Secretary-General, in Video Message to Military World Games, Applauds Organizers, Participants for Advancing Peace through Sport

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message for the sixth International Military Sports Council Military World Summer Games, in Mungyeong, Republic of Korea, today:

Your Excellency, Ms. Park Geun-hye, President of the Republic of Korea,

Lieutenant-Colonel Abdulhakeen al Shino, President of the International Military Sports Council,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to greet the sixth International Military Sports Council World Summer Games.

Sport is a universal language that unites people regardless of gender, ethnicity, social, cultural, political or religious differences or physical abilities.  Sport promotes fairness, respect, tolerance and peace in [the Republic of] Korea and around the world.

In bringing the militaries of the world together, these Summer Games can help advance mutual understanding and peace.  I applaud [the International Military Sports Council], the Organizing Committee and all the athletes and participants for their commitment to the advancement of peace through sport.  Thank you.