World Aquatics celebrates International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

This is the essence of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), a United Nations celebration that highlights the role of sport in building inclusive and united communities.

Sport has the power to bring people together, to break down barriers, and create positive social change. This is the essence of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), a United Nations celebration that highlights the role of sport in building inclusive and united communities.

At World Aquatics, we are committed to ensuring aquatic sports are accessible to all. This year’s theme, “Levelling the Playing Field: Sport for Social Inclusion,” ties in closely with World Aquatics’ commitment to ensuring everyone can access and benefit from aquatic sports around the world. As we mark this important day, we sat down with the World Aquatics development team to discuss our ongoing efforts to make aquatics more accessible, our achievements in 2024 and our key development goals for 2025.

Embracing the theme of inclusion: How is World Aquatics working to make aquatic sports more accessible?

At World Aquatics, we believe aquatic sports are for everyone. However, we understand that access to safe swimming facilities and training opportunities can vary across different regions. To bridge this gap, we are actively investing in infrastructure, education and grassroots programmes to ensure more people can experience the benefits of aquatic sports.

One of our main initiatives is the Pools for All programme, which aims to provide National Federations with pools to support the growth of the sport. A key milestone was achieved in 2024 with the opening of Bhutan’s first-ever competition swimming pool in Thimphu. Situated at an altitude of 2,400 metres (8,200 feet), it is officially the highest competition-size swimming pool in the world. This historic project, made possible through a strong partnership between World Aquatics and the Bhutan Aquatics Federation, is a major milestone for the country’s swimming programme, offering aspiring swimmers a dedicated space to train, compete and enjoy the sport. A similar project is under construction in the Maldives, and more are expected to be announced in the coming months.

In addition, we have a strong focus on water safety education. In July 2024, we launched Discover Water on World Drowning Prevention Day during the Paris 2024 Olympics, an initiative aimed at equipping children aged 6 to 12 with essential water safety skills through a physical literacy approach. However, its impact extends beyond this age group, as its educational tools and resources can benefit people of all ages. We are aiming to work with all of our 210 National Federations to ensure this programme reaches as many communities as possible, particularly those where water safety education is limited. At the end of April, for example, training through Discover Water will begin in Malawi, and in the coming years we plan to expand the programme to create opportunities for children around the world to discover all aquatic sports.

Through our investment into these initiatives, we are breaking down access barriers and ensuring that aquatic sports remain open and inclusive for all.

Looking back at 2024, what were the key achievements in World Aquatics’ development programmes?

The past year was one of significant progress for World Aquatics. In 2024, we allocated USD 4.5 million to support the development and global expansion of the sport. This funding supported projects in 169 countries, benefiting over 395,000 athletes and demonstrating our commitment to long-term, sustainable growth.

The Pools for All initiative was a major highlight, with the opening of Bhutan’s swimming pool representing a key step in our mission to improve access to high-quality aquatic facilities. This achievement underscores our belief that access to proper infrastructure is fundamental to the development of the sport, and we are proud to have played a role in making it a reality.

Another milestone was the introduction of Discover Water, which has already started making a positive impact by equipping children with vital water safety knowledge. Drowning remains a significant global issue, and this programme is an essential step towards reducing risks and ensuring that young people can engage with aquatic environments safely and confidently.

During Paris 2024, World Aquatics also joined the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action Framework, which reinforces our commitment to ensuring a sustainable future for aquatic sports and contributing to worldwide climate action goals.

Looking ahead, what are the key grassroots development goals for World Aquatics in 2025?

Building on the successes of 2024, we have ambitious and realistic plans for 2025. Our focus is primarily on infrastructure development, environmental sustainability and grassroots engagement.

Through the Pools for All programme, we are set to complete the construction of a new swimming pool in the Maldives by May 2025. This will provide swimmers and aspiring swimmers in the region with access to a high-quality training facilities. Additionally, discussions are underway for more facilities across Africa and the Americas.

Sustainability and the protection of aquatic environments is another key priority for World Aquatics. During the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025, we will launch our comprehensive Sustainability Strategy Blueprint, that has been developed in close consultation with our global community. This plan will outline our commitment to environmental responsibility, supporting the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action Framework and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With aquatic sports deeply connected to the natural environment, the threat posed by climate change is significant. We are taking proactive steps to protect our sport and its athletes by promoting sustainable practices such as solar-heated pools, recycled-material trophies and paper-free event management.

Another key initiative for 2025 is the expansion of the Discover Water programme. This goes beyond simply teaching swimming; it promotes water safety as a lifelong skill, highlighting its benefits for health, enjoyment and safety. We continually look to expand the programme and organise more training initiatives worldwide.

As we continue to grow and evolve, our development programmes remain focused on four key areas: athletes, entourage, membership and global society. These pillars guide our work as we strive to create meaningful, lasting change in the world of aquatics, ensuring that everyone has a chance to experience the enjoyment that comes from the sports.

On this International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, World Aquatics reaffirms its commitment to using sport as a force for good. By continuing to invest in infrastructure and education we are not only levelling the playing field - we are ensuring that everyone, can experience the life-changing benefits of our sports.