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The Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of the Principality of Monaco and the Permanent Mission of Qatar hosted an event on Monday, 7 April, to celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. Mr. Li Junhua, the Under-Secretary-General of DESA, delivered opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of sport as a vehicle for inclusion and sustainable development.
The theme for the event was ‘Leveling the Playing Field: Sport for Social Inclusion’, to align with the upcoming Second World Social Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) in November 2025 in Doha, Qatar.
The event hosted a panel of four outstanding athletes from different backgrounds, including Asma Al-Thani, a Qatari mountaineer and UNHCR partner; Jamal Hill, an American swimmer and Paralympic bronze medalist; Justin Morrow, an American soccer player, social justice activist, and Head of Sports Partnerships & Programs at the USC Race & Equity Center; and Veronica Sheffey, an American basketball player at San Diego State University.
The event highlighted topics relating to the athletes’ personal experiences advocating for their passions through sport. The event provided the athletes and the audience with a stage to ‘level the playing field’ — to ensure sport belongs to everyone, everywhere, regardless of race, gender, background, or ability.
To watch the event, please visit: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1c/k1c99zjeyl or https://youtu.be/6JVMHiSkA50
Trello board: https://trello.com/b/ecNcQPSF/2025-un-sport-day
