Press Release No. L/19/2000
5 May 2000

I would like to extend my greetings to all who have gathered for this regional roundtable for Asia on sport for a culture of peace organized by the International Olympic Committee. I am particularly grateful to the International Olympic Committee for inviting the United Nations to attend. The United Nations family has a solid and growing record of cooperation with the International Olympic Committee. The IOC and such United Nations bodies as UNESCO, WHO, the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and others are working together on the ground to promote peace, respect for human rights and development through sport.

The principles and values that form the basis of the Olympic movement--fair play, peaceful competition and, above all, respect for the dignity of all human beings--are universally recognized as positive and constructive, both for individuals and for the societies in which they live. Thus there is a natural affinity between the Olympic movement and the United Nations, a unique and global organization dedicated to the peaceful settlement of disputes and to harmony among peoples and nations.

It is no surprise, then, that the United Nations General Assembly has repeatedly recognized the value of Olympic ideals, and that it has encouraged United Nations Member States to abide by the ekecheiria, or Olympic Truce. Indeed, at its most recent session, the General Assembly welcomed the International Olympic Committee's decision to "mobilize all international sports organizations and National Olympic Committees of the Member States to undertake concrete action at the local national, regional and world levels to promote and strengthen a culture of peace based on the spirit of the Olympic Truce."

This meeting is a significant step in this direction. I have no doubt that you will come away from this first regional roundtable with solid ideas for concrete action that will make sport an even greater part of the search for peace, human understanding and reconciliation. Sport has shown that it can build bridges across the lines that divide, and that it can inspire people--young and old alike--to do their best, both as individuals and as part of a team. The essence of sport is action, and that is what is needed now if we are to make the culture of peace a reality. The United Nations looks forward to working more closely with you in pursuit of this goal. In that hopeful spirit, please accept my best wishes for a fruitful gathering.