UN report on sport for development calls for increased impact and collaboration

The report, published on 1 October 2024, examines the contribution of sport to achieving peace and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It describes progress on implementing the United Nations Action Plan on Sport for Development and Peace between 2022 and 2024.  

The report is available in four languages: 

• English 

• French 

• Spanish 

• Arabic 

In early 2024, the United Nations launched a call for organisations to share information on sport for development initiatives that were implement in the two previous years. The report therefore draws on contributions from leading global experts, national governments, the United Nations system and others.  

It focusses on progress in five priority areas: 

1. Social inclusion through sport 

2. Physical activity, physical education, and community-based participation in sport 

3. Gender equality in and through sport 

4. Peacebuilding and crime prevention 

5. Sustainable communities and climate action 

Each section reviews progress over the past two years and highlights gaps in implementation that prevent sport from being fully used as a tool for development and peace. 

The report also provides strategic recommendations to support the UN system, member states and the global sport ecosystem to implement the UN Action Plan. 

Did you know?
sportanddev made a detailed submission to the 2024 report, highlighting how the platform and our community contribute to the UN Action Plan on Sport for Development and Peace. 

sportanddev executive director Dr Ben Sanders also chaired a UN expert group meeting on peace, sport, and the SDGs, as part of the consultations contributing to the report.