Qatar has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with all partners to continue enhancing the role of sports, particularly in light of its collective expression of human values and as a crucial tool for establishing common bonds and promoting respect and understanding among different civilizations, peoples, and cultures.
The statement was made by Sharifa Yousuf al-Nasr, who is the first-secretary at the Permanent Mission of Qatar to the United Nations, during the General Assembly session on Agenda Item 11 on sports for development and peace. The session was held in New York.
Al-Nasr welcomed the dedication of the UN General Assembly to discuss sports for development and peace, expressing sincere gratitude to the French Republic for its appreciated efforts in facilitating the resolution on building a better and more peaceful world through sport and the Olympic ideal, which the General Assembly adopted with 118 votes in favour during the session.
Qatar's interest in participating in sponsoring the resolution was emphasized, especially considering its various significant aspects. This reflects Qatar's belief in the crucial role sports play in achieving sustainable development, particularly its growing contribution to achieving development and peace by promoting tolerance and respect. Al-Nasr highlighted Qatar's pride in its participation, alongside Monaco, in chairing the Group of Friends of Sport for Sustainable Development and looks forward to the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games in 2024 in Paris.
Al-Nasr mentioned that the Sustainable Development Plan for 2030 has duly recognised the role of sports in promoting tolerance, respect, and its contribution to empowering women, youth, individuals, and communities. This acknowledges the valuable contributions of sports in achieving development and peace.
Qatar places particular emphasis on investing in sports and related activities based on its deep-rooted belief that this constitutes an investment in societies and nations. This is due to sports' ability to promote co-operation and understanding among all peoples. Al-Nasr noted that in line with this approach, Qatar has made diligent efforts over the years to develop and build world-class sports facilities and training infrastructure according to international standards. She highlighted Qatar's initiative in adopting a National Sports Day celebrated annually on the second Tuesday of February.
She said that Doha has successfully hosted major international sporting events, the latest being the exceptional edition of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, noting that the sporting event was a prominent occasion for disseminating a message of welcome to millions of people worldwide and was a unique opportunity to promote the values of peace, development, and understanding among all peoples.
She noted that the Scoring for Sustainable Development Goals campaign was launched, calling for unity and convergence to achieve sustainable development goals on the sidelines of the FIFA World Cup. She said that Qatar takes pride in hosting the first-ever World Cup in the Middle East and the Arab region, which was the most environmentally friendly World Cup in history. It was a legacy of peace and development and a significant opportunity for the country to showcase its Arab identity and national culture.
Al-Nasr highlighted that Qatar presented a resolution titled the FIFA World Cup 2022 organized by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) in Qatar last year. This resolution affirmed the important role of sports in promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It acknowledged the valuable contribution of sports in enhancing education, peace, gender equality, social inclusion, and health at the local, regional, and international levels.
