{"id":278179,"date":"2024-05-22T16:11:05","date_gmt":"2024-05-22T20:11:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/78\/?p=278179"},"modified":"2024-05-22T16:15:30","modified_gmt":"2024-05-22T20:15:30","slug":"pga-remarks-at-the-commemoration-of-world-football-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/78\/2024\/05\/22\/pga-remarks-at-the-commemoration-of-world-football-day\/","title":{"rendered":"PGA Remarks at the commemoration of World Football Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr. Dennis Francis,<\/strong><\/p>\n

at the commemoration of World Football Day <\/strong><\/p>\n

[as delivered]<\/strong><\/p>\n

22 May 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Your Excellency, Jamal Alrowaiei, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain,<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Your Excellency, Taher El-Sonni, Permanent Representative of the State of Libya, <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Your Excellency, Jonibek Hikmat, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Tajikistan,<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Excellencies, Dear Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thank you ever so much for the invitation to join you in celebrating this first World Football Day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The adoption of General Assembly resolution 78\/281 on 7 May 2024 \u2013 precipitated by the astute leadership of the Permanent Representatives of Bahrain, Libya, and Tajikistan, whom I thank most sincerely for their vision and foresight in conceptualizing this dynamic initiative, with overwhelming support from the General Assembly proclaiming 25 May as World Football Day \u2013 was indeed a landmark and salutary achievement.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

More so, because I understand that today marks 100 years, to the day, since the first international football tournament \u2013 held with the participation of all regions of the world for the first time \u2013 making this commemoration a special recognition of the symbolism and unifying magic, unifying magic of football.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Indeed, the \u201cbeautiful game\u201d \u2013 as football is often referred \u2013 transcends borders and regions, languages and religions, gender and politics.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It is, at its very core, a reflection of football\u2019s extraordinary power to bring people of all cultures, backgrounds and outlooks, together.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And that \u201cunifying magnetism\u201d is very much a power that we need to tap into \u2013 to meaningfully usher in peace, progress, prosperity, and sustainability.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Excellencies,<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Some might ask, why are we talking about football when the world is facing such extreme challenges.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When war and conflict is devastating the lives of people in Ukraine, in the Gaza Strip, in Sudan, in Haiti and elsewhere, while at the same time, having a devastatingly divisive impact on the lives of people and communities far away from the battlefield.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

My friends, that is precisely why we need football.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why we must embrace any tool that has the potential to heal wounds, bridge divides and lift people\u2019s spirit even in the face of adversity \u2013 any tool that has proven to nurture respect, solidarity, and teamwork.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Let us therefore use this commemorative event to usher in peace.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And, confronted with shared challenges, let us use the spirit of cooperation and teamwork for which we have a recurring record of demonstrated proven capacity\u00a0 to accelerate progress on all our common goals \u2013 including, most especially, the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After all, sport is directly linked to SDG3 \u2013 on physical and mental health and well-being.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It is also a core element of a comprehensive and full education \u2013 linked closely to SDG 4.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And in empowering women and girls, on and off the field, sport also contributes to SDG 5 \u2013 on gender equality.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Importantly, sport transcends boundaries and promotes tolerance, perseverance, and respect within and between cultures \u2013 an aspect critical to the achievement of SDG 16, to promote just, peaceful, and inclusive societies.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Both fans and athletes can be powerful advocates for these goals.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The \u2018Football for the Goals Initiative\u2019 is an excellent example of this cooperation that should garner support.\u00a0<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As we inaugurate the commemoration of World Football Day today, I call upon all Member States of the United Nations, and indeed, all peoples of our world, joined as we are in a single cause, – the upliftment, in dignity, of all humanity such that no one is left behind \u2013 to channel the spirit of teamwork and cooperation embodied in international sporting events, that showcase the best of our human potential, so well exemplified in football.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Excellencies,<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Dear Colleagues,<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With just a few months before the Paris Olympics and Paralympics \u2013 let us take advantage of today\u2019s commemoration to recommit to the spirit of the Olympic Truce.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I appeal to all parties to any ongoing conflict to respect the Truce for the upcoming games \u2013 and to use such pauses to usher in lasting and sustainable peace.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Everyone, everywhere needs Peace.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And, similarly, to accelerate progress towards the achievement of sustainable development \u2013 as well as to strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights for all people, without exception.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I thank you.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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