QNA
New York
Qatar has launched “Scoring For The Goals” campaign at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters, as part of its preparations to host a sustainable version of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which is considered the most sustainable edition in the history of the international event.
Built on the General Assembly Resolution No 76/259, “Scoring For the Goals” highlights the value of football in enhancing sustainable development, peace, tolerance, inclusion and climate action. It also emphasizes the significance of unity for individuals and nations while enjoying the power of football when the World Cup kicks off on November 20, particularly in light of the need to use this power for a better future for the current and future generations, as well as the need to achieve the UN’s 17 goals to build a more sustainable, peaceful and prosperous planet for all humanity.
Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy Hassan Al Thawadi inaugurated the ceremony, which also witnessed the presence of high-level personalities from the teams of the other 31 countries that qualified for the tournament.
In his speech, Al Thawadi said, “Tonight’s gathering marks the commencement of Scoring For The Goals initiative led by Qatar and the Education Above All Foundation, an initiative designed to integrate and enhance football’s role as a vehicle to attain the targets comprising the 17 SDGs”.
He emphasized that “sport is uniquely equipped to realize the ambitions of the 2030 agenda”.
Commenting on the role of football in uniting peoples, he said “Football in particular breaks down barriers, creates friendships and enhances cultural understanding, no matter beliefs, nationality or economic status. Football touches our passion and brings out the best of us as individuals and human beings.....when harnessed properly, it profoundly improves the lives of all and transforms our world for the better.”
“This transformational spirit that we have long recognized is serving as the inspiration and guiding light for a successful bid to bring the FIFA World Cup to the Middle East and the Arab World for the first time”.
He noted that Qatar strongly urged the voting members that “the time is now to bring the World Cup to the Middle East.”
“In less than 60 days, our country and our region take central stage,” he said, highlighting the expected arrival of more than a million people, many of them for the first time, in addition to billions of people who will be watching the tournament on television and phones.
“Visitors and viewers will experience a country and region proud of its heritage and culture, warm and welcoming our guests and intensely passionate in our love of football,” he added.
Al Thawadi noted that the World Cup brings people together “in a way and at a scale that no platform can match” in an era where political division thrives, stressing the importance of treasuring “the platforms that really unite” amid disinformation and misinformation.
Al Thawadi said, “Now, the greatest legacy of this World Cup will be realized through people-to-people diplomacy, will be realized through the bonds created between peoples of vastly different backgrounds, and realizing that what unites us is more important than what divides us, celebrating with our differences and sharing our common humanity.”
He stressed that hosting of World Cup was inspiring for Qatar to undertake “social progress evidenced in national labor reforms.” It also led to creativity through Qatar’s commitment to hosting the most sustainable mega event in history and creating a human and economic legacy through programs aimed at providing hope and opportunities for young people in the region and beyond, he added.
He hailed Qatar’s global initiative for the development of sports, represented by the Generation Amazing Foundation which “is built around the goals of sustainable development and operates in more than 40 countries, and has already met its target of reaching one million beneficiaries ahead of the World Cup”.
“Scoring For The Goals” reflects the State of Qatar’s vision and unites ambition, actual solidarity and solutions to sustainable development goals, enabling the full potential of football to be realized, His Excellency added in conclusion.
The inauguration ceremony included a short video projection on the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals, and identified relevant topics through compelling images and narration, stressing that the world will meet on November 20 to witness the power of football as a tool to promote peace and development, respect for human rights, and achieve gender equality and empowerment, empower women, girls, youth and address climate change.
Held on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, the event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, President of the Republic of Ecuador Guillermo Lasso, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, President of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly Csaba Korosi, and Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina Mohammed.
The ceremony was also attended by Minister of Education and Higher Education HE Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, and Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the UN HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, along with several dignitaries and high-profile officials from the UN Secretariat General.Event highlights value of football in enhancing sustainable development, peace, tolerance, inclusion and climate action
