IOC calls for more cooperation between development finance and sports communities at UN Financing for Development Conference

03 July 2025 – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has called for the next steps in the growing cooperation between development finance institutions and the sporting movement during the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4). The role of sport as an important enabler of sustainable development and a tool to create safer communities was also highlighted during the event. 

The FFD4 was convened by the United Nations (UN) in Seville, Spain, and brought together heads of state, policymakers, development banks and civil society leaders. Key issues such as inequality, gender-based violence, climate change and the growing need for sustainable and inclusive financing solutions were at the forefront of discussions and were ultimately reflected in the final outcome document, the Sevilla Commitment.

IOC Member HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, speaking at the plenary session – “Financing Efforts to Build a Better World through Sport” – highlighted how investment in sport generates substantial social and economic returns, and called for enhanced cooperation: “Further joint action is required, notably through: the integration of sport-based investment into national financing frameworks and innovation strategies; the provision of innovative and blended financing to scale sport-based interventions; and assessing the transferability and use of social impact bonds and debt swaps to enable investment in preventative policies and programmes, including those utilising sport.”
 

Prince Feisal pointed to recent examples of successful collaboration, including the recent IOC Olympism365 Summit and Finance in Common Summit, as well as the Paris Summit on Sport for Sustainable Development in 2024, which led to concrete commitments and investments: “The Finance in Common Sport Coalition has committed to invest USD 10 billion in sport and sustainable development projects by 2030. The IOC has also increased its own budget dedicated to promoting the positive impact of sport worldwide by 10 per cent, reaching an unprecedented USD 650 million for 2025-2028.”

The ambitions set out by this Conference are ambitions shared by the International Olympic Committee. In us, you have a committed partner who shares your goal of realising sustainable development for all.

HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, IOC Member 

Sport as a tool to prevent violence

The IOC also co-organised a high-level side event titled “Financing to End Violence Against Women and Girls”, in partnership with the UN Spotlight initiative, UN Women, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the Government of Uganda and the Global Civil Society Reference Group.

The session brought together governments, civil society, international organisations and financial institutions to identify sustainable financing solutions to address gender-based violence. Delivering the opening remarks, Prince Feisal addressed the urgency of strengthening the support for sport-based approaches and partnerships that make them effective: “Are we ready to invest – not just in sport, but in the partnerships and leadership that drive real, lasting impact?” he asked.

Prince Feisal emphasised how sport, when delivered safely and inclusively, can be used to address violence, and highlighted how the IOC’s Olympism365 strategy is already reaching tens of millions of people through 550 sport-based initiatives in 175 countries.

“These programmes help advance gender equality, education, peacebuilding and protection – including efforts to challenge harmful norms and prevent violence against women and girls,” he said.

Another key initiative is the Safe Sport Regional Hub Initiative, which is currently being piloted in Southern Africa and the Pacific Islands.

“These hubs bring together governments, civil society, health and sport actors to co-create locally relevant solutions for prevention, response and long-term systems change,” Prince Feisal said. “They are designed to partner closely with civil society organisations, including those that provide safe, specialist support to women and girls affected by violence – such as shelters, survivor care services and community-led programmes.”

Prince Feisal concluded by highlighting how the collaboration between the IOC and the UN system, which covers multiple joint programmes across the SDGs, “continues to be a valued and strategic part of our work. These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to advancing global development through collective effort.”