His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio attended the International Summit on Sport for Sustainable Development in Paris, France, on Thursday, July 25, 2024. During the event, he extended his gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach for leading the initiative.
The summit gathered over 60 heads of state and government, along with leaders from international organizations such as United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Discussions centered on using sport as a means to accelerate sustainable development for future generations.
Key outcomes included commitments across five focal areas: Education and Employment; Health and Nutrition; Equality and Inclusion; Financing and Impact Measurement; and Sustainability and Legacy.
Notable announcements included a USD$10 billion commitment by public development banks and financial institutions to invest in community-based sports infrastructure by 2030. The Federation of International Football Association pledged to install 1,000 sustainable football pitches in schools to support the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, the IOC announced a 10% budgetary increase dedicated to Olympic Solidarity, amounting to USD$650 million for 2025-2028. The National Basketball Association, in partnership with the French Development Agency and other partners, also committed to constructing 1,000 basketball courts in Africa over the next decade.
President Bio expressed his appreciation for the summit's organizers via social media platform X: "I extend my gratitude to my dear friend and colleague, President Emmanuel Macron, and to the President of the IOC, Thomas Bach, for spearheading this important Summit which has underscored the pivotal role of sport as a catalyst for sustainable development."
For more information: State House Media and Communications Unit
info@statehouse.gov.sl
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