(ATR) Thomas Bach will deliver a speech at the UN General Assembly and meet more than a dozen heads of state in his bid to enhance the status of sport in Sustainable Development Goals.
Bach headed to New York Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s UN Sustainable Development Summit 2015. He will speak on Saturday.
On Friday, the summit will adopt the post-2015 development agenda, which will be followed by three days of debate about how to realize these objectives.
Bach and Pope Francis are among world leaders addressing the assembly. The IOC chief may meet the pope during their time in New York.
Sport contribution to global sustainable development will be recognized for the first time. The declaration highlights what sport can be used as a tool for development in peace, health, education and environment.
One of Bach’s Agenda 2020 reform promises concerns the vital role of sport in society.
"It shows that with Olympic Agenda 2020 we are aligned with the United Nations post-2015 Development Agenda," Bach said in a statement.
"This new agenda specifically acknowledges the important role that sport plays promoting healthy lifestyles, education and social inclusion. It recognizes the benefits of sport for all and its ability to empower women and young people."
Four-time Olympian and IOC member Angela Ruggiero is accompanying Bach on the trip.
UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon asked all delegations to include one representative aged 30 or under in their official delegations to "acknowledge the enthusiasm, interest and involvement of young people in formulating the post-2015 agenda", the IOC said.
Bach will hold talks with Ban and other heads of state and government to discuss UN goals and the role of sport in society.
The IOC president returns to Lausanne on Monday.
As a permanent observer to the United Nations, the IOC has actively supported proposals for the post-2015 goals.
The role of sport was affirmed in the 2005 World Summit Declaration. Its significance was reinforced in the adoption of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace celebrated annually on April 6.
During discussions on Agenda 2020, the IOC stepped up its efforts to strengthen its cooperation and collaboration with international organisations such as the United Nations.
In April 2014, the IOC signed a MoU with the UN aimed at strengthening collaboration between the two bodies. The UN General Assembly passed a resolution last October that "encourages member states to give sport due consideration in the context of the post‐2015 development agenda".
Reported by Mark Bisson
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