New York: The Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations and the Permanent Mission of the Principality of Monaco to the United Nations organized an event in collaboration with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) to mark the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2025.
According to Qatar News Agency, the event, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, was themed "Leveling the Playing Field: Sport for Social Inclusion." HE UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Li Junhua, addressed the gathering and emphasized sport's role in bridging gaps, reinforcing integration, and enhancing job opportunities, especially in vulnerable communities.
HE Executive Director of UN Women, Sima Bahous, highlighted the role sport plays in empowering women by breaking traditional barriers that hinder women's empowerment. The second part of the event featured athletes who have contributed to promoting sport's role in creating positive change, including Sheikha Asma Al-Thani, Jamal Hill, Justin Morrow, Veronica Shiffi, and Tegla Loroupe.
Sheikha Asma Al-Thani shared her experiences, noting sport as a means of self-expression and overcoming challenges. She stressed the importance of family support for girls in sports and highlighted the growing number of female mountaineers in Qatar and the Arab region as a positive societal shift.
Sheikha Asma Al-Thani also discussed sport's role in addressing global issues, showcasing her career's symbolism by raising the UNHCR's flag as a message of solidarity with marginalized communities. She praised Qatar's efforts in sport diplomacy and the legacy of major tournaments like the Football World Cup.
Participants discussed sport's influence in shaping identities and expanding social and humanitarian opportunities, covering topics like mental health, social justice, and climate awareness. They emphasized international cooperation to harness sport's transformative power to build inclusive societies, advocating for sport to be a core aspect of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha in November 2025.