World
Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam signed the Framework in a special
ceremony today in Paris, on the occasion of the IOC’s Climate Action Awards,
alongside a host of athletes and dignitaries.
PARIS—World
Aquatics has officially joined the United Nations' Sports for Climate Action
Framework, an initiative aimed at encouraging the global sports community to
contribute to worldwide climate action goals.
The
announcement was made today at a special event on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées
during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
With
aquatic sports strongly linked to the natural environment, the significance of
threats posed by climate change are great. The meet the challenge, World
Aquatics is evolving its sustainability efforts with the creation of an
ambitious sustainability strategy which supports the UN Sustainable Development
Goals and covers Environmental, Social and Governance issues. Joining the UN
Sports For Climate Action Framework marks a significant step and commitment on
this journey, helping to ensure that the sport's future is sustainable and that
its athletes and sports are protected.
World
Aquatics will align with its stakeholders to ensure that systematic efforts are
undertaken both in the short and long term to promote greater environmental
responsibility, to educate about climate action, promote sustainable and
responsible consumption and advocate for climate action through communication.
Progress
has been made around socially-focussed programmes such as the Discover Water
programme (also launched in Paris, on World Drowning Prevention Day – 25 July)
which aims to provide young children around the world with the necessary education and
skills to enjoy aquatics sports safely. This programme is
intrinsically linked to environmental protection, understanding that water
quality can affect safety and biodiversity.
To mark
the occasion of World Aquatics’ signing of the UN Sports for Climate Action
Framework, Lindita Xhaferi-Salihu, Business Engagement Lead for UN Global
Climate Action, made a keynote speech.
A panel
discussion was also held, led by Marie Sallois – Director of Corporate and
Sustainable Development at the IOC and featuring the 2023 IOC Climate Action
Awards 2023 finalists. The panel provided an engaging platform for open
dialogue, highlighting the need for collective action and innovative solutions
to protect the future of aquatics sports.
Today's
event also announced the IOC Climate Action Awards 2024 finalists. These awards
recognise the inspiring, innovative, and creative approaches to delivering a
better world. The finalists represent a diverse range of projects that are
leading the way for environmental responsibility from Olympic athletes,
National Olympic Committees and International Federations.
Speaking
about the signing, World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam stated: “Our
athletes compete in water. Preserving our seas, rivers and lakes is central to
the survival of our planet and our sport. It is imperative that we all work
together across the global sporting community - and beyond – for this critical
issue.”
A number
of aquatics athletes, including Anthony Ervin and Pernille Blume, attended the
event and discussed and expressed their support for World Aquatics’ aims. Their
presence demonstrated the growing recognition among athletes of the importance
of protecting the planet.
World
Aquatics' signing of the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework during the
Olympic Games marks a significant step in the safeguarding of aquatic sports
and the world. With the support of athletes and experts, World Aquatics is
committed to making a lasting impact in this area.
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