمبية في طوكيو 2020 حتى عام 2021. وأضافتا أن «الوباء هز عالم الرياضة»، مع كون الابتعاد الاجتماعي هو أفضل وسيلة حتى الآن لحماية النفس والآخرين.
