The Extraordinary Session and Joint meeting of CIGEPS and its Permanent Consultative Council, held in Geneva Switzerland from March 28 to 29, focused on strengthening the UN System’s and Member States’ Engagement in Sport for Development and Peace.

The Extraordinary Session and Joint meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Education and Sport (CIGEPS) and its Permanent Consultative Council was held in Geneva, Switzerland from March 28 to 29. Hosted by the United Nations Office at Geneva, the session focused on strengthening the UN System’s and Member States’ Engagement in Sport for Development and Peace (SDP). Agenda also included up-dates on implementation of the Kazan Action Plan (KAP) and revision of the CIGEPS Statutes.

The Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Education and Sport (CIGEPS) was established in 1978 to promote the role and value of sport and its inclusion in public policy. CIGEPS is comprised of expert representatives in the field of physical education and sport from 18 UNESCO Member States, each elected for a four year term. The Permanent Consultative Council (PCC), comprising key sport federations, UN agencies and NGOs, provides technical support and advice to the Committee.

During the Metting, Ms. Nada Al-Nashif, Assistant Director-General, Sector for Social and Huaman Sciences of UNESCO emphasized the power of sport saying “Sport can and does make a difference.“ On the last day of the meeting, she emphasized that the extraordinary session provided a platform for bigger range of actions and a catalyst for people who wish to serve in the realted field.