IOC Inks United Nations Partnership

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) have signed a historic partnership with the United Nations (UN) today.

The deal, signed by IOC President Thomas Bach and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki in New York, aims at strengthening collaboration between the two organisations at the highest level.

The agreement underlined that the IOC and the UN “share the same values of contributing to a better and peaceful world through sport.”

The IOC, which was granted UN Observer Status in 2009, has long enjoyed strong ties with individual UN agencies, working with them globally on a number of initiatives that use sport as a tool for development and peace. Today’s agreement means the IOC will now work with the UN Secretariat on a range of projects around the world.

Speaking at the announcement, IOC President Thomas Bach said, “Sport can change the world, but it cannot change the world alone. When placing sport at the service of humankind, we need and we want partnerships with other players in society. The Olympic Movement is willing and ready to make its contribution to the most laudable efforts of the United Nations to maintain and build peace and to bring along social change.”

The two organisations call for sporting initiatives to promote social integration and economic development, including:

a)   Access to sport for all among communities, in particular the most disadvantaged and marginalised populations
b)   Quality physical education in school settings
c)   Youth empowerment, education and skills development
d)   Girls’ and women’s empowerment
e)   Peace-building and community dialogue
f)    Healthy life-styles promotion
g)   Environmental sustainability 

Within this framework, the IOC, together with National Olympic Committees, International Sports Federations, Organising Committees and individual athletes, will work together with UN member states, UN Special Envoys, Special Advisors and Goodwill Ambassadors, UN Specialised Agencies and UN Funds.

“The first-ever Memorandum of Understanding between our organisations is a logical step after years of ever closer collaboration in using sport to promote development and peace,” said Secretary-General Ban. “Sport has great power to bring people together, improve public health and promote teamwork and mutual respect.”

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