Secretary-General, Marking Inaugural International Day, Urges Global Citizens

 

to Harness Power of Sport in Building Better World for All

 

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, observed today:

This year we celebrate the first-ever International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.

We at the United Nations know that sport is a universal language, uniting groups and nations across divides.  Sport empowers youth, promotes good health and deepens United Nations values such as equality, mutual respect and fair play.

Sport helps us in spreading messages of peace, driving social change and meeting the Millennium Development Goals.  This International Day will highlight the potential of sport to advance human rights, eliminate barriers and promote global solidarity.

To reach our goals, we need all players on the field:  Governments, international organizations, the sport sector, civil society and many others.  I urge all global citizens to join this growing movement and become part of our team to harness the power of sport to build a better world for all.

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For information media • not an official record