Qatar model: WHA adopts Qatar-led resolutionon boosting health through sport events
QNA
GENEVA: The World Health Assembly has officially adopted a resolution titled “Strengthening Health and Well-Being through Sport Events” during the meetings of 77th World Health Assembly (WHA).
Minister of Public Health (MoPH) and head of Qatar’s delegation H E Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari welcomed the adoption of the resolution by the 77th WHA, highlighting its significant impact on promoting health and well-being.
The Minister said: “We have witnessed the powerful impact that major sport events can have on promoting health and well-being through the Sport for Health initiative. The initiative is a partnership between Qatar and the World Health Organization, in collaboration with International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.”
Dr. Al Kuwari noted that the official adoption of this resolution serves as a lasting legacy for the Sport for Health initiative and provides a framework through which future sports events can be leveraged to enhance and protect health.
The resolution was first introduced by the State of Qatar during the 154th session of the WHO Executive Board in January 2024. It was co-sponsored by several countries, including Belarus, China, Egypt, the European Union and its 27 member states, Iraq, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Oman, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
The Executive Board unanimously adopted the resolution, which has now been officially endorsed by the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA).
The resolution recognizes the crucial role of sports in promoting health and well-being, the importance of sports events in reaching large populations, its impact on society at all levels, and its ability to influence human behavior, well-being, and physical and mental health.
It determines an array of recommendations, including encouraging countries to leverage the power of sports events to address broader public health challenges, implement effective, evidence-based measures to promote health at sport events at the international, regional, and national levels and in community-level sports environments; facilitate and enhance capacities in health emergency preparedness, readiness and response and plan activities following a risk-based approach.
