DUSHANBE, 07.05.2024 (NIAT Khovar) – The first global initiative proposed by the President of the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA), President of the Football Federation of Tajikistan H.E. Mr. Rustam Emomali was adopted by the UN General Assembly.

Sport, in particular football, plays a crucial role in promoting health and fostering a healthy lifestyle among humanity. Furthermore, it is an essential tool for promoting communication and fostering mutual understanding between diverse peoples and nations.

Football stands as a globally cherished sport, transcending national borders, language barriers and socio-economic disparities. It serves as a unifying force, bringing together people from all corners of the globe and speaking a universal language of unity.

In this context, on February 10, 2024, His Excellency Mr. Rustam Emomali, President of the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) and President of the Football Federation of Tajikistan for the first time proposed to the United Nations to recognize the global significance of football and to formally designate it through the adoption of a special resolution by the United Nations General Assembly as “World Football Day”.

In this regard, on May 7, 2024, during the 80th plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution “World Football Day”, which was prepared and facilitated by the Republic of Tajikistan, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the State of Libya.

Hence, the international community unanimously supported the initiative proposed by His Excellency Mr. Rustam Emomali, President of the Football Federation of the Republic of Tajikistan, to designate World Football Day worldwide.

The resolution is based on initiatives and proposals by UN Member States and recognizes the importance of that major international sporting events should be organized in the spirit of peace, mutual understanding, international cooperation, friendship and tolerance, without discrimination, and that the unifying and conciliative nature of such events should be respected.

The resolution also acknowledges the fundamental role of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association and the important role of regional and national football federations, as well as relevant associations, in promoting the game of football.

The operational part of the resolution encourages all Member States to support sport, including football, in its role as a tool to promote peace, development, the empowerment of women and girls, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, fostering social inclusion, intercultural dialogue and dialogue among civilizations.

The UN General Assembly has also decided to proclaim 25 May as World Football Day, as 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the first-ever international football tournament in history involving all regions as part of the 1924 Summer Olympic Games, held in Paris.

At the same time, the UNGA invites all Members States of the United Nations, members of the specialized agencies and observers of the General Assembly, as well as organizations of the United Nations system, in particular the Division for Inclusive Social Development of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the Secretariat, other international and regional organizations, academia, civil society, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders to observe World Football Day in an appropriate manner and in accordance with national priorities, and to disseminate the advantages of football for all, including through educational and public awareness raising activities.

The adoption of this document once again reaffirms the international community’s recognition of Tajikistan’s exemplary leadership in promoting a healthy lifestyle and fostering international sports cooperation for its global promotion. It demonstrates the international community’s full confidence in our initiatives and actions.