By Amin Kef (Ranger)
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio attended the International Summit on Sport for Sustainable Development and extended his gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron and President Thomas Bach of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for spearheading the important initiative.
The summit, held in Paris on Thursday July 25, 2024, brought together over 60 Heads of State and Government, as well as leaders of international organizations, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres. Discussions focused on leveraging sport as a catalyst for sustainable development for future generations.
The summit concluded with a series of ambitious commitments across five key areas: Education and Employment, Health and Nutrition, Equality and Inclusion, Financing and Impact Measurement and Sustainability and Legacy.
Among the significant announcements were a USD 10 billion commitment by a coalition of public development banks and financial institutions to invest in community-based, inclusive and sustainable sports infrastructure by 2030. The Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) pledged to install 1,000 sustainable football pitches in schools, supporting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The IOC announced a 10% budgetary increase dedicated to Olympic Solidarity, amounting to USD 650 million for 2025-2028. Additionally, the National Basketball Association (NBA), in partnership with the French Development Agency and other partners, pledged to construct 1,000 basketball courts in Africa over the next decade.
Following the summit, President Bio expressed his gratitude to the organizers on the social media platform X, stating, “I extend my gratitude to my dear friend and colleague, President Emmanuel Macron, and to the President of the IOC, Thomas Bach, for spearheading this important Summit which has underscored the pivotal role of sport as a catalyst for sustainable development.”
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio was among the world leaders hosted by President Emmanuel Macron at a reception at the Elysee Palace on Friday July 26, 2024, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris. President Macron, accompanied by his wife, Brigitte Macron, warmly welcomed President Bio and over 70 Heads of State and Government on a majestic red carpet laid out in the courtyard of the Elysee Palace.
Notable attendees included UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Distinguished guests also included US First Lady Jill Biden and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Following the reception, President Bio and other world leaders proceeded to the banks of the Seine River, where thousands of spectators gathered to witness the glittering opening ceremony of the Olympic Games 2024. The event marked the beginning of a global celebration of sportsmanship and unity, showcasing the best of international athletic talent. The 2024 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad and branded as Paris 2024 will run from the 26 July to 11 August 2024.
