United Nations Secretary-General thanks Qatar for hosting the 9th World Conference on Sport and the Environment

DOHA, QATAR, 5 May 2011: The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, has sent a special message of thanks to Qatar for hosting the 9th World Conference on Sport and the Environment and highlighting how sport can help address the environmental issues in the world today. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also went on to also commend Qatar for its continued commitment to the United Nations.

The conference, held in Doha, Qatar, from 30 April to 2 May 2011, was a gathering of over 650 delegates representing National Olympic Committees, International Federations, the International Olympic Committee, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), as well as a host of additional national and international sports and education organisations. The conference, themed ‘Playing for a Greener Future’, concluded with the international sports community re-affirming its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility – the Doha Declaration.

Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations said: "I thank the Government of Qatar for hosting this conference. Having travelled to Doha earlier this month, I saw firsthand the Government’s commitment to the United Nations.

"The United Nations and sporting world enjoy close and productive ties and sport can play a significant role in helping the world to ‘go green’. As the sporting world seeks to do more to rise to this challenge, let us all push harder towards our common goal of a beautiful and healthy environment – not only for the enjoyment of sport, but in pursuit of sustainable development for all."

H.E. Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, General Secretary of the Qatar Olympic Committee said: "It was an honour for Qatar to host this prestigious and influential conference, and to work in partnership with the IOC and UNEP to progress environmental sustainability.

"The Qatar Olympic Committee has a clear strategy for implementing environmentally friendly solutions at sports events, and we are continually investing to develop technology that will help us and the rest of the sporting world raise the standard in sustainability practices.

"The 9th World Conference on Sport and the Environment was an excellent opportunity to engage in the transfer of knowledge with colleagues in the sports community around the world, and I am delighted that with the Doha Declaration we have clear framework to address global environmental issues."

For more information, contact: www.olympic.qa.

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